Is your Botox not working? Discover why and how to revive its effects
When your Botox no longer works it's called Botox resistance.
Image: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels
For years, Botox and other botulinum toxin treatments have been the ultimate go-to for smoother, younger-looking skin.
A few tiny injections and suddenly the frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles seem to vanish.
But what if one day your Botox just stops working?
Yes, it happens. And the reason behind it might surprise you.
It’s something doctors call botulinum toxin resistance, and while it’s rare, it’s a growing topic in the beauty world.
Botulinum toxin resistance happens when your body develops antibodies that block the treatment from doing its job.
Instead of relaxing the muscles and softening lines, the injections just don’t deliver the same results.
Dr Alek Nikolic, an aesthetic practitioner with over 25 000 treatments to his name, says resistance usually shows up in three ways: results don’t last as long, the muscles don’t relax as much, or the treatment stops working altogether.
Could you be at risk?
The chances are low, only about 1 to 3 per cent of patients experience it, but certain habits make it more likely:
- Getting treatments too often, especially closer than every three months.
- Using higher doses repeatedly over time.
- The specific brand or type of toxin used.
- Even the injection technique can play a role.
Using higher doses repeatedly over time can cause Botox resistance.
Image: Freepik
How to keep your Botox working its best
The trick is all about spacing and moderation.
Dr Nikolic recommends waiting at least three to six months between sessions and sticking to the lowest dose that still gives you great results.
And of course, making sure you see a highly trained professional makes all the difference.
What to do
You still have options, so there’s no need to panic.
Fillers, resurfacing treatments, skin boosters, and energy-based devices can all step in to give your skin a lift.
Some patients even take a “treatment holiday” for a few years to give their immune system time to reset before trying Botox again.
“Education empowers patients to protect both their immediate results and long-term treatment options,” says Dr Nikolic. In other words, knowing what’s going on with your skin is half the battle.
Botulinum toxin resistance is rare, but if you notice your Botox isn’t working the way it used to, it’s worth having an honest chat with your practitioner.
With the right game plan, whether that’s adjusting your schedule, switching up treatments, or trying new techniques, you can still keep your glow going strong.