The Beauty Standard with Dr. Roy Kim

Making Botox Last Longer: Insider Tips!

• Dr. Roy Kim

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We explore how to maximize the longevity of neurotoxin treatments by examining both controllable and uncontrollable factors that affect results. Dr. Roy Kim, a board-certified plastic surgeon with 25+ years of experience, provides expert insights applicable across all botulinum toxin brands.

• Finding a skilled, experienced injector who understands facial anatomy is crucial for proper dosing and natural-looking results
• Zinc supplements may potentially extend treatment effects when taken before injections (with provider approval)
• Strategic placement of extra units in highly expressive areas can target longevity where needed
• Different neurotoxin brands have distinct chemical structures that may affect individual results
• Your metabolism, muscle activity, and exercise intensity can all impact how quickly treatments fade
• Product freshness and proper storage significantly affect potency
• Deep wrinkles may require complementary treatments beyond neurotoxins
• Open communication with your provider is essential for personalized treatment plans

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Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of "The Beauty Standard" with Dr. Roy Kim! If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you the latest insights in aesthetic medicine and beauty trends.

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Join us next week as we explore another fascinating topic in the world of beauty, and remember: your body, your choice, your standard!

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim.

Speaker 2:

Ever feel like you know those treatment results fade way too fast.

Speaker 1:

Oh, absolutely.

Speaker 2:

And you're thinking hang on, shouldn't this last longer? Is there like something I can do?

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's a super common question and it's exactly what we're digging into today. We've got some really interesting insights.

Speaker 2:

We do. Specifically, we're looking at how you might just maybe extend the effects of botulinum toxin injections.

Speaker 1:

That's right, and our main source here is a really helpful YouTube video.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's from Dr Roy Kim. He's a board-certified plastic surgeon, been doing this for over 25 years, thousands of patients, so you know he's seen a lot.

Speaker 1:

Definitely brings that real-world perspective. You can find his channel easily, just search Dr Roy Kim.

Speaker 2:

And, importantly, while his video title mentions Botox specifically.

Speaker 1:

Right, good point.

Speaker 2:

The advice really applies more broadly, doesn't it? Like Xeomin Dysport, daxify Jouveau.

Speaker 1:

Exactly the core ideas work across those different neurotoxin brands.

Speaker 2:

Maybe you've even noticed differences yourself if you've tried more than one Could be. So our mission today really is to unpack those insider tips, figure out what you can control and, well, what you can't.

Speaker 1:

To give you the knowledge, basically help you feel more clued in about your treatments.

Speaker 2:

Okay, let's do it. Where should we start? What are the things we actually have some influence over?

Speaker 1:

Well, the first big one and Dr Kim really stresses this is getting the dosage and the administration just right.

Speaker 2:

Ah, ok, so it's not just about the product, but how it's used.

Speaker 1:

Precisely. It's about the skill of the injector Finding someone who can really look at your specific muscles, your expressions, and tailor the dose. It's not one size fits all.

Speaker 2:

Makes sense Because he talks about the risks right, too little and well, nothing really happens.

Speaker 1:

Ineffective, disappointing results.

Speaker 2:

But too much. That's when you get that frozen. Look, everyone wants to avoid.

Speaker 1:

Exactly that unnatural stiffness, which is why finding the right person is so key.

Speaker 2:

So experience matters A lot.

Speaker 1:

Huge amount. He really recommends looking for like a board certified plastic surgeon or an injector with tons of experience. They just get the facial anatomy. How things move.

Speaker 2:

Right For that natural effective result.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Okay, what else you mentioned something kind of surprising.

Speaker 1:

Ah yes, the little known secret, as he puts it zinc supplements.

Speaker 2:

Zinc Really, how does that work?

Speaker 1:

Well, there's some research apparently suggesting that if you take zinc before your injection, the results might last a bit longer. Huh.

Speaker 2:

Interesting, just slightly longer there.

Speaker 1:

Seems like it based on the studies. It's not like a magic bullet. Okay, and crucially, Dr Kim adds a big caveat here.

Speaker 2:

Which is.

Speaker 1:

You absolutely have to talk to your injector before you start taking any supplements, including zinc. Don't just go out and buy it Right, right, get their okay.

Speaker 2:

First. Super important disclaimer Okay, good, so proper dosage, maybe zinc, if your injector agrees. What's next in the controllable category?

Speaker 1:

Strategic extra units.

Speaker 2:

Ooh.

Speaker 1:

It does a bit, but it's about being strategic. So think about areas where you have really active muscles, like for expressive people, maybe between the eyebrows.

Speaker 2:

Oh yeah, the 11 lines, I know those.

Speaker 1:

Exactly so. For someone who uses those muscles a lot, adding just a couple of extra units very precisely in that spot might help the effect last longer there.

Speaker 2:

Ah, I see it's targeted, not just adding more everywhere effect last longer there.

Speaker 1:

Ah, I see it's targeted, not just adding more everywhere. Precisely, it's personalizing it again, aiming for longevity in those high movement zones while keeping everything else looking natural.

Speaker 2:

Okay, that makes a lot of sense. So those are the main things we might be able to influence. What about the stuff that's well, kind of out of our hands?

