Botox results in Suwon: how many days until they appear, and when do swelling and bruising go away?

If you are bothered that your expression in the mirror looks the same a few days after botox, it helps to first know that the time it takes for results to appear differs by area. Botox is an injection treatment that uses botulinum toxin to temporarily block the contraction signal sent from the nerve endings to the muscle, reducing muscle movement.

It takes a few days for the signal to be blocked, so in thin expression muscles such as the forehead and between the brows, movement begins to decrease after a few days, while in thick muscles such as the square jaw, volume gradually decreases from 2 weeks onward. Swelling and bruising at the injection sites follow a different timeline: raised bumps settle within a few hours, and bruises fade over several days. At the Suwon clinic, during consultation we first ask when you last had injections and how you responded, then decide the area and dose.

In this article, we go through how botox reduces muscle movement, when results appear in each area, how long the effect lasts and why some people feel there is no effect, the process, swelling and bruise care, and side effects in order.

Botox key points

• The toxin blocks the release of signaling substances at the nerve endings, so the injected muscle contracts less.
• Thin expression muscles change from a few days later, while the square jaw gradually decreases in muscle volume from 2 weeks, with changes checked over 1 to 2 months.
• Wrinkle areas last 2 to 3 months on average, so the schedule is based on retreatment every 3 to 4 months, and every 4 to 5 months for the square jaw.
• Raised bumps settle within 2 to 3 hours, and bruising and swelling are slight and ease soon.

How does Botox reduce muscle movement?

For a muscle to move, a signaling substance called acetylcholine must be released from the nerve endings. Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the release of this signaling substance, so the injected muscle contracts less.

Expression muscles are thin and move often, so once the signal is blocked, the folding force decreases within a short time. Large, thick muscles such as the masseter, a chewing muscle, lose strength first, and as the period of reduced use accumulates, their volume gradually decreases. This is why, even with the same medication, the time to check for change differs by area.

Over time, new signal pathways grow at the nerve endings and the muscle moves again. That is why the effect has a limited duration, and the speed of recovery varies with how much you use the muscle and your lifestyle habits.

How many days does it take for botox results to appear in each area?

Even if you get injections on the same day, when movement starts to decrease and when changes can be checked differ by area. The table below shows the generally known course, and there are individual differences.

So when comparing before and after, the timing is set to suit the area. For wrinkle areas, photos are taken making the same expression at around 2 weeks, and for the square jaw, front and angled photos are taken before treatment and compared from the same angles 1 to 2 months later.

How is botox performed, and how long do the results last?

How long the effect lasts and why some people feel there is no effect

Wrinkle botox lasts 2 to 3 months on average, so retreatment every 3 to 4 months is recommended, while the square jaw gradually returns to its original size over 6 to 8 months, so an interval of 4 to 5 months is recommended. If only a few days have passed since injection, or if you judge a large muscle within 2 weeks, it is before changes have appeared, and deep wrinkles that remain even without using the muscle, or a jaw that looks wide because of fat and bone structure rather than muscle, change only slightly. If neutralizing antibodies form from frequent injections at short intervals, the response may weaken even at the same dose.

Treatment steps at our Suwon clinic

1. Personalized Consultation
2. Numbing Cream
3. Design
4. Disinfection
5. Treatment

The order above is based on wrinkle botox; the treatment takes about 10 minutes, and you can return to daily life right away. For the square jaw, the process goes without numbing cream in the order of personalized consultation, design, disinfection, and treatment. In the design step, injection points are marked while alternately checking your face with an expression and relaxed, and the formulation is chosen from Korean, Korean low-resistance, and German low-resistance options.

View Wrinkle Botox Procedure Information

View masseter Botox treatment information

When do botox swelling and bruising go away, and how should they be cared for?

• The small raised bumps at injection sites settle within 2 to 3 hours, but may last 1 to 2 days depending on your skin condition.
• You can wash your face and wear makeup starting 2-3 hours after treatment.
• For 3–7 days after treatment, avoid heavy drinking, smoking, saunas and jjimjilbang, hot baths, and strenuous exercise to prevent inflammation.
• Do not rub the treated area hard, and avoid vigorous massage or meridian massage for a month.
• For the square jaw, avoid chewy or hard foods where possible; any stiffness in the treated area passes temporarily.

Bruises form when the needle touches small blood vessels, and they turn yellowish and fade away over time. If swelling bothers you, just apply a clean cold compress lightly, and do not press the injection sites hard with your hands.

Botox side effects and precautions

Common reactions are raised bumps at the injection sites, small bruises, and mild swelling and pain, and most are slight and settle soon. When the effect appears and the degree of reaction vary from person to person.

Rarely, the medication may spread to nearby muscles, causing a drooping eyelid, a change in eyebrow shape, or an asymmetrical look at the corners of the mouth when you smile. With the square jaw, you may feel weaker chewing strength or notice slight hollowing below the cheeks, and these changes return as the effect wears off. Please tell us before treatment if you have a neuromuscular disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have ever had a hypersensitivity reaction to botulinum toxin, or are taking medication that affects muscle signals, such as certain antibiotics.

If swallowing, speaking, or breathing becomes uncomfortable, or your eyelids suddenly droop, please contact the clinic right away.

What is checked before botox?

In these cases, start by checking your previous treatment records

• It has been less than 2 weeks since your injection, and you feel there is no change.
• Wrinkles remain deep even when you are not making an expression.
• You cannot remember exactly when and where you had injections before.
• You feel the effect has become shorter than before, even with the same amount.

If two or more apply, it is best to first organize the dates, areas, and responses of your previous treatments before the next one. Whether to treat, the method, and the dose are decided together in consultation after a physician's examination.

In short, the time it takes for botox results to appear differs by area, so the key is to check the change at the right time and decide the next interval by watching for signs that it is wearing off.

FAQ

Q. How many days after injection do Botox effects appear?

A. In wrinkle areas such as the forehead and between the brows, movement starts to decrease after a few days, while in large muscles such as the square jaw, muscle volume gradually decreases from 2 weeks, with changes checked over 1 to 2 months. The timing and degree vary from person to person.

Q. When do Botox bruises go away?

A. Bruises at injection sites are usually slight and turn yellowish and fade away over several days. Avoiding heavy drinking, saunas, and intense exercise for 3 to 7 days after treatment may help bruising and swelling settle. If you have an important event, please let us know in advance.

Q. Is there a way to reduce Botox swelling?

A. Do not rub the injection sites hard, and if needed, care for them only by lightly applying a clean cold compress. Raised bumps usually settle within 2 to 3 hours and may last about 1 to 2 days depending on your skin condition, so it is best not to touch them impatiently.

Q. What should I do if botox does not seem to be working?

A. The time to check for change differs by area, so we first check the date of injection. If there is still no change after that point, we look again at the cause of the wrinkles, muscle thickness, and the interval since previous treatments, and decide the next plan in consultation.

Q. How long do Botox effects last?

A. Wrinkle botox lasts 2 to 3 months on average, and the square jaw gradually returns to its original size over 6 to 8 months. It varies with how much you use the muscle and your lifestyle habits, so we discuss the next appointment when signs of it wearing off appear.

Q. How can I find out the cost of Botox?

A. The cost depends on the area, formulation, and dose. We confirm in consultation how many wrinkle areas you want treated and whether you will also have the square jaw done before giving you details, and items by area can also be found on the treatment information page.