A question that I am often asked when consulting with a new-to-aesthetics client is whether once you start using Botulinum Toxin, do you have to continue forever? Well the truth is that really, it is entirely up to you. You see, Botulinum Toxin (which I will hereon-in refer to as B’tox) is not able to permanently change anything. It is a toxin which temporarily paralyses or weakens muscles which in turn, lessens the effect of pulling on the skin – outcome: wrinkles be gone! The body will eventually recover and the muscles will build up strength again and the lines will return. The reason, we as aesthetic clinicians, suggest returning every three months to repeat the process is that after this time, the muscle activity returns and to keep yourself fresh faced, re-administration of the B’tox is required.
So what happens if you choose not to re-inject? Absolutely nothing! The lines will return as they were before and things will return to how they were. Your face will not drop off, your lines will not be worse and nobody will know any different.
Regular use of B’tox will weaken the muscle and over time, this muscle’s power will be reduced meaning you will not need to have your B’tox so regularly. It also means that your face will look consistently refreshed and aging will slow down considerably. It is now thought that early introduction of B’tox into your skin maintenance regime improves overall aging outcomes. What do I mean by ‘early’? Well, I would suggest late 20s/early 30s – let’s face it, that is when the most damage is done right? Dare I say late-night parties? Of course this depends on lifestyle choices and genetics too because a person with dark skin who gets good, quality sleep and does not drink or smoke heavily will age slower than a person with light skin who loves to sunbathe, parties hard and smokes.
Of course there are things you can do to slow things down yourself and also to prolong your B’tox. Lifestyle changes such as reducing your alcohol intake, stop smoking, keep out of the sun between 11am and 4pm and wear SPF! Dietry changes such as avoiding over-processed foods, eating fresh fruit and vegetables daily – aim for 5 portions per day and drink plenty of non-caffeinated, low sugar fluid. Another top tip from me is Retinol; this stuff is the elixir of youth and works by increasing cell turnover so wrinkles cannot form. Go for a pure, unbuffered retinol though and do not go wild with it for the first few weeks. An anti-oxident, vitamin C serum will also help to brighten and firm the skin.
But, to be crystal clear: how often you want B’tox or if you even want to continue with B’tox is entirely down to you. I promise, nobody will know either way.
