As someone who is getting Botox for the first time this week, I’d be lying if i said my search history didn’t consist of the question of how to make Botox last longer.
Botox injections typically last for three to four months on their own, but one expert is sharing how to extend that. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Sarmela Sunder has taken to TikTok to let fans of the procedure know there’s something they can do to make it last longer. And it turns out, it’s as simple as taking the mineral zinc.
“If you love the effects of Botox and you want it to last longer, consider taking a zinc supplement,” Sunder says in the video. “Take about 15 milligrams a day and see if that helps.” The doctor explains that some studies have shown that taking zinc can make Botox last up to 20% to 30% longer than those “in a state of zinc depletion.”
In a follow-up video, Sunder shares why zinc helps to maintain the results of a Botox injection, noting that the mineral interacts with a certain protein in the cosmetic liquid. She says the zinc “plays a role and affects” how Botox binds to its target fairly soon after it’s injected, adding that the “stronger the attachment of the protein,” the longer the Botox and its wrinkle-free effects last.
- Sunder points out that it’s important to start taking zinc before a Botox appointment so you have enough of it in your system to make it effective and last as long as possible.
- She also cautions that the results can vary from person to person, so it’s no guarantee the zinc will extend the effects of Botox.
- “The only guaranteed way to increase longevity of Botox is to increase the dose that’s injected,” the surgeon explains, adding that her patients who don’t want to do that have tried zinc and that “it works better on some patients than others.”
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