How Often Should You Get BOTOX, Lip Filler, Chemical Peels: Timing Your Treatments (Updated Oct. 2023)

If you want to keep your skin, face, and body looking their best, you may need a few procedures and touch-ups along the way. But how often should you get those BOTOX, chemical peel, and lip filler touch-ups, and when should you schedule them? And what about surgical procedures? How should you time them so you look your best for a special event or holiday?

From nonsurgical med spa treatments to body contouring surgeries, we list some of the best ways to keep your look fresh and vibrant. We also recommend when you should schedule those treatments and how long you can expect results to last.

But first, this message: All estimates are generalizations or averages! These are ballpark figures. Naturally, each of you is unique.

What Affects How Soon You Need a Touch-Up?

The following factors all play a part in the results of any procedure:

  • Age
  • Skin tone, elasticity, tissue quality
  • General health and diet
  • Fitness and exercise routine
  • Lifestyle habits (Are you a smoker? Do you drink alcohol?)
  • Will you follow directions?

To varying degrees, all of the above will play a role in your results. Now—some answers. We’ll start with the nonsurgical, often-repeated procedures.

Med Spa Treatment Timeline

Do Every Day

Topical Treatments: These would include moisturizers, sunscreens, gentle exfoliants; things you apply to your skin surface.

Weekly or Every Few Weeks

Deeper Exfoliating: Remove dead skin cells and debris build-up with deeper exfoliants, including certain Retinol-containing products that have greater strength.

3 to 6 Month Intervals

BOTOX® Cosmetic and similar injections: Keep frown lines and crow’s feet away. Three to 6 months is the average length of effectiveness for these neuromodulators.

Before & After BOTOX® Cosmetic Case 163 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Jawline Slimming With BOTOX

6 to 9 Month Intervals

Fillers: JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® are hyaluronic acid fillers that smooth out nasolabial folds, plump and shape the lips, and ease the signs of aging under the eyes.

Before & After Injectable Fillers Case 446 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Fillers
Before & After Injectable Fillers Case 215 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Fillers

9 to 12 Month Intervals

RADIESSE®: Also a “filler,” RADIESSE is made with calcium hydroxyapatite, a thicker substance in gel form. It is used to fill hollow cheek areas, nasolabial folds, and other signs of aging.

Before & After Injectable Fillers Case 73 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Radiesse
Before & After Injectable Fillers Case 72 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Radiesse
Before & After Injectable Fillers Case 71 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Radiesse

Annually (if appropriate)

Skin resurfacing with chemical peels, dermabrasion, or lighter laser skin resurfacing. (*Depending on how deep or extensive the process.)

Light chemical peels: Peels such as Obagi’s Blue Peel, can be administered singly or in a series of several treatments to remove the upper layers of skin. This type of peel encourages new collagen production, improving elasticity and texture and addressing fine lines and discolorations.

IPL, intense pulsed-light treatments: This photofacial and similar light and laser treatments address sun damage, pigmentation, and skin redness. A series of visits are usually required, depending on your desired result.

Every 2 Years

JUVÉDERM VOLUMA®: This is the time frame used for Voluma, one of the newer-generation products used as a filler, and billed as the long-lasting. Voluma is used to fill hollows in the cheeks, as well as other areas of the face. As with all of the other fill products and muscle-relaxing injections, the results may vary between individual patients.

ONE TIME

Phenol peel or other, heavier chemical peel.

Laser skin resurfacing that significantly removes the upper layers of the skin.

Cosmetic Surgery Timelines

Because surgical procedures address much more than surface skin layers, results are much longer-lasting.

Facial Surgical Procedures

One Time – or repeat not sooner than 5 to 10 years

Facelift, Brow Lift, Neck Lift, Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift): These are considered permanent procedures. In other words, you will always have the improvement you gained with your surgery.  But, of course, we all continue to age and change. After a period of years, it is possible to repeat these procedures—if necessary or desired.

Before & After Eyelid Surgery Case 175 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Facial Plastic Surgery
Before & After Facelift Case 772 Front View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Facial Plastic Surgery
Before & After Facelift Case 764 Front View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Facial Plastic Surgery
Before & After Facelift Case 415 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Facial Plastic Surgery

Breast Procedures

Breast augmentation or breast lift will last years 

Breast Augmentation: Very often, breast augmentation is a one-time procedure. There is no expiration date on breast implants, and as long as there is no problem, there is no need to replace them. However, an implant may deflate at some point, or a patient may develop scar tissue around the implant that will change the shape and position of the breast. Sometimes, of course, patients simply decide they’d like to go larger, or smaller. These are all reasons for surgical revision, and replacement of the implants. In addition, with age, our tissue changes. Patients may note differences in their augmented breasts brought on by natural body changes, and want another surgical adjustment. It is not uncommon for patients who have had a breast augmentation in their 20s, to return a decade or more later, seeking a Breast Lift, implant replacement, etc.

Before & After Breast Augmentation Case 489 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Breast Augmentation
Before & After Breast Augmentation Case 739 Left Side View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Breast Augmentation

Breast Lift: Similarly, breast lift results can be long-lasting; depending on the individual’s skin quality and tone. Patients usually have this procedure one time. Or, they may determine they wish to repeat after a period of years.

BODY PROCEDURES

Usually one time or a permanent procedure.

Tummy Tuck: (one time) Again, most patients have one tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).  Age and weight change may eventually lead a patient to seek further abdominal revision, and/or Liposuction.

Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 607 Front View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Tummy Tuck Surgery
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 766 Front View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Tummy Tuck Surgery

Liposuction: (“permanent”) The word permanent is in quotes. Naturally, you will still be able to gain weight, but the fat removed through liposuction is not likely to reappear as much, in the areas treated.

Before & After Liposuction Case 518 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Liposuction
Before & After Liposuction Case 529 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Liposuction
Before & After Liposuction Case 67 View #1 View in San Jose, CA
Before & After Liposuction

Fat Transfer: (permanent) Fat removed through liposuction is injected into areas where a patient wants more fullness (very often, in the buttocks,). It is also often used facially to fill cheek hollows and deep creases.  When the fat is injected into the new area, some will resorb and not be noticeable. When the transferred fat stabilizes, within the first few months, it may well last a lifetime.

Something to remember when you’re considering any cosmetic procedure, and this is something I repeat to my Bay Area and San Jose cosmetic surgery patients on a regular basis: Anything a plastic surgeon does can be undone by a patient’s lifestyle choices. Cosmetic surgical procedures are adjuncts to—not substitutes for—a good, ongoing, diet, exercise, and skincare routine.  With that understood, it could be time to check your calendar, and plan for your next touch-up!

The board-certified plastic surgeons of Reveal Plastic Surgery are happy to discuss how you can reach your skincare, facial, and body contouring goals. You can request a consultation using our online form or call us at (408) 356-4241.

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