Botox Q&A
64%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
854 Reviews
Botoxbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Botox Cost: $425

Learn about Botox

3,016 people and 923 doctors are talking about Botox

Get Free Email Updates

Do Facial Muscles Weaken from Botox Use?

asked 2 years ago by ... in worcestershire uk
Latest answer by Edward Szachowicz, MD, PhD
Question viewed 916 times
Tags: face, muscle

Because you can no longer use the facial muscles while the Botox lasts, doesn't this mean that over the duration of using this product, that your muscles will weaken? Like any muscle in the body, the more you use it the stronger and more toned it becomes. Why would this not be true for the face also?

8 answers to Do Facial Muscles Weaken from Botox Use?

+1

Facial Muscles Are Slow To Atrophy With Botox

Botox in the muscles of facial animation, frowning, squinting, etc. are very slow to atrophy. I was the hope at the time that Botox was released that just several injections would weaken the muscles enough that follow-up treatments would drop off dramatically. This has not proven to be the case for the muscles of facial expression.There is some disuse atrophy, but the effects happen slowly, and it takes a while to change the amount or frequency of treatment. Botox affects the... more
Edward Szachowicz, MD, PhD

Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial Muscles do Weaken with Repeated Botox Use

There does appear to be some weakening of muscles treated with Botox after repeated injections.  This probably is due to "disuse atrophy".  The result of this is that the Botox injections will last a bit longer and can be reinjected after longer periods of time.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial muscle and Botox

Absolutely, the facial muscles will weaken if it is repeatedly paralyzed with Botox.  Therefore, you will find that return visits for Botox may extend longer and longer in time.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial Muscles Weaken With Repeated Botox Injections

It is helpful to have weakened muscles in the areas of facial wrinkles in the upper one third of the face. This means that with time you need the Botox less frequently and save money. This is an advantage and not a downfall of Botox. Regards
Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Muscles weaken with Botox

You are correct - with repeated and consistent use of Botox, the facial muscles which are being treated will weaken. This can be a good thing and lead to some patients going several months if not a year or more between treatments.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial muscles weaken after Botox

Yes, they do. Prolonged period of muscle rest are accompanied by muscle wasting (disuse atrophy) (Recall the feeling how your arm felt after being freed from 4 weeks in a cast or watching Astronauts attempting to walk after a few weeks in space?). Since the muscle we target with Botox are used to snarl, frown, pull the brows down etc - permanently weakening these muscles is actually beneficial. Good Luck.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox and Long Term Effects on Facial Muscles

Hey UK, Botox does weaken muscles. In the upper 1/3 of the face it is used to weaken the muscles that create aging wrinkles. Constant use of Botox for about 2 years results in atrophy of these muscles which results in a smoother, more youthful forehead. Take a look at patients who have had the unfortunate experience of having a facial nerve paralysis either from Bell's palsy, trauma, or surgery. They do not have wrinkles on the affected side. When used properly, Botox is safe and... more
Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox is safe because you don't need strong facial muscles.

Hi! The only purpose of facial muscles (unlike all other muscles) is to show emotion. To do that, they drag the skin around and create wrinkles. So you don't want to look "frozen" (from too much Botox or improperly injected Botox). But a little weakness in these muscles is a good thing (fewer wrinkles). That's why Botox is safe.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question