Can’t wait to enjoy a smoother, more awake, and younger appearance after wrinkle-relaxing injectables? While neuromodulators are some of the most simple and straightforward cosmetic treatments available, one of the things patients should be aware of is that—unlike facial fillers—they won’t get instant results from wrinkle injections. Our Philadelphia area-based practice often sees patients who are curious about how long it takes for BOTOX® to start working and why it takes some time for it to kick in.
BOTOX® arrives in a powdered form and it’s diluted with saline so that it can be made into an injectable. It contains a neurotoxin that’s derived from a bacterium and works by temporarily relaxing some of the facial muscles that cause wrinkles.
Usually, it will take between three to five days for the full effects of these injections to be seen. The onset of results varies depending on which areas are treated and how much of the injectable is used. For example, if fewer units are used for larger muscles, the onset may be longer. Results usually appear faster when injections are used for smaller, more superficial wrinkles, but they may take longer to show when they’re used on deeper, etched-in lines such as pronounced forehead wrinkles. The onset mostly depends on the concentration of the product that’s injected and the way in which it’s injected into the muscle.
The reason why it takes a longer time for BOTOX® to “settle in” is because it takes time for the active ingredient to “inactivate” the muscle. The injections work by preventing the release of a chemical called acetylcholine. Once injected under the skin, the solution is quickly absorbed by nerve cells and binds to a connection point between the nerve and muscle. Nevertheless, it takes time for this to shut down the chemical messenger that tells the muscle to move, thereby stopping or weakening that muscle’s contraction.
Since everyone’s metabolism, skin thickness, muscle density, and other factors are different, the time frame for results will vary. Patients who have thicker skin or stronger muscles may find that it takes a longer time for the injections to work.
Get more advice about wrinkle injections from our Philadelphia-area team at Chapin Aesthetics if you’re searching for ways to soften or prevent expression wrinkles on the face. Call us at (267) 880-0810 or fill out a contact form to set up an appointment to discuss BOTOX®.