Botox is a pretty widespread, routine, in clinic treatment that we’ve administered to so many patients over the years—it’s our most popular treatment. There are several questions that frequently come up about these injections, and today we’re breaking down two of the main ones: is there anything we can do to make the results of our Botox treatment last longer? And are there things we should avoid doing or putting on our skin so as not to make our Botox wear off too quickly?
The short answer to both of these questions is no and no. But let us elaborate and make it make sense. It’s what we love to do 😉
Can I make my Botox last longer?
The answer to this is unfortunately no. Nothing you do can really make your neuromodulator, whether it’s Botox, Dypsort, or Xeomin, last longer. Trust us, you’d be the first to know if there was such a thing. Anyone who tells you they have a cream or a treatment that promises this is, well, frankly just wrong.
There is one study that shows that Dysport kicks in faster and therefore in theory lasts longer, but the difference in longevity is truly not very long and most patients typically won’t notice the difference.
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On the flip side, nothing you do between your Botox treatments will make it wear off more quickly either. That being said, it is possible that you may have noticed that one treatment wore off more quickly or lasted longer than the previous one. There are so many factors that can contribute to this including dosage, muscle strength, environmental conditions, and even things we can’t really explain.
For example, after the initial Covid-19 shutdown in March 2020, patients around the world noticed that their Botox either didn’t work or didn’t last very long. It affected all neurotoxins and is still unexplained. Super strange!
The takeaway from all of this is that, no, nothing you do or use in between your Botox appointments can make it last longer or wear off more quickly, but there are things you can and should do to maintain the overall health of your skin.
Does it matter what skincare products you use between Botox treatments?
Yes and no! Again, while nothing can affect the actual results or longevity of your treatment, high quality skincare products will make your skin look better, and your skin will be in better overall shape.
Taking good care of your skin between your appointments might even allow you to squeeze in a few extra weeks out of your previous treatment, and you may not get that “WHOA I NEED TO GET MY BOTOX DONE” shock one morning when you look in the mirror.
Basically, we’d say that a good skincare regimen is like an insurance policy for your in clinic treatments. We always recommend combining any in clinic treatments with a healthy at home skincare routine. Botox won’t improve textural irregularities, pigment, or acne. It only addresses wrinkles caused by muscle contraction.
A combination approach though, will really step up your results, giving your skin not only a smooth look, but an overall rejuvenated and glowing complexion.
Some of our favourite skincare products that address what Botox doesn’t
We like to start things strong with a reliable, pH-balanced cleanser. What may seem like a straightforward step could be the wee cog that amps up your skincare game to 100.
Dampen your hands and add a pump or two of your favourite face wash. Lather and apply it directly to your dry skin and gently massage for 30-60 seconds. Allowing for longer contact time will ensure all the benefits you’re paying for in your cleanser are actually making a difference in your skin.
During dry, colder months, Cleanser I is the way to go to gently prep our skin for the next step, toning with Solution I. It’s a brightening chemical exfoliant that we apply AM and PM to help brighten and tone the skin. To keep things simple in the morning, we’ll end our routine with an even layer of SPF 45 and our Firm, a cult-favourite moisturizer that hydrates and plumps the skin.
When the day’s done and the evening rolls around, this time is one of our favourite self-care moments. It’s also the perfect time to experiment with your skincare routine and apply a few heavy hitters to work while you sleep.
After cleansing and toning, we’ll apply our AHA Cream. It’s a leave-on exfoliant that will transform your complexion into baby-smooth skin come morning. But before we apply it on our face and neck, we like to boost its performance with a scoop of Super C mixed in. This PM combo will have you glowing.
On off nights, we like to alternate the routine with a retinol application. For those who are new to retinol or have a more delicate complexion, Retinol 30 is the perfect treatment to introduce vitamin A into your routine. It’ll resurface your skin’s texture while jumpstarting collagen production to literally strengthen your skin. If you haven’t already hopped on the retinol train; let this be your sign.
