Blog

The effects of Botox treatment are usually temporary, lasting between three and four months on average, depending on the procedure. As a result, Botox procedures are periodically repeated to prevent fine lines and wrinkles from appearing.

Although the long-term use of Botox can be associated with side effects, choosing a highly trained dermatologist can help you keep your skin looking its best. At Dallas Dermatology Partners, our team brings over 65 years of combined experience in dermatology so you can achieve the look you’ve been dreaming of.

Here’s everything you need to know about the long-term effects of Botox to prepare for your first Botox appointment with Dallas Dermatology.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox is an injectable treatment that improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Botox helps eliminate facial lines by blocking the nerve impulses that cause the facial muscles to activate. In other words, Botox treatment reduces muscle activity in the targeted area while preserving normal facial expressions for a natural-looking result.

Available since 1989, Botox treatment is a non-invasive injectable that requires minimal downtime. Injectables have been safely used to achieve a more youthful, refreshed appearance. In some cases, Botox may also be used to treat conditions like muscle spasms, lazy eyes, and migraine.

Does Botox Cause Side Effects?

After your Botox treatment, it’s normal to experience minimal side effects during recovery. You might notice mild discomfort and bruising around the injection site, but these effects typically subside within a few days.

Long-term side effects of prolonged Botox use may be associated with muscle weakness or your skin retaining a smooth appearance after Botox applications have stopped, which can be seen as a positive as it maintains a more youthful look.

With that said, it’s possible to lower your risk of negative side effects and maximize positive side effects by choosing an experienced dermatologist.

To find the right dermatologist, it’s essential to review their credentials, training, and experience. Dallas Dermatology Partners takes a conservative approach to cosmetic procedures to provide subtle, natural results that align with your aesthetic goals. When properly administered, Botox will leave you looking well-rested without looking frozen or heavy.

How Long Does Botox Last?

Botox is a temporary procedure, with effects lasting between 3-4 months after the injection. As the toxins wear off and your facial muscles regain movement, wrinkles and fine lines can return, and conditions like muscle spasms can resume. Botox injections can be stopped at anytime – although you probably won’t want to – as results will go away if not maintained.

Maintenance is required to preserve natural-looking Botox results. You may consider scheduling repeat Botox appointments, once results begin to fade. Your dermatologist can let you know how often to schedule Botox procedures based on your medical history and any medical conditions that you have.

Our team at Dallas Dermatology Partners creates custom treatment plans for each patient, with the dose, technique, and treatment frequency tailored to your specific needs.

Enjoy Beautiful, Natural Results

At Dallas Dermatology Partners, our expert team of board-certified dermatologists utilizes superior treatments and procedures to provide the highest level of care. We’re dedicated to patient comfort— your experience is always our top priority.

Whether you’re considering your first Botox injection or are interested in another Botox appointment, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a Botox appointment and explore your treatment options.

Daxxify, a type of neuromodulator, is FDA-approved to treat glabellar lines. These are the wrinkles commonly referred to as “frown lines” that appear as vertical lines between the eyebrows.

When Daxxify first became available, it was widely touted as an alternative to Botox. This begs the question: Is Daxxify better than Botox injections?

“In reality, Daxxify has not been lasting as long as advertised and it is more expensive.”  – Dr. Lauren Dickson

Not Necessarily Better, Just Different

Before comparing and contrasting the two, it’s helpful to know exactly what they are. Both Botox and Daxxify are in a family of neuromodulators, along with Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau.

These neuromodulators work by relaxing the muscles in the treated area. This temporarily prevents contractions, which significantly reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Daxxify isn’t necessarily better than Botox, and Botox isn’t necessarily better than Daxxify. They each offer their own benefits. Our dermatologists will review your goals with you to determine which injectable would work best for your needs.

Similarities Between Daxxify and Botox

Daxxify and Botox share many similarities, aside from the fact that they are both neuromodulators. Both injectables are highly effective at treating wrinkles, and both have received FDA approval, with favorable safety profiles.

In fact, both Daxxify and Botox did not cause any serious treatment-related side effects during clinical trials. The most common temporary side effect was a headache.

Length of Duration of Results

Both Daxxify and Botox provide temporary results, which means you’ll need to continue to get injections in order to enjoy younger-looking skin. However, the length of the duration of their results is different.

Whereas the results of Botox tend to last for about three to four months for most patients, Daxxify users may continue to see results for six months—and even up to nine months in some cases. The long-lasting results are due to a difference in formulations; Daxxify contains a unique protein that Botox lacks. However, in reality these Daxxify results have not been lasting as long as advertised and Daxxify.