Speaker 1:

Right, the uncontrollable factors. First up is simply the different types of neurotoxin.

Speaker 2:

The different brands we mentioned Botox, xeomin, dysport.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, those Dr Kim explains. They all work similarly but their actual chemical structures are distinct.

Speaker 2:

So like subtle differences.

Speaker 1:

Subtle but potentially meaningful. Think of it like different types of coffee maybe Same basic effect, but one might hit you differently.

Speaker 2:

Okay, so one brand might just genuinely last longer for me than another brand.

Speaker 1:

It's possible, yes, and he suggests that if you find one brand consistently wears off quickly for you, it's worth talking to your injector. Maybe trying a different one could yield better results.

Speaker 2:

Interesting. Could your body get used to one type over time?

Speaker 1:

That's another point he raises developing a sort of resistance. It's not fully understood why it happens to some people, but switching brands can sometimes overcome that, if it does occur.

Speaker 2:

Wow, ok, good to know that's an option. What else is on the uncontrollable list?

Speaker 1:

Your own body's metabolism.

Speaker 2:

Ah, everything happens inside.

Speaker 1:

Exactly. If you naturally have a faster metabolism, your body might just break down the neurotoxin quicker.

Speaker 2:

And there's not much you can do about that is there.

Speaker 1:

Not really. No, it's largely just how your system works.

Speaker 2:

Okay, what about the actual product they inject?

Speaker 1:

Freshness is key. This was interesting. Ideally, the neurotoxins should be fairly fresh used, within maybe a few days of being mixed or prepared.

Speaker 2:

And stored right.

Speaker 1:

Yes, proper refrigeration is crucial. It can lose potency if it's old or hasn't been kept correctly. He suggests you know having that conversation with your clinic about how they handle their product.

Speaker 2:

Makes sense. It's like food, really Freshness matters.

Speaker 1:

Okay, what else affects longevity?

Speaker 2:

How much you use the muscles that were treated.

Speaker 1:

Ah, yeah, makes intuitive sense.

Speaker 2:

The more you frown or raise your eyebrows or squint, the more you make those muscles contract, the faster the effect will fade.

Speaker 1:

So my expressive forehead might need touch-ups sooner than, say, my crow's feet.

Speaker 2:

Potentially. Yes, Dr Kim uses that exact example. Foreheads often need treating more frequently because we just use those muscles so much in daily expression.

Speaker 1:

Guilty as charged. Okay, anything else, I feel like I heard something about exercise.

Speaker 2:

Ah yes, the potentially bad news for the very fitness-focused among us.

Speaker 1:

Oh dear, what is it?

Speaker 2:

Intense cardio and endurance sports might shorten the duration.

Speaker 1:

Really Like running marathons or doing lots of HIIT workouts, that kind of thing. Yeah, the thinking is related to increased metabolism and perhaps just increased facial movement during intense exertion. So if you're a serious athlete, you might just find you need top-ups a bit more often.

Speaker 2:

Okay, well, that's a trade-off to be aware of, I suppose. One last factor.

Speaker 1:

The initial depth of the wrinkles Right.

Speaker 2:

So if they're really deep to begin with, Neurotoxins might not be enough on their own.

Speaker 1:

They're really deep to begin with. Neurotoxins might not be enough on their own. They relax the muscle, which stops the wrinkle from getting deeper and softens it. But for really etched in lines, you might need something else. Exactly, dr Kim mentions things like fillers, maybe skin resurfacing, microneedling, complementary treatments to address the skin quality and volume loss, not just the muscle movement.

Speaker 2:

So it's about managing expectations too. Neurotoxins do one job, but sometimes you need a multi-pronged approach for those deeper lines.

Speaker 1:

Precisely, it's about the right tool, or combination of tools, for the job.

Speaker 2:

Okay, wow, that was a lot to cover. So just to recap quickly. Things you can maybe influence include finding a skilled injector for the right dose, possibly zinc, if discussed with your provider, and maybe strategic extra units in certain spots.

Speaker 1:

Right. And then the things largely outside your direct control the specific brand used and how your body responds, your metabolism, product freshness, how much you use those muscles intense exercise and how deep the wrinkles were initially.

Speaker 2:

Got it and the big takeaway running through all of this really is.

Speaker 1:

Talk to your provider. This is all fascinating. Info Helps you ask better questions, but it's not medical advice. Your injector is the one who can give you personalized recommendations.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely crucial. So maybe next time you go for a treatment, think about some of these things. Have you noticed differences between brands? Do certain areas fade faster for you?

Speaker 1:

Yeah, use this knowledge to have a more detailed chat with your injector. It helps them tailor things better for you.

Speaker 2:

Definitely. And maybe a final thought to leave you with considering all these factors, the ones you can control and the ones you can't what does that really highlight about the importance of a truly personalized treatment plan and just how vital that open conversation with your provider is to getting results that you're actually happy with?

Speaker 1:

That's a great question. It really underscores that it's not just about the product but the whole the expertise, the communication and understanding your own individual factors. Thank, you for listening to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. Make sure to follow for future topics and episodes.