ZINC, Could it make your Botox last longer?

Botox is an injection of a neurotoxin which blocks nerve signals which forces the muscles to relax. It has several applications, including smoothing wrinkles, treating excessive sweating and chronic migrane. Unfortunately Botox doesn't last forever - the effects of the injection wear off bewteen three and six months, and treatment can be pricey.

So whether its for aesthetic or medical purposes, most people want their treatment to last for as long as possible!

Can zinc really make the effects of Botox last longer?

There are a slew of posts from cosmetic injectors on social media who say taking zinc can make Botox injections last lnoger than they otherwise would, stating that taking zinc before a toxin injection 'increases the efficacy and longevity of the toxin by 30%' But, considering that there really isn't enough research right now to support these claims... this may be a slight exaggeration of the truth.

Yes, some studies suggest zinc can make the effects of Bototx last longer howeve, some experts out there say that there isn't enough research to support the claim. In healthy people, zinc supplements may just be excreted by the body. People with conditions that prevent them from eliminating excess minerals may develop toxicity signs like anaemia and nerve damage.

So how could zinc help?

There is an established connection between Botox and zinc however, its not totally clear whether taking zinc supplements can actually affect the staying power of Botox.

Zinc may enhance the effects of Bototx by improving skin health, reducing inflammation and supporting collagen production

Additionally, Botox needs zinc in order to bind to tissue, so in theory, if Botox can bind to tissue more easily and have better activation, a person could see a more lasting effect. The evidence to support this however is flimsy,

Although Botox and zinc are connected, researhcers aren't sure if increasing your zinc levels automatically translates into improved Botox longevity. In 2012, a randomised controlled trial of 77 people who received Botox looked into this very question. The study found that taking 50mg of zinc daily increased the duration of Botox by 30%. Althoug this sounds promising, some have questioned the results of this study, given that patients received differing doses of zinc, and no baseline zinc levels were done to show if these patients were deficient or not. With only 77 participatns, the study was also very small

Should you give this a try?

Though there isent a wealth of research to confirm the hack, its fairly common for practitioners to recommend that their patients take up to 50mg of zinc for 4 days leading up to their Botox injection, and on the day of their appointment.

Taking zinc supplements for a short period of time should generally be safe, but remember, supplements are not completely harmless - it is possible to take too much zinc, and it can also interfere with other medications you may be taking.

How to take it

You can get zinc from foods like meat, seafood, legumes, seeds, nuts, dairy products, eggs and whole grains. If you take supplements, its inmportant to choose a recognized brand and follow the dosage guidelines from a healthcare professional.

A lot of supplements contain zinc, so if you're taking a multivitamen and add a zinc supplement on top of that, you could be getting close to or exceeding the upper intake level. If you want to try this out, consult your doctor and be candid about the medicatios and supplements you're currently taking.