Is Botox Permanent?

Non-invasive cosmetic procedures have become increasingly popular through the years. From fillers and micro-needling to cool sculpting and Botox, there is a wide variety of beauty treatments to chose from (via Slice). Some of these procedures can have long lasting effects, like eyebrow microblading, which Healthline reports can last up to 30 months, while others last for a much shorter duration, like Botox injections.  

According to the website, Botox temporarily reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines in the face, offering smoothing results without significantly altering your appearance. The FDA-approved drug works by blocking the signals from the nerves to the muscles, minimizing the muscle movements that create marionette (frown) lines, crow's feet, and forehead wrinkles in adults (via WebMD).  

Although Botox is not considered a permanent or even long-lasting treatment, 4.4 million Botox procedures were performed in 2020, according to the annual procedure survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, making it the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure of that year.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Botox is made from the a neurotoxin called Clostridium botulinum, which, once injected, can take up to 10 days to reach its full effect. These effects can last as short as two months to as long as six months, depending on the individual, as everyone can have a different experience with this treatment.

While initially, the effects of the injections may last for a short time, according to the experts at Byrdie, using Botox over time can help the effects last longer and can keep you looking younger. New York City-based dermatologist Debra Jaliman, M.D., author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist, tells Byrdie that "If you continuously get Botox for 10-plus years you will certainly look much younger and have fewer wrinkles."

Fun fact: Botox is not only used for beauty purposes. According to WebMD, people with certain medical conditions have been shown to benefit from the injections, including those who live with hyperhidrosis (severe sweating), uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm), migraines, and overactive bladder.