The botulinum toxin, popularly known as Botox, is one of the favorite cosmetic procedures for preventing wrinkles and ensuring youthfulness during the natural aging process. However, despite the satisfactory results, the short duration of the substance — from 4 to 6 months — tends to be a downside for its users.
Although the duration of Botox’s effect is naturally shorter compared to hyaluronic acid fillers (12 months), for example, it is possible to extend its results. According to dermatologist Larissa Oliveira, from Les Peaux clinic, there are five reasons that can impact the durability of the treatment with botulinum toxin; check out what they are and learn how to prolong the effects of Botox.
1 – Quality of the product
“There are three established brands in Brazil and soon a fourth one. And only these brands guarantee longer-lasting results of the toxin,” Larissa highlights. Therefore, the guidance is to look for trustworthy professionals and inquire about the product’s origin.
2 – Dosage and techniques
The technique regarding the dosage of the application should also be considered. According to the dermatologist, a subdose of the toxin “will last less over time”. “There are several scientific studies with evidence that guide us on the precise location and the range of the amount of units that should be used in each muscle group depending on its thickness, location, and functionality,” she informs.
3 – Hyper muscle contraction
Physical activities are essential for quality of life. However, for those who use Botox, practices that demand a lot of strength or that result in “many grimaces, due to untreated myopia,” for example, can reflect on the durability of the procedure.
In these cases, Larissa’s guidance is to maintain the regularity of the application, as per the patient’s needs, and to associate it with other procedures that stimulate collagen production or use hyaluronic acid for myomodulation (mechanical modulation of muscle activity).
4 – Smoking
Smoking is a habit that promotes aging, as it increases the resorption of collagen. Therefore, it also interferes with the results of the botulinum toxin.
“In these patients, strategies to stimulate collagen should be implemented more intensely and with a smaller interval, as the resorption is accelerated,” she points out.
5 – Diet
“Both Zinc deficiency and excessive sugar consumption, through the glycation process, increase the resorption of collagen, making wrinkles return more rapidly,” explains the doctor.
Therefore, paying attention to the diet is also important in this respect.
Thus, those suffering from Zinc deficiency should consult a doctor for the proper nutritional supplementation. Besides, all Botox users should maintain a less inflammatory diet, aiming to reduce the glycation process.
“The ideal would be to also drastically reduce the sugar from the diet, always with suitable nutritional guidance,” Larissa concludes.
