What happens if you use expired Botox?

Author: Carson Reilly  |  Last update: Friday, January 2, 2026

Expired or diluted products won't provide the desired effects. Poor storage conditions can degrade Botox, reducing its potency.

Can Botox be used after the expiration date?

There will always be an expiration date on the package and this typically will be around 2 years. Once the Botox has been mixed with saline, it is generally recommended to use it within 4 hours. However, it is thought that it will probably maintain its potency for up to about 2 weeks following mixing.

What happens if you inject old Botox?

The potency of reconstituted Botox is not degraded by subsequent refrigeration for 4 weeks. However, there are definite concerns regarding its sterility, and hence its safety, since multiple withdrawals from the same vial over long periods can introduce bacterial contamination.

Does Botox lose its effectiveness?

Over time, the body metabolizes the Botox protein, leading to the return of muscle movement and making botox eventually stop working. The effects of Botox usually last around three to four months, but this can vary significantly from person to person.

What are the symptoms of Botox toxicity?

Among all 22 people, symptoms began a median of 3 days after exposure (range 0 to 20 days) and included symptoms near the injection site (e.g., blurred vision and ptosis after facial injection), dry mouth, slurred speech, shortness of breath, fatigue, and generalized weakness.

I almost RUINED my face!!! | Botox Masseter

How do you know if Botox is bad?

Common indicators that Botox may have gone bad include drooping eyelids, uneven results, excessive bruising, or prolonged swelling beyond the expected recovery period. Difficulty swallowing or breathing could also signal that the toxin has spread to unintended areas.

Has anyone got botulism from Botox?

Here, we present a case of iatrogenic botulism in a 47-year-old female following Botox injections, highlighting the clinical features, diagnostic challenges, and treatment associated with this uncommon condition.

What makes Botox wear off quicker?

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.

What do celebrities use instead of Botox?

Celebrities often pick alternatives like Dysport, Xeomin, and Juvederm. These fillers add volume or reduce wrinkles differently than Botox. They're popular for their varying effects and durations.

Why not get Botox on forehead?

The potential side effects of the Botox procedure in the forehead include pain in the injected area, bruising, swelling, and inflammation.

Do you age faster after stopping Botox?

No. Even after you stop using BOTOX, you will still look younger than you would have if you had never been injected. One study of twins found long-term BOTOX use led to fewer and less severe wrinkles in the long run, effectively slowing the aging process.

What is the best fridge to store Botox in?

Only an approved medical refrigerator such as Lec Medical's Pharmacy Plus range can provide the controlled temperature required to store botulinum toxin. A domestic fridge falls way below aesthetic industry standards and should never be used.

Does Botox go bad if not refrigerated?

Any deviation from this storage temperature and environment will affect its shelf life. Reconstituted Botox will not last longer than four hours out of the fridge, while the powdered non-reconstituted form of Botox will not be effective after five days at room temperature.

What is the black box warning on Botox?

WARNING: Distant Spread of Toxin Effect

See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. The effects of BOTOX and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection.

How do you know Botox has worn off?

How long does Botox last? Within three to six months after Botox therapy, toxins wear off and muscles regain movement. As a result, wrinkles return and issues like migraines and sweating may resume. To maintain results, you may choose to receive more Botox injections.

Does Botox degrade over time?

Eventually, the action of the neurotoxin will wear off and the nerves will again be able to send those signals to the muscles to start working or contracting. In general, Botox lasts 3-4 months. There will certainly be patients in which in lasts longer, in that 4-6 month range, or shorter, in that 2-month range.

What is Target's Botox in a bottle?

Argireline: What Is Is and How It Works

It's often dubbed “BOTOX in a Bottle” because it works by disrupting the signals that cause facial muscles to contract, giving a temporary break to the muscles. This helps soften expression lines and wrinkles, offering a non-surgical option to BOTOX injections.

What is the closest thing to Botox over counter?

Our Top Picks:
  • Best Overall: The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA, $21.
  • The Editors' Pick: SkinCeuticals P-Tiox, $148.
  • Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum, $295.
  • Best Retinol: RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum, $30.
  • Best for the Neck: Reserveage Beauty Firming Neck Cream, $31.

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 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.

What vitamin helps Botox last longer?

Take a Zinc Supplement

In a study from the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, researchers found that people who received Botox and then took a 50-milligram zinc supplement saw a significantly longer duration in their results.

Why no ice after Botox?

Because there may be redness and swelling almost immediately after BOTOX injections, many patients are tempted to ice their faces to alleviate these effects. However, while there's no issue with the cold, the pressure you apply with the ice pack may interfere with results.

What are the neurological side effects of Botox?

FDA has reported adverse events after BoNT injection affecting nervous system far from initial site of injection such as speech disorder, nystagmus, restless leg syndrome, and even coma. Central nervous system involvement included 23.5% of serious and 24.9% of non-serious events (1).

What kills botulinum toxin?

botulinum are heat-resistant, the toxin produced by bacteria growing out of the spores under anaerobic conditions is destroyed by boiling (for example, at internal temperature greater than 85 °C for 5 minutes or longer).

Is Dysport safer than Botox?

The good news is that both Botox and Dysport are totally safe and FDA-approved to treat wrinkles. That being said, any medical treatment comes with the risk of unintended side effects — Dysport and Botox are no exception.

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