Tips To Make Your Botox Treatments Last Longer
We work hard for the money! For that reason, whenever we spend a good chunk of change on something, we usually do our best to preserve it. It's no different when it comes to the expensive beauty treatments we invest in over time. That being said, we know you probably want to make sure your injectable treatments, like Botox, are preserved for as long as possible, too.
MedicalNewsToday describes Botox as a drug that weakens or paralyzes muscles, and when used in small doses, it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the forehead and eyes. Botox is also used to treat some medical conditions, like excessive sweating, crossed eyes, and migraines. The effects of Botox are temporary, usually wearing off between three and 12 months. When you're using it cosmetically, there are some things you can do to extend the life of your Botox results. This can save you from spending too soon after your last appointment and keeping you looking fresh-faced for longer.
Skincare tips for maintaining Botox
Just because you got the injections and have the forehead of a 17-year-old doesn't mean you should forgo your skincare routine. In fact, some of your products may help preserve the life of your Botox. We all know that protecting our skin from ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays is of the utmost importance, but did you know that your sunscreen can also keep your Botox intact for longer? When speaking with Well+Good, dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner confirmed that ultraviolet (UV) exposure is detrimental to both your skin cells and the lifespan of the neurotoxin in Botox. By protecting your skin from the sun, you can also protect the integrity of the Botox.
Building on that, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King told Well+Good that topical antioxidant serums, like vitamin C, can provide added protection from free radicals that damage your skin and the Botox within it.
As always, hydration is everything. Dermatologist Dr. Julie Russak recommended the moisturizing agent hyaluronic acid while speaking to Well+Good, as it's effective in keeping inflammation in the skin at bay. Dr. Russak explained that minimizing inflammation decreases how fast your body breaks down proteins, helping Botox last longer.
Lifestyle tips for sustaining Botox
Applying lotions and potions isn't the only thing you can do to prolong the effects of Botox. Believe it or not, your workout routine may also have an effect on the longevity of your Botox. When speaking with Shape, consulting plastic surgeon Dr. Alan Durkin described how your metabolic rate can also affect your Botox. He went on to note that more sedentary people might enjoy an additional month of results in comparison to those who are very active. While this certainly isn't to say that you should give up working out, limiting the number of hardcore workouts you do might be able to give you a little extra time between appointments.
You can also relax your way to longer Botox results. According to Well+Good, dermatologists often recommend meditation as a tool for extending the life of Botox injections. Dr. Zeichner points out that frowning and scowling can put pressure on the muscles the Botox works to relax, which may actually shorten the duration of its effects. Take a deep breath and a nice walk outside (with sunscreen on, of course) and enjoy your smooth skin for longer.