The Ultimate Botox Timeline: What Happens from Day 1 to Month 4?
Have you been thinking about Botox or Dysport but wonder what to expect after your treatment? At Thrive Med Spa, we believe in transparency and education, so we put together the ultimate timeline to guide you through what happens from Day 1 to Month 4 after being treated with Botox. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, knowing when results appear, when they peak, and when to schedule your next appointment ensures you always look refreshed and confident.
Day 1: The Injection Process
Your Botox appointment at Thrive Med Spa is quick and comfortable, taking around 15-30 minutes. After your injections, you may notice:
- Small bumps or redness at the injection sites (these fade within 30 minutes to a few hours)
- No immediate results as wrinkle-relaxer products take time to work
Pro Tip: Avoid touching or rubbing the treated areas for at least 4-6 hours, and skip workouts for the rest of the day to prevent movement of the product.
Days 3-4: Subtle Changes Begin
At this stage, you might start to feel a slight difference— maybe your forehead or crow’s feet don’t move as much when making expressions, but the changes are still very subtle. Some people describe this as a "softening effect," where the muscles begin to relax, but the skin may not yet appear visibly smoother.
Days 5-7: Results Start Appearing
This is when the magic begins! Your Botox or Dysport starts kicking in, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles in the treated areas. Dysport users may see results slightly sooner (as early as day 3-4), while Botox users typically see changes between days 5-7.
Days 7-14: Full Results
By day 10 to 14, you’ll see the full effect of your treatment—smoother skin, reduced wrinkles, and a refreshed, natural appearance.
Days 14-21: Peak Effect
At this point, your Botox or Dysport is fully settled, and your skin looks refreshed and smooth. Some people may experience:
A slight "tight" or "heavy" sensation in the forehead—this is completely normal and will subside as your body adjusts.
Some residual asymmetry (one side might feel stronger than the other), which is also normal. If necessary, this is the ideal time to schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure your results look perfect.
Months 2-3: Maintaining the Glow
Your Botox or Dysport is still going strong! You’ll continue to enjoy wrinkle-free, refreshed skin, but around Month 2, you may start to notice small amounts of movement returning, especially in high-expression areas like forehead lines and frown lines. It is very normal to have movement appear during this time.
Some clients love a little movement for a more natural look, while others prefer to keep their skin ultra-smooth. If you fall into the latter category, this is the time to start planning your next appointment to treat at Month 3.
Month 4: Time to Refresh!
By Month 4, most clients see a gradual return of muscle movement and fine lines. Botox typically fades around 3 months, while Dysport can last 3-4 months depending on metabolism and lifestyle.
This is the perfect time to schedule your next appointment before lines fully return!
Pro Tip: Instead of waiting for lines to fully return, schedule your next Botox or Dysport treatment before full movement returns to train the muscles to contract less over time, making results last even longer!
When Should You Schedule Your Next Botox or Dysport Treatment? To maintain optimal results:
Softening deep lines: Every 3 months
Preventative approach: Every 3-4 months
Natural movement with some expression: Every 4 months
Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining your Botox or Dysport results. The more regularly you receive treatments, the longer-lasting and smoother your results will be!
Ready for Your Next Refresh? Book at Thrive Med Spa!
At Thrive Med Spa, we specialize in achieving natural, balanced, and confidence-boosting results—never overdone or frozen. Whether you're a first-time client or an experienced Botox/Dysport user, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way to ensure you always look and feel your best.