How Metabolism Affects the Longevity of Botox and Fillers

In today’s article, we will try to answer why the longevity of injectable procedures is shorter for some patients compared to others, and whether it is possible to slow down the process of resorption and metabolic breakdown of the dermal fillers and the botox.

While we are constantly bombarded with information on how to speed up our metabolism and maintain good eating habits, when it comes to hyaluronic acid-based products or botox, a fast metabolism is not necessarily a good ally. Our bodies have different rates of processing the neurotoxin and the hyaluronic acid fillers, and some patients notice over time that the effect lasts much shorter. Typically, the duration is 3 – 4 months for the botox injections or from 5 months to 2 years for the fillers. Such patients are sometimes referred to as “hypermetabolisers,” and if you are one of them, you may feel disappointed by the longevity of the procedures.

Why do some people metabolise the neurotoxins and the dermal fillers faster than others?

It is generally accepted that the muscle mass and a person’s level of physical activity play an important role in how long the effects of the fillers and the botox last, but there are still no particular clinical results on how exactly the metabolism affects this.

There are active patients who seem to metabolise the fillers faster. However, there are also many cases of people with a fast metabolism whose fillers still last a long time. Most experts agree that the longevity of the filler or the neurotoxin depends on the body’s complex individual processing of substances, which may not always be directly related to how fast you burn off your lunch.

The type, depth, and amount of the product used, including the area of injection, all play a role in its longevity. In the very dynamic areas, such as the lips and the forehead lines, there is a stronger blood flow.

Additionally, if we consider the sources of stress in everyday life — the lack of sleep, the smoking, the obesity, the excessive alcohol consumption, the physical inactivity, and the UV radiation —all of these can affect the longevity of the injectable procedures.

Is it possible that the patient misjudges the longevity of the procedures?

It is possible. It is not uncommon for some patients to have unrealistic expectations about the effect of their injectable procedures. Often, a patient’s perception of how they looked before changes, so they may not remember how they looked before the fillers or the botox. The changes in the weight, especially when the overall body fat has decreased, can also impact the appearance of the fillers. To get a better idea of how quickly the effects of a neurotoxin or a filler actually wear off, it is recommended to take photos or videos of the facial movements immediately before and a week after the injection.

It is also important to remember that the results always diminish gradually, not immediately — no one’s results are the same on the 14th and the 60th day. Even with fillers that last two years, such as Juvéderm Voluma, the patient may need maintenance procedures every year to extend their longevity.

Is it possible for some neurotoxins or fillers to metabolise faster than others?

For the fillers, the answer is “yes,” but the rate of resorption usually depends on the filler’s composition. The particle size and the cross-linking of the hyaluronic acid molecules affect the filler’s duration. The larger the particles and the more cross-linked they are, the longer the product lasts, as it will take your body’s natural hyaluronidase (an enzyme in your blood that breaks down the fillers) more time to degrade the injected filler.

As for neurotoxins, some are observed to have slightly longer-lasting results than others, but the overall difference is minimal. You may achieve longer-lasting effects with more injected units.

How can the effects of fillers and botulinum toxin be prolonged?

The doctors usually recommend that the patients refrain from intense physical exercise for 3 days after the injection to allow the product time to bind with the body. There is no evidence suggesting that the excessive physical activity contributes to the filler resorption. The doctors caution that it is not worth sacrificing the health benefits of exercise, so just relax, work out, and let the botox and the fillers work for you.

Can zinc counteract the effects of hypermetabolism?

Although a 2012 study showed that zinc increases the duration of the neurotoxin effects by almost 30%, the dermatologists do not report significant benefits from taking it. Zinc is a great supplement for a good sleep, muscle recovery, and neutralising the fatigue. It also helps to stimulate the immune and the metabolic function, as well as the wound healing process.

Can you slow down the metabolism of the injectable products?

It is possible to extend the effect of an injected neurotoxin or filler if you get enough sleep, use sunscreen, and reduce your stress, but it is not worth stopping your workouts or rearranging your life. It is better to try a longer-lasting product (if that is an option) and consider regular maintenance procedures.