Neurotoxin is a protein that is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. By injecting it into a muscle, it blocks signals from the nerves that cause the muscle to contract, and when muscles can’t contract, the dynamic wrinkles caused by facial movements relax and soften, allowing your face to look smoother.
If you have received a neurotoxin injection to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, you are aware that it doesn’t last forever. Typically results last from 3 to 4 months then it’s time for another treatment.
The body breaks down the protein over time, but how quickly this happens depends on a variety of factors including metabolic rate and exposure to environmental toxins. Here are five tips to help you get the most from your neurotoxin treatment.
Stay out of the sun
It’s no secret that sun damage can lead to premature aging by breaking down your collagen and damaging skin cells deep within the dermal layers. First, Botox is ineffective against wrinkles and lines caused by sun damage as they aren’t caused by muscle movements. On top of this, sun damage causes an inflammatory response within the cells which can also break down your Botox, reducing its effectiveness and minimizing its lifespan.
High intensity workouts are designed to boost your metabolism in order to burn calories and build muscle more quickly. By raising your metabolic rate, you may be causing your body to metabolize the Botox more quickly so it breaks down sooner than expected.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise or even do intensive workouts, just integrate more low to moderate training into your workouts.
Using a good-quality facial moisturizer such as ZO Skin Health® is essential to keeping your skin smooth. Moisturizers containing collagen and hyaluronic acid can be particularly beneficial by keeping your skin looking plump and healthy and reducing how quickly it breaks down the Botox within your facial muscles.
Smoking, vaping, and anything with nicotine causes your collagen to break down, damages your skin cells, and reduces the effectiveness of your Botox injections. Not only will the original dynamic wrinkles appear more quickly, but smoking and vaping cause fine lines around the mouth and eyes that future injections can’t fix.
Zinc is known as a “Botox booster” based on a few studies. Zinc has been found to be effective in extending the effects of botulinum toxin injections up to 30 percent. According to the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, the results of the clinical trial of the drug showed that almost 92 percent of the patients who took Zinc reported that the effects of their Botox treatments were noticed more quickly and lasted several weeks longer.
Zinc is to be taken four days prior to treatment with a dose of two capsules daily: one taken in the morning and the other in the evening. The intake of Zinc before and at the time of your injections controls the quantity of zinc and phytase in the body, which helps in enhancing the effects of treatment.
Whether you're looking for rejuvenation, anti-aging treatments, or a personalized skincare plan, we're here to help. Schedule your appointment today and take the next step toward looking and feeling your best.
445 Main Street
Medfield, MA 02052
By Appointment Only