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People also ask
Are there any long-term side effects of Botox?
Is Botox safe for long term use?
What happens if you stop getting botox?
How bad is Botox for You?
Mar 18, 2024 · Research on the long-term effects of Botox and other neurotoxin injections, like Dysport®, Xeomin® and Jeuveau®, is limited but ongoing. Here’s what we know. Does Botox have any long-term side effects? If you want to maintain that wrinkle-free (or wrinkle-reduced) look, you’ll have to continue getting injections every few months or so.
2 days ago · “Very rarely, ‘tolerance’ to Botox can develop over longer-term use. That is, patients can become resistant to the effects of Botox,” says board-certified dermatologist Blair Murphy Rose, MD, FAAD. “This is thought to be caused by the development of neutralizing antibodies in the body.
- Wendy Rose Gould
- Overview
- Is Botox safe?
- How is Botox used?
- What are the Botox side effects to watch for?
- Are there long-term effects from Botox?
- Takeaway
While Botox is a toxin, when used properly the side effects are usually minimal and temporary.
Botox is an injectable drug made from botulinum toxin type A. This toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. There are many types of botulinum toxins like Xeomin, Dysport, etc. but Botox is a trademarked brand name that specifically represents onabotulinum toxin A.
Although this is the same toxin that causes botulism (a life threatening form of food poisoning), its effects vary according to the amount and type of exposure. For example, Botox is only injected in small, targeted doses.
When injected, Botox blocks signals from your nerves to your muscles. This prevents the targeted muscles from contracting, which can ease certain muscular conditions and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Although botulinum toxin is life threatening, small doses — like those used in the application of Botox — are considered safe.
1031 adverse effects associated with cosmetic use of Botox were reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 1989 and 2003. Only 36 were considered serious and 995 non-serious, and 6 of the serious cases may have had more to do with an underlying condition than with the drug itself.
With that in mind, some researchers speculate that cosmetic applications may carry less risk than therapeutic Botox injections because the doses are usually much smaller.
One well-cited 2005 study found that serious adverse effects were more likely to be reported with therapeutic use. This may be related to the underlying condition, or it may be because higher doses are needed to treat the condition.
Less serious, non-life-threatening adverse effects were more common in cosmetic use, possibly due to the larger volume of patients who receive Botox for cosmetic reasons, vs. patients who undergo medical treatment with Botox.
A 2021 research review concluded that some people given Botox injections experienced:
Botox is typically known for its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. For example, Botox injections can relax the muscles that cause:
•crow’s feet, or wrinkles that appear at the outer corner of the eyes
•frown lines between the eyebrows
•forehead creases
Botox is also used to treat underlying muscular conditions, such as:
•amblyopia (“lazy eye”)
Although Botox injections are relatively safe, minor side effects are possible. These include:
•pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site
•headache
•fever
•chills
Some side effects are tied to the area of injection. For example, if you get injections in the eye area, you may experience:
Since the effects of Botox injections are temporary, most people get repeated injections over time. But research on long-term effectiveness and safety is limited.
One 2015 study assessed the effects in participants who received Botox injections every 6 months to help treat bladder conditions. Researchers capped the observation window at 2 years.
They ultimately concluded that the risk of adverse effects didn’t increase over time. People who received repeated injections also had better treatment success in the long term.
But the results of a 2015 research review suggest that adverse effects may appear after the 10th or 11th injection.
For example, researchers in the 2005 study mentioned above observed 45 participants over the course of 12 years. Participants regularly received Botox injections. During this time, 20 cases of adverse side effects were reported. These included:
•difficulty swallowing
If you’re considering Botox treatments, it’s important to work with a licensed and experienced healthcare professional.
Working with someone who is not licensed may be more affordable or convenient, but doing so can increase your risk of complications. Remember, the toxin lasts 3 to 6 months, and you’ll likely need to return for multiple treatments.
May 17, 2024 · Botox is a common – and largely safe – cosmetic treatment. But it has emerged there can be some lasting effects from long-term use.
Apr 11, 2023 · While most side effects of Botox are temporary and resolve on their own, there are some potential long-term risks to consider. Frequent Botox injections over an extended period may cause permanent changes to facial expressions or the inability to make certain facial movements.
Feb 29, 2024 · Studies indicate that Botox can lead to alterations in muscle composition, function, and gene expression, which may persist beyond the typical duration of its therapeutic effects, potentially impacting muscle physiology in the long term.
Jul 29, 2021 · Is It Safe To Use BOTOX in the Long Term? BOTOX is an FDA-approved, low-risk treatment with a great safety record. If you continue to work with an experienced, credentialed injector, it is unlikely you will experience any negative effects of long-term BOTOX use. What Happens If I Stop BOTOX After Several Years?
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