Anti-wrinkle · 3 min read
How long do anti-wrinkle injections last
Most anti-wrinkle results last around three to four months. Here is what affects how long yours may last and what happens as the treatment wears off.
One of the most common questions at consultation is how long anti-wrinkle injections last. The honest answer is that it varies. For most people, results last around three to four months. Some notice movement returning a little sooner and others enjoy the effect for longer.
Here is a closer look at the timeline and the things that can affect it.
The typical timeline
- Days one to two: very little change
- Days two to five: first signs of softer movement
- Around two weeks: the full effect has usually settled
- Around three to four months: movement gradually returns for most people
The treatment does not stop working overnight. Movement comes back slowly. Many people find the lines look softer for a while after they first notice the muscles moving again.
Why results wear off
Anti-wrinkle injections work by temporarily blocking the signals from nerves to the treated muscles. Over time the body naturally creates new nerve connections. As these form, the muscle is able to contract again and lines gradually return.
This is why the treatment is temporary and why it is considered reversible over time.
Things that affect how long it lasts
Your muscles
Stronger, larger muscles may need a higher dose and can sometimes break through sooner. Men often have stronger facial muscles than women, for example.
Your metabolism and lifestyle
People with a faster metabolism, including those who exercise very intensely and very often, sometimes find results do not last quite as long.
The area treated
Some areas tend to last a little longer than others. A lip flip, for example, uses a very small dose and usually wears off sooner, often after around six to eight weeks.
Treatment history
Some people find that with regular treatments over time, their muscles become a little less active. This can mean results seem to last a bit longer. This varies a lot from person to person.
How often people have treatment
Most people choose to have treatment every three to four months, once they feel movement returning. It is generally advised not to have treatment more often than every three months.
There is no need to stick to a strict schedule. Some people prefer to let the treatment wear off fully before deciding whether to repeat it. Others are happy to wait longer between appointments. Your plan should suit you.
Making your results last well
- Follow the aftercare advice you are given
- Wear a broad-spectrum SPF every day
- Wear sunglasses to reduce squinting
- Look after your skin with a simple, consistent routine
- Keep your free review appointment so your dose can be fine-tuned
A note on expectations
Results vary from person to person and nobody can promise exactly how long yours will last. The first treatment is a good guide. It shows how your muscles respond and helps shape any future plan.
Anti-wrinkle injections are a prescription-only medicine. Whether they are right for you is always decided at a face-to-face consultation with a prescriber, who will look at your medical history and your face before anything is agreed.
If you would like to talk about what you could expect, Lucy offers a free 15-minute consultation at her clinic in Addlestone.
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