How to Avoid Botox Not Working and Optimize Its Effects
Botox injections are an anti-aging treatment which, when applied correctly, have high effectiveness. It’s a non-invasive, relatively painless procedure using anesthesia with no downtime. As such, it’s a popular treatment, and many people choose to treat their wrinkles and lines by getting botox in Bangkok.
However, as with any treatment, there are instances when it doesn’t work as expected, which is frustrating, not to mention a drain on one’s resources. Let’s learn more about this treatment and how we can ensure it’s effective.
What is Botox and How Does it Work?
Botox injections use small amounts of purified botulinum toxin Type A, a neurotoxin which can prevent muscle movement. This is a temporary solution for cosmetic concerns such as smoothing facial wrinkles and lines. Meanwhile, the Type B form of botulinum toxin treats conditions like neck spasms, overactive sweat glands and bladder, lazy eyes, and migraines caused by teeth-grinding.
Botox injections are usually used to cosmetically treat dynamic wrinkles and lines which appear when specific facial muscles move repetitively, such as frown lines, crow’s feet, and laugh lines. The toxins in botox act as a muscle relaxant, blocking the chemicals that cause nerves to contract. This results in less movement of the muscles, decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and lines.
What Causes Botox to Stop Working?
It’s not common, but there are cases where the patient’s body builds an autoimmune response or resistance to botox over time. This happens when the body produces neutralizing antibodies, causing the botox treatment to have a lesser or shorter effectivity. Improper product handling, an inappropriate injection technique, or incorrect product dosing may also cause the botox treatment to be less effective.
In addition, there are risks to getting botox injections that may affect its results. Botox may result in pain, swelling, bruising, or infection at the injection site. Other side effects may include headache or flu-like symptoms, a crooked smile or drooling, crooked eyebrows, and droopy eyelids.
Consult a doctor if you experience symptoms such as allergic reactions, muscle weakness, problems with vision or breathing, trouble talking or swallowing, or loss of bladder control. Some people may also have an allergic reaction to botox, causing hives, wheezing, itching, or swelling on the lips, face, and throat.
As such, this treatment isn’t recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. People with existing neuromuscular disorders, such as Lou Gehrig’s Disease or Lambert-Eaton Syndrome, or respiratory conditions, such as asthma or emphysema, should also avoid getting botox.
How Do You Optimize Botox Efficacy?
The effects of a botox treatment can typically last four to six months. However, its duration can be affected by various factors, including your metabolism, the size and depth of wrinkles and lines, and the area being treated. For instance, the forehead and between the eyebrows are the areas where the effects last longest. Results also tend to last longer between treatments when you get botox more frequently.
Other factors that affect botox efficacy include the quality and amount of the botox injected, and the skill used to inject the solution accurately into the target muscles. This is why seeking treatment from certified medical professionals is crucial.
Here are a few ways to prevent your botox from not working:
Avoid taking blood thinners or medicines with blood thinning effects, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, a few days before your botox treatment to lower the risk of bleeding.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine 24 hours before the treatment.
Ensure the botox injection is safe by checking if it’s FDA-certified.
Don’t lie down for at least three to four hours after the injection.
Don’t rub the injection area, exercise heavily, or wear makeup for at least 24 hours after the treatment.
Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
Take zinc supplements to help the effect last longer.
Apply retinoid products to enhance and prolong results.
Wait at least three months before getting your next botox injection.
Where Should You Get Botox?
To ensure your botox treatment is safe and effective, consult a professional expert, such as the board-certified dermatologists at Nirunda Clinic. They can advise you on how to get the most out of your botox treatment and recommend other cosmetic, non-invasive procedures, such as chemical peels, dermal fillers, and laser treatments, to enhance results further.
Want to avoid the scenario of your botox not working? Get the results you want from your botox injection by going to a specialist who’s knowledgeable and experienced in every aspect of the treatment. Call Nirunda Clinic to book an appointment.