Although it may be tempting to try the longer-lasting injectable first, your dermatologist might instead recommend that you first try Botox if you’ve never received a neuromodulator before. This allows you to assess whether you like the results before you consider using a longer-lasting injectable.

Treatment Areas

Another significant difference between these two injectables is where they may be used. Currently, Daxxify is only FDA-approved to treat the glabellar lines between the eyebrows.

In contrast, Botox is FDA-approved to treat glabellar lines, horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Botox is also FDA-approved for medical (non-cosmetic) uses, such as the treatment of chronic migraines, muscle spasms, and some types of urinary incontinence.

It’s expected that, in the future, Daxxify may receive FDA approval to treat areas other than the glabellar lines. It should also be noted that it is customary for clinicians to recommend and use medications for reasons that aren’t yet approved by the FDA (off-label usage).

Look Forward to Younger-Looking, Rejuvenated Skin

At Dallas Dermatology Partners, our innovative clinicians understand the importance of developing personalized treatment plans for each of our patients. When you choose us for injectables in Dallas, you can rest assured you’ll receive transparent, evidence-based guidance.

We’ll review your medical history, cosmetic concerns, and aesthetic goals together to determine whether Botox, Daxxify, or another treatment is best suited to your needs.

Contact us today to request your Dallas dermatology appointment and get excited about achieving more rejuvenated skin.

Botox is highly effective at minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It offers a refreshed, younger appearance, but to maintain your results, you’ll need to get periodic touch-ups.

How often should you schedule Botox injections? Since every patient is a little different, it’s best to defer to the guidance of your clinician, but the following are some general guidelines.

Here’s How Often to Schedule Botox Injections

Although Botox gets to work right away, you won’t see the full results of your treatment until about 5-7 days after receiving the injections. Most people can enjoy their results for about 3-4 months. You’ll see the best results longest lifespan of your results with proper skin care.

It may be tempting to schedule another appointment as soon as 3 months have passed, but before you do, you should consider whether you actually need it. If you’re still seeing the “new you” in the mirror, then you may be able to get by with waiting a while to schedule a touch-up appointment.

On the other hand, if you’ve noticed that the fine lines and wrinkles are beginning to reappear, then you can call the dermatology office to request an appointment. Botox injections are particularly popular for:

• Horizontal forehead lines
• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Crow’s feet (around your eyes)
• Lipstick lines

How Often Should You Get Botox for Medical Purposes?

Botox is widely used to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and to delay their formation as part of a “prejuvenation” routine. Yet, it’s also approved for certain medical uses.

For example, if you have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), likely accompanied by bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching), you may receive Botox injections into the masseter muscles as therapeutic treatment. The Botox injections will reduce the clenching of the jaw muscles, providing pain relief (and in some patients, relieving related tension headaches connected to TMD, as well).

Botox can also be given to patients with chronic tension headaches without TMD. If you’ve noticed that your tension headaches are coming back, it may be time to schedule an appointment.

Generally, Botox for therapeutic purposes can be given as often as every 3 months. If the 3-month mark is approaching and you’re noticing the signs that Botox is wearing off (e.g., jaw tiredness and tightness), then it’s time to schedule an appointment.

How to Make the Results of Botox Last as Long as Possible

It may be possible to make your results last a bit longer than they otherwise would by taking a couple of simple precautions. For example, if you smoke, consider talking to your doctor about smoking cessation methods. Smoking increases wrinkle formation and attacks the overall health of the skin.

Alcohol is another big contributor to aging skin because it dehydrates your body. Finding ways to reduce your alcohol intake will not only improve your complexion but your overall health, too.

This one may be more obvious, but it’s easy to forget— avoid excessive sun exposure when you can, and if you are going to spend significant time outdoors, be sure you are wearing sunscreen on all exposed areas of skin. It is recommended to be using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for daily use. Additionally, a broad-spectrum formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays is ideal.

You can also cover up on warm days with thin, breathable clothing made from fabrics like linen, wear hats that shade your face (and shoulders if you can), and wear sunglasses to keep you from stressing your face muscles from squinting.

Schedule an Appointment for Botox Injections in Dallas

When it’s time for your next Botox touch-up, the friendly clinicians at Dallas Dermatology Partners are here for you. Schedule your Dallas dermatology appointment today and get back to looking as young as you feel.

If you’ve never had injectables in Dallas before, you can schedule a consultation to discuss whether treatments may be right for you.