Ok, you finally made time in your busy schedule to get “the tox” but you have that big event just around the corner. Will your Botox ‘kick in’ in time?
We get this question a lot! The answer is, it depends on several factors but, we can give you some general guidelines.
Why Doesn’t Botox Work Right Away?
Unlike dermal fillers, we know that you cannot see immediate results from Botox. It takes time for the botulinum toxin to travel to the nerves. Once there, the tox attaches itself to what are called ‘binding sites’ where it will then start to inhibit the activity of the nerve and reduce your ability to move those muscles.
While this process only takes 24-72 hours, it takes longer before the muscles are immobilized to a point where it is noticeable.
Are There Treated Areas that “Kick In” Faster?
Generally, you will see signs of the toxin working in your crow’s feet sooner than most other areas of the face. Why is this? Because you are treating smaller muscles in that area of the face vs. your forehead and brow area for example.
Why Is Gradual Onset Better?
The benefit of this gradual and less dramatic onset of the toxin can really be appreciated when you are reaching the end of your 3-4 month post injection time period. At that time, your muscles will slowly start to wake up and you will begin to see a small amount of movement that gradually increases. Personally, I prefer this versus waking up and finding out that all of your tox has worn off overnight and you are back to 100% movement!
So, What is the Verdict Here?
The short answer to ‘How Long Does it Take for my Botox to Work?” is 7-14 days. The wide range is dependent both on the individual’s metabolism but also that gradual onset we talked about. Meaning, you may see reduced movement in some areas in the 5-7 day range but to experience the full effects it is best to wait until 14 days. That’s also why we tell you to make your appointment 14 days before any big events. We want everyone to see you at your most non-wrinkled version 🙂
New to Botox or looking for a new provider in Columbus? We specialize in natural results! Book a Cosmetic Injectable consults HERE for no cost and let’s chat about your goals! We don’t do high pressure sales and are price transparent.