Does Zinc Really Make Your Toxin Last Longer?

Can you really make your toxin last longer by taking zinc supplements? That’s the rumour that does the rounds on the internet every now and again – and, we can definitely see why the idea is appealing. After all, while toxin is great for smoothing wrinkles, it doesn’t tend to last very long (on average around three to four months).

So, with the help of the experts, we did some digging into the claims. Here’s what you need to know before you click ‘add to basket’ on those zinc supplements…

Where did the idea that zinc could prolong toxin come from?

“The idea goes back to a small study from over ten years ago that looked at a specific supplement called Zytase,” explains the cosmetic doctor Dr Raj Thethi. “The supplement combines zinc with something called phytase, which is meant to help your body absorb zinc more effectively. In that study, people who took the supplement a few days before their toxin treatment reported that the results seemed to last longer; sometimes by up to a third.”

On the face of it (if you pardon the pun), that all sounds rather exciting, and “it’s become one of those things that pops up now and again in the tweakments world, especially among patients who want to optimise their results with toxin brands such as Botox or Nuceiva,” says Dr Thethi.

What does the science say?

The science does kind of fit: “Toxin is a zinc-dependent metalloproteinase, meaning it relies on zinc for its action in blocking nerve signals to muscles,” explains the nurse practitioner Elaine Williams of Eos Aesthetics.

So, “if someone’s running low on zinc, or hovering at the lower end of normal, there’s a theory that they might not get the full effect,” continues Dr Thethi. “Supplementing, in those cases, might help prolong your results.”

But, there’s a big emphasis on might…

“The science is early, and anecdotal at best,” warns Dr Thethi. “The study people often reference was small, and we don’t have large-scale, independent research to back it up. So while it’s an interesting concept, it’s not a guaranteed solution and I wouldn’t hang my turban on it just yet.”

Williams agrees: “In my opinion, there is not enough evidence to support the prescribing of zinc” – and Zytase, the zinc supplement used in the study, is prescription-only in the UK. “There is probably no harm in patients taking zinc supplements, but I would reinforce that there is no strong evidence base.”

Who could actually benefit from taking zinc to extend toxin?

Still tempted to give it a go? It is probably only a good idea if you have a zinc deficiency.

“If someone’s vegetarian, vegan, or has gut conditions like IBS or coeliac disease, they might be more prone to lower zinc levels. So in those groups, it might be worth considering, ” says Dr Thethi. “If someone’s results from toxin have suddenly dropped off and we’ve ruled out other causes, zinc could also be on the checklist of things to explore.”

However:

“If someone’s already got decent zinc levels (the majority of people), taking more isn’t going to boost their results and overdoing zinc long-term can cause issues of its own, like copper deficiency,” warns Dr Thethi.

“Excess zinc can lead to nausea, diarrhoea and cramping and will also affect the activities of copper and reduce the absorption of iron,” affirms the nutrition therapist Ian Marber. “An excess of zinc from all sources is 50-75mg daily, and while this should be okay for a few days here and there, any longer has repercussions and is not advisable.”

Be careful you aren’t already getting zinc through your other beauty supplements too. “Zinc will often be found in a multi, be that a powder or pill, as well as in supplements labelled skin, hair, nails, immune function and more,” says Marber.

Anything else to bear in mind?

If you do take a zinc supplement, when you take it matters.

“Zinc would potentially only be beneficial in the run-up to having a treatment not once the treatment has been administered as the absorption and internalisation of the botulinum toxin molecule takes less than five minutes in most,” explains Dr Thethi. “After that, zinc levels, a far as I can play it out in my head, wouldn’t have any further effect.”

Equally, the Zytaze supplement from the study contains phytase, which helps the body absorb zinc better. Simply popping a standard zinc tablet may not help your results.

The final verdict 

“If someone’s curious and informed, a short course of zinc in the run-up to treatment could be worth a try. Just not as a long-term habit,” concludes Dr Thethi. “And it’s definitely no substitute for good technique, proper dosing, and being treated by a medical practitioner who really knows what they’re doing.”

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