Will Botox “Train” Your Face?

Pretty much everyone has heard of Botox by this point. It’s a household name for a reason—it’s effective for treating wrinkles, highly accessible, safe, and requires no downtime. What’s not to love? Lots of people love Botox so much, in fact, that they get maintenance treatments every few months. It’s a beauty staple for lots of men and women who want to look fresh, youthful, and confident. But if you get Botox on an ongoing basis, will you eventually “train” your face to look younger?

With so many myths and facts circulating around Botox, it can be hard to know what to believe. Here’s what you need to know about long-term Botox use.

How Botox Works

Before we look at whether or not it’s possible to train your face to reduce wrinkles by using Botox, it’s important to understand how the injections work. Botox is a neuromodulator that is used to disrupt signals between the nerves and the facial muscles.

By disrupting this communication, Botox reduces muscle contractions that cause “dynamic” wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles occur after years of smiling, frowning, puckering, or making other everyday facial expressions. People who get Botox injections are still able to express themselves, but frown lines, crow’s feet, and other dynamic wrinkles will relax and soften for 3-4 months at a time.

Can Botox Train Facial Muscles to Relax?

Since facial muscles train themselves over the years and eventually create deep dynamic wrinkles, could Botox do the opposite? Maybe. Some patients find that their Botox treatments start to last longer, or that they don’t need as much of the product for the same effects as time goes on.

So, why does this happen? First, it’s important to realize that while Botox doesn’t “freeze” your face, it may make it harder to create the wrinkle-causing facial expressions you’ve been making for years. If you choose to continue getting the injections over a long period of time, then you might notice that you naturally don’t make those expressions anymore.

These factors can mean a longer-lasting reduction in facial wrinkling after you’ve been using Botox for a few years. You might continue to look younger even if you stop. This can be due to the fact that you have been unconsciously trained not to use certain muscles, or that those muscles are no longer as strong due to Botox use.

Over time, your muscles will become weaker with repeated Botox injections, due to lack of use. This is not necessarily something to worry about and may mean that you need less Botox to see the desired amount of wrinkle reduction.

Of course, you should always ask your provider if you have any questions or concerns about long-term Botox use. They will be able to explain the risks and benefits and make customized recommendations.

Could Other Injections Train the Face?

Unlike Botox, dermal fillers do not affect the facial muscles. As their name suggests, they “fill in” deep wrinkles and folds in the skin, restoring volume to areas of the face where it’s needed. These wrinkles are known as “static” wrinkles, and cannot be addressed with a neuromodulator like Botox or Dysport.

Some dermal fillers last longer than others. The treatment area, formula, and a patient’s individual metabolism are all factors in how long injectables will last. Patients who want ongoing results from fillers will need to figure out a maintenance schedule with their provider that works for them.

Should You Try Botox?

It’s important to remember that Botox is a temporary treatment. Even if you decide to keep getting the injections on a regular basis, it’s not realistic to think that you can stop getting them and continue to enjoy the results. There are procedures that are designed to last longer, but you may need surgery if you want to get results that will last for years.

There’s no harm in trying Botox if you are curious about how it might make you look and feel. It has a proven track record of safety, and you don’t have to get another treatment if you’re not happy with the results. However, most people end up being thrilled with the way they look and continue with treatments on an ongoing basis.

Choose an Experienced Provider

Whether you’re interested in Botox for the short or long term, it’s important to choose an experienced provider to administer your treatments. By choosing an office with a track record of excellent results, you’ll be setting yourself up for success. Safety and results should be the top priorities for your provider.

If you decide to continue with Botox after your first treatment, you’ll get to know the staff at your chosen medspa or plastic surgeon’s office very well, so choose an office where you feel welcome. At Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, TX, our aestheticians are highly trained and experienced in injectable treatments like Botox and dermal fillers. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Vitenas oversees the medspa to ensure the highest level of safety and beautiful results.

To schedule a consultation at Mirror Mirror in Houston, call (281) 810-9083 today.