Does Botox Stop Working?

Botox® is the most popular non-invasive anti-aging procedure on the market today, and it is a great option for the majority of patients. The injectable treatment is used to treat “dynamic” wrinkles caused by facial movements, and the results of the procedure, though temporary, can be extremely effective. With the popularity of Botox® growing each year, it’s not too surprising that for some, Botox® can stop working after a while or simply never work in the first place. But why does this happen, and what can you do if Botox® doesn’t work for you?

How Botox® Works

Botox® injections work by partially immobilizing the facial muscles that are responsible for “dynamic” wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are caused by the repetitive facial movements we use to express our feelings, resulting in “laugh lines” “crows’ feet” and “frown lines.” People begin to see dynamic wrinkles at different ages, depending on their lifestyle and genetics. The botulinum toxins in Botox® safely target the muscles to ease these wrinkles for a period of about 3-4 months at a time.

Waiting Period

Botox®, though a simple process that takes just a few minutes and does not require downtime, does not work immediately, as some patients initially think before they speak to their provider and undergo their first treatment. There is a period of a few days before the results of the treatment become apparent, so it will take a little time to know whether the treatment was effective or not.

Resistance

Because Botox is made from a safe form of the bacteria that causes botulism, the body will try to form resistance to the drug over time in some patients. The body begins to form antibodies against the product. Eventually the antibodies will block Botox® from working, and the facial muscles will recover very rapidly. At that point, there is little point in getting further injections of Botox®. This resistance process typically takes months or years to complete. It is recommended that patients wait until a former dose of Botox® has completely worn off before getting treated again, to help protect against resistance. Still, in some cases, this doesn’t help prevent the problem, and resistance occurs anyway.

Alternatives

Fortunately, Botox® is not the only option available for the treatment of dynamic wrinkles. Should the injections start to become ineffective, some providers offer Dysport as an alternative. Though the two treatments are essentially the same from the patient’s perspective, Dysport is a shorter protein, and often works for people who have developed a resistance to Botox®. Other options are also emerging, such as Xeomin. There are other non-invasive treatments available, but these are typically less effective for dynamic wrinkles, and work better for problems like static wrinkles and facial volume loss.

Discuss Your Options

Botox® may be the right choice for you, or you may want to consider alternatives. Whichever option is right for you, you will want to seek help from a skilled provider to help you get great results from your treatments. A board certified cosmetic dermatologist is a great choice for making your safety and results a top priority. Though the procedure may seem simple enough, there is a lot of skill and artistry involved in giving patients beautiful results and avoiding complications that can be prevented.

If you would like to speak to an expert about your options, come to Miami and meet with acclaimed cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Diane Walder. Dr. Walder is a skilled and experienced physician with years of experience in cosmetic dermatology and a distinguished clientele. Call 305-866-2177 today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Walder or her associate, Dr. Stacy Chimento.