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You may be able to extend your Botox injections by following these steps

BOTOX® lasts an average of four months. Yet patients often ask if there is anything they can do to make botulinum toxin injections like BOTOX last longer.

These injections work by breaking down a protein in your body called SNAP-25. Over time, your body will regenerate this protein, causing BOTOX to wear off. Thus, how long BOTOX lasts will depend on how long it takes your body to make more of this protein. Both genetics and lifestyle factors seem to play a role in how quickly the body replaces SNAP-25 proteins.

In my Miami dermatology practice, I have seen healthy people see BOTOX wear off faster than average, which may be because their bodies are better able to repair these proteins.

There are, however, a few things you do have control over that can help you to maximize your results.

Choose an experienced botulinum toxin injector

Botulinum toxin injections must be strategically placed in order to achieve the desired result and to maximize the outcome. Therefore, it is crucial that your injector has a detailed knowledge of facial anatomy and ample experience performing these injections.

Discuss botulinum toxin options with your provider

There are several brands of botulinum toxin injections. While they all work the same way, there are slight differences in the way each is formulated, which may affect how long your results last.

There is a new product called DAXXIFY®, for example, that may last longer because more of the toxin reaches the skin. So you may see longer-lasting results simply due to an increased dose of the botulinum toxin, though your body will still replace the SNAP-25 the same way as with BOTOX.

Adopt healthy lifestyle habits

Again, there is no way to determine or manipulate how quickly your body will replace the SNAP-25 proteins, but adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help to keep signs of aging at bay for longer. This includes habits like wearing SPF daily, drinking plenty of water, eating antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries and other berries, spinach, artichokes and red and pinto beans, managing stress and getting enough sleep.

Bottom line

While there is no way to change the way your body reacts to botulinum toxin injections to affect the longevity of your results, choosing an experienced provider, using the best type of botulinum toxin for you and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help you to maximize your results.

Dr. Leslie Baumann
Dr. Leslie Baumann

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