Botox is a neurotoxin that works by blocking the nerve signals that make muscles contract. Lines and wrinkles come from the same muscles contracting over and over again, so relaxing those muscles and limiting their movement results in smoother looking skin.

Although every individual is different, most people see results from Botox injections in about 3 to 5 days. The full effect may take up to two weeks to develop, however. In general, those results will last 3 to 5 months, depending on how fast your body metabolizes the injection. Patients who want to maintain their results over longer periods of time can schedule maintenance treatments every 3 to 4 months.

Botox is administered at the targeted site with a fine needle. Patients tend to report a little discomfort during the injection itself, with no pain afterward. No anesthesia is needed. The procedure is so quick, and you can return to normal activity right away. (It is recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise, massaging the area, or laying down immediately afterward.)

Not all wrinkles are caused primarily by repeated muscle action. The wrinkles in the lower part of your face can also be caused by a change in the shape of your face over time, in part through the loss of fat and collagen. Rather than reducing muscle movement, dermal fillers add volume to targeted spots to smooth wrinkles and add contour. Dermal fillers and Botox are often used in combination to achieve the best results.

Depending on the type of dermal filler used and your unique physiology, the results of your dermal filler injections can last between one to two years.