How Long Does It Take For Botox Injections To Work?

The medical beauty industry has always provided shortcuts to our grandest desires. The only problem is that it's not always instant, especially for non-surgical procedures that can be done in 30 minutes or less. For example, Botox, a neurotoxin injection that lifts and treats wrinkles, is just one non-invasive fast track to younger skin (via Mayo Clinic).

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By temporarily preventing muscles from moving, the speedy and safe procedure is able to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, particularly around the forehead and crow's feet areas (via Healthline). For those not wanting to go under the knife, it can even act as a facelift by tightening the jawline and smoothing the neck area, per Newsweek. Its benefits don't stop there, as its uses extend outside the cosmetic world. A quick injection can also help with migraines, severe sweating, and even an overactive bladder, according to WebMD.

It's important to know that Botox has an element of patience, however. You're not going to look differently getting out of the chair before you sat down. But just how long is it going to take?

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You can see Botox results in as early as a week

According to Dr. Oscar Trujillo, a facial plastic surgeon from the Colombia University Irving Medical Center, patients can start to see their Botox come to life in as little as three days, with the maximum results shining through in about 10 days (via Healthline). Several factors can affect how quickly you see results, including the area being treated, the dosage size, and muscle thickness (via Solstice Med Spa). Doctors say that if you are someone with stronger facial muscles or are trying the procedure for the first time later in life, you can expect a little longer of delay as your body is processing its reaction to the initial injection site (via ProMD Health).

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The most important thing to know is that the results are not immediate. So, staring at yourself in the mirror for the first 24 hours won't help. Instead, be mindful of the many factors affecting botox activation.

First-timers shouldn't rush the process

When starting Botox, a trustworthy doctor will know to start with a lower dosage to see how your body responds. The last thing you want is to inject enormous amounts of units into your face having never tried it. This also means that your first time is really about testing your reaction to the product. Starting with smaller units might take a couple of visits to reach your maximum results, and if taken very slowly and cautiously, it could take months (via Solstice Med Spa). Many Botox lovers say they remember their first time, reminiscing that it didn't even work because it took nearly two weeks to see results (via Newsweek). It's important to recognize early on that your body is taking time to respond to a foreign agent. Patience is the name of the game here.

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To get the most out of your visit, there are a few rules to follow so you don't waste the injections. First, it's important to avoid alcohol and aspirin the days leading up to your visit and a few days after (via Greatist). Both can cause bruising at the injection site and should be avoided at all costs. Also, resist touching or massaging the area after treatment. Once you leave the cosmetologist, it's best to let the Botox work its magic on its own time.

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