Why hasn't my Botox kicked in?

Author: Elnora West  |  Last update: Monday, March 20, 2023

The most common reason that Botox does not work is that not enough was given. Botox is not a one size fits all treatment and the same dosage does not work for everyone. Some individuals may need additional Botox to reach an effective level of muscle weakness. The Botox may also be old, overdiluted, or fake.

How long should I wait for Botox to kick in?

In general, you can see the effects of Botox as early as 3 to 4 days after an injection. Dr. Oscar Trujillo, a facial plastic surgeon at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, says most patients will see results within 10 to 14 days but should wait the full 14 days to see the maximum results.

How do I know if my Botox didn't work?

“'Some telltale signs of 'Bad Botox' are asymmetry of facial movement, excessive brow elevation and unnatural brow shape, noticeable upper-eyelid hooding, a 'frozen' look, and some lines getting smoother and others looking exaggerated,” explains New York facial plastic surgeon Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD, who offers ...

Why does it take so long for Botox to kick in?

Botox takes time to work because it must reach the cellular level of the muscle in order to block the neurotransmitters in the nerve, eventually causing the paralyzation of the muscle. There are a couple of reasons that this timing varies from patient to patient: Area of treatment.

What happens if Botox isn't injected deep enough?

Even if the masseter muscle is reached, failure to inject deeply enough can leave the lower parts of the muscle moving as normal while the top part is relaxed, creating a 'chipmunk' appearance. Practitioners should aim to inject at the site where the muscle meets the bone, using a longer ½” needle for best results.

My Botox Didn't Work: Botox Resistance Explained

Why does Botox not work on my forehead?

So what could be the reasons behind Botox not working on forehead wrinkles? 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 I do if Botox doesn't work?

If you try Botox and it doesn't seem to work for you, talk to your healthcare provider. They may be willing to inject you again for free if you didn't get results the first time. If it happens again and you are still determined to have a line-free forehead, try seeing a different healthcare provider.

Can Botox start working in 2 days?

Botox starts to work immediately, but it does not reveal its results immediately. You can generally expect to start seeing the results of your treatment 48 to 96 hours after the medication is administered.

Can Botox kick in after one day?

The first “true” results will be noticeable within 24 to 48 hours – when you'll see a softening of wrinkles. Why does Botox need a couple days to start working? Botox freezes your muscles by stopping the release of acetylcholine. It takes awhile for your body to “use up” the acetylcholine that's already circulating.

What does Botox feel like when it starts to work?

What does Botox feel like when it starts to work? Immediately following your Botox injections, you may feel slight residual stinging from the injection. You may also notice a small bump at the injection site, a bit like a mosquito bite. No worries, these bumps will fade quickly.

What day does Botox peak?

Botox onset is 5 to 7 days. Botox peaks at 10 to 14 days.

Does Botox not work on some people?

While not very common, some people can actually develop a resistance to Botox which means it either doesn't work very well, doesn't last long, or sometimes doesn't work at all. Because botulinum toxin is produced by bacteria, the immune system may recognize it as an invader and deactivate it.

Does Botox work better the more you get it?

Thinking of getting Botox injections for your fine lines, but want to know if the effects last longer, the more you get botox injections? The short answer is; yes. The long answer is that the effects on wrinkles you see on your face, appear to be more effective the more frequently you get botox injections.

Can you get Botox and still have movement?

You should still be able to move your forehead and make facial expressions following Botox injections, as long as you have a full consultation with your provider prior to getting the treatment. It is important to discuss your aesthetic goals when getting a procedure such as Botox.

Can Botox move after 3 days?

Answer: Botox migration

The botox can migrate either at the time of injection or for a little while afterwards. The effect may only come on after days to 2 weeks later as the botox starts to work. The greater the volume injected the greater the risk of migration.

Should you move your face after Botox?

It's highly recommended that you move your face around a lot after getting Botox. This includes smiling, frowning, and raising your eyebrows. It's similar to facial exercises, minus the touching. Facial movement may look — and feel — silly, but it actually helps the Botox work better.

How long does it take for Botox to work on forehead?

You will not see a change straight away. It takes about 2 or 3 days to start working, and 2 to 3 weeks to see the full effect.

Can Botox move after 4 hours?

Botox aftercare and sleeping

Yes, provided you wait at least four hours before lying down. Botox® takes a few hours to settle into place, so lying down straightaway could cause it to migrate to other muscles in your face and increase the risk of complications.

How long does it take for Botox to work on 11s?

How long does Botox take to work on 11 lines? On average, it can take Botox 4-7 days to show results on 11 lines as the neurotoxin gets into the right places to block signals from the nerves to the muscles. To get faster results, you may do facial exercises for the neurotoxin to travel faster.

Why does Botox make your forehead shiny?

When someone is receiving too much treatment with anti-wrinkle injections, the skin can become extremely smooth and the light bounces off in a uniform way. So, the skin appears shiny, which is why it can look 'frozen'.

How does alcohol affect Botox?

Drinking after Botox can lead to a number of issues that may prolong your recovery. Alcohol has blood-thinning properties and is a vasodilator. This means that it causes more blood flow, and this can cause bruising and swelling at the injection site.

Why is my Botox not working after 3 days?

It can take up to one week for the Botox to show full effect. I would recommend giving it some time. Following up with your provider would be the next best step if you still do not see a result after a week.

Why doesn t Botox work on my 11s?

Botox® injections work well as a standalone treatment for mild to moderate frown lines. However, if the 11s are deep, Botox® alone may not be enough to reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles. For the best results with deeper 11s, dermal fillers can be used along with Botox® treatment.

Can stress stop Botox working?

Reduce Your Stress Levels

Consistently high-stress levels can cause the body to break down Botox more quickly while speeding the aging process. Taking part in meditation, yoga, and other stress-relieving activities can help you maximize the life span of your Botox while reducing any stress-related aging.

Should you be able to move your forehead with Botox?

The goal of the treatment should not be to immobilize any forehead movement, or else a patient will show the unwanted frozen face symptoms. A successful Botox treatment in the forehead should still result in the patient having some ability to move their forehead.

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