Botox is the most sought-after minimally invasive cosmetic treatment on the market. If you’re considering Botox, are you curious as to what happens when you stop Botox injection treatments? Get the answer to this question and many more in this post.
If you’re a human walking this earth, you’ve likely heard of Botox. Botox is the #1 minimally invasive cosmetic treatment around the world. Men and women alike turn to Botox to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to improve their appearance and turn back the hands of time.
Suppose you’re considering a Botox treatment or you’re new to Botox. In that case, you might be wondering what happens when you stop Botox treatments and Botox wears off. Do the wrinkles come back? Will you look older? Does stopping Botox age you?
To answer these questions and more, we turn to Nurse Injector and Advanced Practice Nurse Marcy Bouillion.
What is Botox, and how does it work?
Botox has been FDA-approved for cosmetic use since 2002 to treat and temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe crow’s feet lines, forehead lines, and frown lines between the eyebrows in individuals 18 and over. As a neuromodulator, Botox works to minimize the movement of muscles in the treatment area.
“Once injected into the muscles, over time, Botox causes the muscles to relax and move less, which causes an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” shares Bouillion.
The improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles leads to a more rested, youthful appearance.
What does Botox treat?
Botox is most often used to help reduce brow furrows and vertical lines that appear between our brows, the horizontal lines that appear on our foreheads as we age, and crow’s feet at the outside corners of our eyes. Botox is also used for common off-label treatments, including:
- Cobblestone chin
- Lifting the outside corners of the eyebrows
- Thinning of the jawline
- Lifting the corners of the mouth
- Bunny lines across the bridge of the nose
What happens when you stop Botox?
One of the most pressing questions people have is, “What happens when you stop Botox?”
When Botox injections stop, the fine lines and wrinkles you had prior to beginning Botox will begin to reappear. This is due to the fact that your muscles are able to move and contract again.
According to Bouillion, when we cease to get Botox treatments, our wrinkles, and specifically, fine lines, will gradually begin to return.
“This is primarily because the muscles in our face – platysmal bands – and so on, will begin to be able to contract, or strongly work, again,” states Bouillion, “The wrinkles won’t be any more severe than they were before you started getting Botox injections though, which is fortunate.”
In some instances, patients even perceive that their lines and wrinkles are less severe than before they began Botox treatments. Botox is also known to prevent wrinkles from appearing, making it a treatment many begin in their 20s.
Will I look older if I stop getting Botox?
As Bouillion shared above, the wrinkles you had prior to getting Botox won’t be any more severe than they were before you started getting Botox injections. Therefore, from a medical perspective, you don’t look older when Botox wears off. What tends to happen is that people are so used to the smooth appearance and reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that when the lines and wrinkles start to reappear after Botox injections stop, they’re a bit shocked – there’s the perception that you appear older, when you actually don’t.
“If a patient has regular Botox treatments and then decides to stop treatments for any reason, they will not necessarily look ‘older’ immediately,” Bouillion continues, “That being said, we will look older with time. These fine lines, wrinkles, and some skin texture effects begin to reappear when you stop Botox, which can give the appearance of ‘aging’ more rapidly in some aspects. However, wrinkles and fine lines aren’t worse than they were before getting Botox, though you can’t stop the natural aging process, either.”
Bouillion also points out that every patient is different, taking into consideration genetics, sun exposure, skincare routines, and so on, all of which impact our skin’s appearance now and over time.
How many units of Botox will I need?
Though Botox treatments are tailored to meet the needs of each individual, there are some generalized amounts of Botox for treatment areas, as determined by Allergan, the makers of Botox. The generalized amounts that are FDA-approved are:
- 20 units of Botox for frown lines.
- 24 units for crows feet.
- 20 units for forehead lines.
“Botox – and all Neurotoxins – affect patients differently! Finding the right dose, as well as designing an effective treatment plan, including the areas to focus on, are very patient-specific,” shares Bouillion, “Communication with your provider or injector is critical to ensure you are both on the same page! Modifying your treatment and tweaking details is almost always needed, and definitely normal, especially as we begin to age.”
It’s also important to know that you might need different amounts of units with each treatment. Over time, you might need fewer units to maintain results, for example, or the opposite could happen. If you want less muscle movement than you achieved in your prior treatment, then you’ll likely need more units of Botox. On the other hand, if you’d like more movement, then fewer units will likely be needed.
How often do I need a Botox treatment?
Botox results last for up to three to six months. The dosage amount and treatment areas can impact how long Botox lasts. For example, a lighter dosage of Botox might only last for six to eight weeks, as a lighter dosage allows for more muscle movement that can impact how long Botox lasts – the more movement, the faster Botox often wears off. Results in the crow’s feet area, for example, often only last for two to three months, given how frequently we smile and move the muscles around our eyes.
“To maintain results, patients should receive Botox injections when the dosage begins to wear off, which can vary between individuals,” Bouillion shares.
How long does it take for Botox to work?
Different factors impact how long it takes Botox to work, including the treatment area and individual chemistry. Often, the finer the line, the faster the results you see. Conversely, lines and wrinkles that are deeper, such as the brow furrow between our eyebrows, may take a bit longer to fully respond to Botox injections. Generally speaking, you can expect the beautiful results of your Botox treatment in as little as five days, with maximum results appearing within 14 days.
As Bouillion previously noted, client treatment varies, and everyone is different, requiring an individualized treatment plan. The professionals at DermaTouch RN are highly trained and know the amount of concentration of Botox product to inject in order to help you achieve the results you’re seeking.
Consider a Botox treatment consultation for answers
If you’re on the fence about whether or not Botox is for you, or you still have questions about what happens when you stop getting Botox, consider a Botox consultation with your local MedSpa or Botox provider. At DermaTouch RN, you can book a consultation online 24/7!
Marcy Bouillion, MSN, FNP-BC
NURSE INJECTOR, ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE
Marcy graduated with a Bachelor‘s in Nursing from the University of Louisiana and a Master’s in Science and Nursing from Chamberlain University. She has background experience in Labor and Delivery/Critical Prenatal Care, Women’s health, and Cardiac/Vascular cosmetic procedures. Marcy has had extensive hands-on training with the Allergan Medical Institute, SkinMedica and Dr. Teller. All include education in courses pertaining to Neuromodulators, Dermal Fillers, as well as advanced training in anatomy and physiology of the face and head.
DermaTouch RN offers minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments for men and women in Houston, San Antonio, Spring and Cypress, as well as the surrounding areas of Texas. We are the largest aesthetic practice in the Houston area, and all of our medical spa treatments are performed by a team of nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and aestheticians who receive continuing education to remain abreast of emerging treatments that benefit our patients. We invite you to learn more about our office before your consultation.
