What is the connection between zinc and Botox? Just scroll social media and you’ll see thousands of videos that share the same tip: Take 50 milligrams of zinc every day for five days before your Botox treatment, and watch the wrinkle-free benefits stick around longer than the usual four to six months.
Zinc, meet Botox
Sounds unbelievable? Turns out the idea does have some scientific merit: A study on the interaction between Botox and dietary zinc concluded that taking zinc can prolong the effect of treatment with botulinum toxin by an impressive 30%.
But before you start scheduling your dermatologist appointments further apart, consider this: The proof may not be as rock solid as it seems. “There are very few studies on this topic. The main one dates back to 2012,” notes dermatologist and nutritionist Dr. Christian Merkel of the Skin and Laser Center at the Opera in Munich, Germany. “What’s more, this study was carried out on a rather small number of test subjects—77 to be precise.”
The Botox-zinc link
To understand how zinc may interact with Botox, it’s important to understand why they were studied together in the first place. “Zinc is a coenzyme that is required for the metabolism of botulinum toxin in order to produce the full effect,” explains Merkel, who notes that most people generally already get enough zinc naturally to achieve this effect. “Very few people have a proven zinc deficiency. Only in such cases would an additional intake of zinc before Botox treatment actually be worthwhile.”
So what do experts recommend? You can try zinc, if you want—but don’t expect it to be a magic pill. “At this point the evidence that taking zinc supplements could prolong the effects of Botox are not very strong,” notes Konstantin Vasyukevich of New York Facial Plastic Surgery. “However, since Botox requires zinc to function properly, an argument could be made that in cases of zinc deficiency the effects of Botox would be weakened. In this situation taking zinc supplements could help.”
Merkel agrees: “As a dermatologist, I have no problem if patients would like to take 50 milligrams of zinc over five days in advance—that is certainly not harmful,” he says. “However, I am also convinced that patients who do not have a zinc deficiency will not benefit from taking zinc and therefore I do not advise my patients to do so.” In other words, it couldn't hurt, but there’s just not enough data to guarantee better results.
Can the duration of botox be shortened?
If it might be possible to prolong the effect of Botox through supplementation, is it possible to also shorten the effects through poor diet or lifestyle? “One thing is certain: Botulinum toxin lasts shorter in some people than in others,” Merkel says. “There are also many myths as to why this is the case. It is often claimed that exposure to heat could be the reason—i.e. that Botox lasts shorter in summer than when it is injected in the winter. Or the exact opposite: applying cool packs after the treatment will make the Botox last shorter. Neither is true. The claim that caffeine consumption is harmful and that you shouldn’t drink coffee after treatment is another persistent and absolute myth.”
The only thing that is true is that some people metabolize botulinum toxin faster than others. “In my experience, these are mainly very active people with a high basal metabolic rate, who do a lot of sport and perhaps also sleep little. They usually break down Botox faster. They can then be treated every three months.”
Is it possible to extend the duration of Botox?
If zinc isn’t a proven option for prolonging the effect of Botox, is anything? The answer is complicated. “There is really not much one can do to affect how the Botox works once injected,” says Vasyukevich. “However, one can prolong the effects of Botox by using good skin care, staying hydrated, and reducing exposure to UV light.”
According to multi-specialist physician Dr. Azza Halim, the results really do come down to a person’s unique biological response. “Many variables affect results and duration; Therefore even with supplements, results will vary by each individual lifestyle, health status, nutrition, activity, sun exposure and skin type.”
That said, there are some strategies that may help prolong the effects of Botox, pushing it slightly beyond its usually timeframe. “Avoid rubbing the injected areas within the first 24 hours post procedure as this can cause spread of the toxin, possibly affecting unintended areas,” says Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Jerry Chidester, CEO of The Plastics Clinic, who further emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes proper hydration, balanced nutrition, and minimizing stress. “Using sunscreen daily is essential,” he says. “Lastly, staying consistent with follow-up treatments at frequent intervals ensures the muscles remain relaxed, potentially requiring smaller doses over time and less frequent dosing.”
To that end, if you really want your wrinkle relaxant to last longer, one possibility really is to get injected more frequently—but not necessarily with more product each time: “As a doctor, you can use more units, but you can’t inject an unlimited amount. There is a saturation curve at some point,” Merkel says. “It is indeed difficult to go beyond the usual four to six months, which is why injecting more material is particularly suitable for patients who break down the botulinum toxin more quickly, i.e. after just two to three months.”
For those who need a glimmer of hope on the horizon, Merkel adds this: “There is a newer preparation that was launched in November 2024, which shows longer efficacy in the studies. 75% are still very satisfied after six months."
In the end, the question remains as to why the hype around zinc has proliferated on social media more than twelve years after a single small study was released. Wishful thinking perhaps?