The short answer: every 3–4 months. BOTOX® Cosmetic and its cousins Dysport® and Xeomin® typically last three to four months, so most patients maintain results with treatments three to four times a year. Book your next visit when you first notice movement returning — not after lines have fully re-formed — and results stay continuous.
That's the schedule. Here's the reasoning behind it, and how to tune it to your face, from the treatment room at Carroll Cosmetic Club.
How does Botox actually work?
Neuromodulators temporarily block the nerve signals that make targeted facial muscles contract. Less contraction means less creasing of the skin above the muscle — which softens frown lines, forehead lines, and crow's feet caused by repeated expression. The medicine wears off gradually as nerve endings regenerate, which is why results are temporary and maintenance matters.
What does a typical first year look like?
| Timeline | What's happening |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Treatment — about 30 minutes, no downtime |
| Days 3–7 | Lines begin softening (Dysport® often a day or two faster) |
| Week 2 | Full effect; first-timers get a dose check |
| Months 3–4 | Movement starts returning — book your next visit |
| Year 1 | 3–4 treatments; many patients find lines soften overall with consistency |
Can I stretch the interval longer?
You can — nothing bad happens if you wait, your lines simply return to baseline over time. But patients who stay on a consistent 3–4 month schedule often find the treated muscles weaken slightly with time, meaning softer lines at rest and, sometimes, fewer units needed to maintain. Waiting until lines are fully back means starting the softening process over each visit.
Does the product matter for scheduling?
All three neuromodulators we offer — BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport®, and Xeomin® — last roughly 3–4 months. Onset differs slightly (Dysport® is often visible in 2–3 days; Botox® and Xeomin® in 3–7), but your maintenance calendar looks the same regardless of product.
How do I make maintenance affordable?
Maintenance is exactly what The Club was built for: members get Dysport® and Xeomin® for as low as $9 per unit and save 15% on everything else, and BOTOX® visits earn Allē rewards automatically. Four visits a year at member pricing usually costs less than people expect — see our pricing page.