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How Long Do Botox and Dysport Last?

July 29, 2022

The most commonly asked question by new patients seeking Botox & Dysport treatments is “How long does Botox/Dysport last?”. Generally speaking, injections will last about 3 to 4 months for most patients. However, there are a lot of factors that play a role into this longevity. I’ll walk you through the effects of botox and dysport, along with whether different areas (i.e. botox for the forehead) see different results.

By: Kaitlyn Hunter, NP

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Image of a an employee hands with blue gloves on while extracting Dysport injectable product from a vial with a needle

What Factors Affect How long Botox and Dysport treatments Last?

As mentioned, Botox and Dysport injections typically last 3-4 months. With that said, there are many different factors that come into play with how long they actually last.

Here are the most common factors:

Brand of Injectable
Metabolism
Treatment Frequency
Dosage
Area Being Injected

I’ll break down each factor below, which areas can be injected, and what to do if you’re interested in starting treatment!

Does botox or dysport last longer?

There are many different brands of neuromodulators, with Botox and Dysport being the most common. Depending on which injectable you go with, you may see different results in how long they last. Here at Atalo Aesthetics, we carry both brands. Dysport is significantly more popular by both staff and patients due to its’ superior results, particularly longevity. Dysport takes full effect at 10 days, whereas Botox takes 14 days. In addition, due to its’ increased active protein count, Dysport results can hold longer than Botox by weeks!

Patients should try both and see which works best for them!

How Often Should You Get Botox or Dysport Injections?

If you’re finding that your injections aren’t lasting 3-4 months, it could mean that you’re receiving injections too often. By that I mean being done sooner than every 3 months. Another reason could be that touch-ups are being scheduled too often. Botox and Dysport are both FDA approved to be administered every 90 days. It is important to wait the full 90 days before receiving another injection treatment. If Botox and Dysport are administered too often, it is believed the body will begin to develop a resistance. Results then may not last as long or the Botox/Dysport won’t take effect as strong as they once did.

Does metabolism affect Botox and dysport treatment results?

Another reason your botox or dysport injections might not last 3-4 months is due to metabolism. It is common for younger, more active patients to metabolize their injections at a quicker rate than an older patient or someone with limited physical activity. If you’re finding your botox treatment isn’t lasting long enough, you might just have a more active metabolism.

Botox & Dysport Results: What To Expect Graph - Charting Results Against Longevity at The Intervals Of Before, 1 Week, 2-6 Weeks, 8 Weeks, 3 Months and 4 Months

When you’ll see results & What to Expect

For anyone considering Botox or Dysport injections, it is important to know that treatment results will begin to wear off 2-4 weeks prior to the next injection appointment. Patients typically see peak results 2-8 weeks post-injection, so it is impossible to stay perfectly smooth the entire 3-4 months.

Maintaining a consistent treatment schedule is crucial to achieve optimal results from injections. By injecting Botox/Dysport every 3-4 months, the results should never completely wear off!

There are currently companies working to create a neuromodulator product that lasts 6+ months. In my opinion, if there was the capability to create a product with results that last that long, it would have already been done by Allergan (who makes Botox) or Galderma (who makes Dysport). In addition, there are cases where a patient wouldn’t want 6 months of results, such as when a droopy eyelid occurs. It is much more effective to have maintenance injections done.

What Areas Can be Treated & Does Dosage Affect Results?

One of the most common reasons Botox and Dysport injections don’t last 3-4 months is due to too little of a dose. If patients have a lower budget to work with, the provider may not be able to inject the proper amount of units the patient should receive based on their muscle strength and movement. It is okay to start with a lower dose, but then more realistic expectations for results should be set.

At Atalo, our highly trained and experienced Nurse Practitioner injectors work with each patient to create a customized treatment plan. It is common for some patients to need a higher dose based on their muscle strength and the number of areas of the face that will be treated.

The most common areas for Botox and Dysport injections are the forehead, frown (aka “11s”), and crow’s feet. Other areas that can be injected include bunny lines, gummy smiles, masseters for TMJ, dimpled chins, down-turned smiles, and lines around the mouth (aka “smoker’s lines” or “lipstick lines”).

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At the end of the day, most patients should be able to achieve results from Botox/Dysport injections for 3-4 months. Just as long as consistent treatments are scheduled and an appropriate dose is chosen for the areas of the face being treated. At Atalo Aesthetics, our providers offer complimentary consultations for Botox and Dysport. Treatments can be performed the same day if the patient chooses to move forward with injections. Botox/Dysport injections are one of our most popular treatments booked by patients and they are definitely a staff favorite as well!