Does Botox not work for some people?

Author: Cicero Hessel III  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

BOTOX resistance is a situation in which a patient either has built up antibodies against the botulinum toxin, or happens to metabolize the BOTOX drug exceptionally quickly. As a result, for these patients BOTOX injections provide underwhelming results, a very short-lived effect, or no effect at all.

Why doesn't my Botox seem to have worked?

If Botox is not working for you, you may have developed Botox resistance. Immunity to Botox happens when the immune system develops antibodies that neutralize Botox proteins, rendering them ineffective. If you are immune to Botox, the drug will have partial to no paralyzing effect on your treated muscles.

Why are some people resistant to Botox?

“Botox resistance is a rare and not yet well-understood phenomenon that occurs when the body develops neutralizing antibodies,” explains Dr. Yang. The development of antibodies can be in response to either the active ingredient botulinum toxin or the supporting proteins in the given formula, adds Dr. Murphy.

Why do I still have wrinkles after Botox?

"After receiving Botox, a patient may unconsciously attempt to re-create the facial expressions in the area where treatment has paralyzed their facial muscles, "said Dr. Becker. "What can happen is that other, nearby muscles compensate--this can have the effect of actually creating new wrinkles."

What are the options when Botox doesn't work?

Thankfully, there are multiple alternatives to Botox you can use if aren't responding. Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau are the more common ones. Daxxify is a newer neuromodulator that is supposed to last a bit longer but not widely available at this point.

BOTOX INJECTIONS: Side Effects, Risks, Cost, & Experience | Doctor ER

Why would Botox not work on someone?

BOTOX resistance is a situation in which a patient either has built up antibodies against the botulinum toxin, or happens to metabolize the BOTOX drug exceptionally quickly. As a result, for these patients BOTOX injections provide underwhelming results, a very short-lived effect, or no effect at all.

What do celebrities do instead of Botox?

Alternatives to Botox include different types of injectable neurotoxins and fillers, laser resurfacing, and cosmetic surgeries. Diet and a healthy lifestyle can also help reduce the signs of aging.

Why am I not seeing results from Botox?

Some of the most common ones involve not getting enough Botox units for your skin issue, Botox not being injected correctly, or it could also be that some wrinkles are at a certain depth and could only be corrected so much.

What can ruin Botox?

7 Things Not to Do After Botox
  • Rubbing Your Face. ...
  • Sun and Heat Exposure. ...
  • Intense Exercise. ...
  • Taking Blood Thinners. ...
  • Alcohol Consumption. ...
  • Washing Your Face With Soap. ...
  • Applying Topical Products.

Why do my 11 lines look worse after Botox?

The appearance of vertical lines after Botox is due to its unique utilization and weaving. The corrugator muscle is responsible for creating the inter-brow number “11” creases. Once these muscles are crippled, the brain recruits the orbicularis oculi to produce the same expression.

What is the best alternative to Botox?

Below are 10 alternatives to BOTOX® that might help if you're seeking smoother or firmer skin on your face.
  • Cosmetic Acupuncture. ...
  • Microneedling. ...
  • Chemical Peels. ...
  • Laser Therapy. ...
  • Cryotherapy. ...
  • Facial Creams. ...
  • Neuropeptides. ...
  • Face Patches.

Why has my Botox only lasted a month?

Your physical activity level – Proteins needs time to get into the muscles after they are injected. The facial expressions made while working out could make your muscles contract much faster and cause the Botox to wear off.

At what age does Botox stop working?

Risks aside, it's worth noting that those 65 and up might not receive the results they're looking for after receiving Botox, which is one reason the FDA lists this age as their recommended cut-off. Ultimately, the decision to receive or reject Botox at any age rests with you and your doctor.

What cancels out Botox?

This is probably the first question an unhappy patient will ask. Unfortunately, there is no reversal treatment for Botox. Unlike dermal fillers that can be reversed by injecting hyaluronidase, there is no procedure to “undo” Botox.

What helps Botox last longer?

How Can You Make Botox Last Longer?
  • Be Gentle With Your Face for Two Days. ...
  • Sleep On Your Back. ...
  • Exercise the Treated Muscles. ...
  • Schedule Regular Injection Sessions. ...
  • Seek Treatment From a Reputable Provider. ...
  • Don't Exercise Immediately After Treatment. ...
  • Limit UV Exposure. ...
  • Get a Good Workout In.

Why no retinol after Botox?

Your skin can be very sensitive after your procedure and you may find retinol irritating. It is best to avoid anything that might promote inflammation while the area heals. Avoid using anything that might promote inflammation while the area heals.

Why does Botox not work on some people?

To answer this question, let's look at the 3 reasons why BOTOX will not work for you: You are not getting enough units. You are not being injected correctly. You have developed antibodies.

Why do I still have forehead wrinkles after Botox?

Our cases demonstrated the temporary appearance of new wrinkles after botulinum toxin treatment. These may be caused by hyperactivity and overcompensation of untreated muscles.

Is Dysport better than Botox?

When comparing the efficacy of Dysport and Botox, much depends on personal preference. Both have proven effective in diminishing wrinkles and fine lines. Some individuals might appreciate Dysport's swifter action, while others might gravitate towards the precision Botox offers.

What to use if Botox doesn't work?

What to do when botox isn't working for your patient anymore. If your patient didn't respond to the toxin, in three months, I would try another brand of botulinum toxin. I would still treat it the same way, just with a different brand of toxin,” Dr Janine explains.

Do the Kardashians do Botox?

Botox is FDA- approved and Kardashian-approved since almost all sisters have gotten an injection at some point. The beauty of Botox is that it can also delay any new lines, which is a win for anyone concerned about aging, which is probably everyone.

What lasts longer than Botox?

Daxxify (daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) is the most recently approved injectable Botox alternative. It's approved to treat frown lines and neck spasms. In a clinical study, Daxxify improved the appearance of frown lines better than Botox. The biggest differentiator of Daxxify is that it can last longer than Botox.

What makes you a bad candidate for Botox?

Not everyone is a good candidate for Botox. If you are in poor general health, your skin is very thick or you have existing muscle weakness in the proposed injection site, you may not be a good candidate for Botox. Patients with sensitive skin may experience an allergic reaction at the injection site.

What is the failure rate of Botox?

This is an effective, well-tolerated treatment6 requiring repeat injections every 6–9 months. However, the failure rate varies from 6% to 32% depending on the studies, and increases over time.

Why does Botox wear off faster for some people?

Other patients are simply fast metabolizers of the product. Several factors can contribute to this including genetics, exercise and stress. While genetics are out of our hands, you can try to improve stress reduction and reduce high intensity workouts to see if this affects your neurotoxin longevity.

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