In the beauty and cosmetic industry, Botox is not a strange name. Also known as Botulinum toxin, it is an injectable drug that’s made from bacterium clostridium botulinum. The drug seeks to paralyze or weaken specific body muscles or block certain nerve signals to the muscles. It helps to treat cosmetic problems such as fine lines, facial wrinkles, and general appearance. 

Moreover, it can be used to prevent or reduce severe sweating, uncontrollable blinking, misaligned eyes, and cervical dystonia. Common side effects are swelling, pain, bruising from injection, fever, headache and chills. 

Now, getting a Botox shot takes only a few minutes. Best believe, you won’t need anesthesia for the injectable drug. The medical personnel only use a small needle to inject it into the targeted muscles. And you may experience only minor discomfort.

Typically, the shot takes 7 to 14 days to take its full effect. Before the shot, patients are advised to avoid alcohol from, at least, a week before the procedure. Consuming aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications should be on hold for about 2 weeks before treatment. This reduces the risk of bruising.

Now, the big question is: how long does it last? Generally, the effects from a Botox procedure will last for about 3 to 6 months. Moreover, as muscle action starts to return, the fine lines and wrinkles begin to reappear. So, you need to get treated again. But the wrinkles and lines often reappear less severe after consistent use because the muscles are gradually shrinking.

There might also be a difference in some cases. A Botox shot might last for a different period on the forehead. Here, you can see results in about 1-2 days. Your muscles will slowly relax and the skin will gradually smoothen. But full results will appear in 7-10 days. Subsequently, when the wrinkles on your forehead have totally relaxed, you can enjoy the results for about 3-4 months. This could also be the same amount of time it will take other treated areas to experience results.

In all, Botox may last for different patients for varying periods. For some patients it may last longer. For instance, in a 4-6 month range. For others, it can be shorter; 2-month range. Besides, it is common for first-timers to discover that the shot may not last as long in the first treatment. But it may last for a longer time after the second treatment.