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Will I Get Permanent Side Effects if I Try Botox Just Once?

Is it possible to try Botox just once or once you start the procedure there will be a permanent effect on the area if you don't keep up with the injections? I'm thinking of Botox for the first time.

Asked 36 months ago by Ali M. in new york

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risk safety side effects

No reason why you can't have Botox just once

Hi Ali, Botox has a better safety profile than Aspirin, so when it comes to the possibility of a permanent side effects the chances of that are minuscule. There's no reason why you can't have Botox just once. If you don't like it you can stop right away and any effects will have worn off after 4 months. On the other hand, most of our patients love it once they see the results and cannot stop even if they want to. Good luck with your first Botox experience. Hope it is a good one for you.... more

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Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

No permanent changes from Botox

Botox used only a few times is unlikely to cause permanent problems - outside of complications (it is possible - though extremely unusual - to have a hematoma from a botox injection that may leave some scar tissue or contour deformity). Botox itself usually does not have an effect that lasts beyond six months. There is some discussion that being treated for years with Botox can cause some atrophy (weakening and shrinking) of the muscles it is used to treat but this is usually a subtle... more

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Botox is among the safest treatments

All medications have side effects. Too much aspirin and you get a stomach ulcer. The remarkable thing about Botox is its proven track record of safety with millions and millions of treatments. The effects of Botox last about 4 months. By four months, the blocked neuromuscular end plates that were affected by the Botox are replaced by the body. There appears to be some retraining effects that might persist longer than this time frame. However even these gradually wear off. So... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox is not known to give a permanent side effect

Ali, Thanks for asking a great question. It is possible to have a Botox treatment once and the effects only last approximately 3-6 months. The effectiveness of Botox is usually based on how relaxed your muscles become and what area you are receiving Botox in. My experience has been if you get Botox for your smile lines around the eyes, the muscle is thinner, and Botox does not seem to last very long there. However, in the glabellar area (between the eyebrows), it seems to last longer... more

Andrew Y. Kleinman, MD

Westchester Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

All Botox effects are temporary

The beauty of Botox is, there are no permanent side effects. It is safe to try it once and, if you don't like it, it will go away in a few months and you will have no residual effects. That's also the bad news. If you love your results, those too will go away. But you can always get more.

James McMahan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Permanent side effects from Botox

Botox effects on the muscles injected last 3 to 4 to 5 months, There can be temporary side effects such as bruising or an eyelid droop but, again, not for longer than 5 months. Most people who get Botox, love the results and keep coming back. Be careful who you go to, in order to reduce your chances of the temporary side effects mentioned. The best choice would be a Board Certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon.

Eugene Mandrea, MD

Chicago Dermatologist

No Permanent Side Effects From a Single Botox Session

Hi Ali, The only permanent effect from Botox injections is that if you are like the great majority of patients who have Botox, you will love the way that you look and desire to have more in the future. This applies only to FDA approved Botox by Allergan. Unfortunately there have been many "Bogus Botox" cases where patients were injected with non-FDA approved Botulism toxin resulting in severe complications, including a death of a woman who was looking for the "cheapest... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

No permanent side effects from Botox

Botox effects are by nature, temporary. One caveat, however, is that on repeated treatments, the effects may be longer lasting and more powerful, because it causes some atrophy of the muscle. Even these, however, will be reversible if injections stop all together, and the same forces act on the muscle over time.

Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

All effects of Botox are gone in 4 or 5 months.

To Ali M., Hi! There is no commitment to stick with Botox. Most people do stick with it only because they like the results. If you are a good candidate, try it. The technique of injection is important, and you have to use the right number of units. You will see the full effect in 2 weeks. Then it is all gone in 5 months, and you never have to do it again if you don't want to. There are no long term effects.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox is never permanent

Thanks for your question. Botox used cosmetically is never permanent. The effects usually last for 3-4 months, and if not reinjected, your lines will return to the same way as before the treatment. Botox blocks neurotransmitters from causing the muscles to contract and cause your wrinkles/lines. With Botox, the muscles don't contract and there are no lines, but this effect wears off over months as new neurotransmitting junctions are created by the body to get the muscles to start working... more

Don Mehrabi, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologist

Botox is tempoarary

Botox does a great job is reducing or eliminating the frown lines between the eyes and the crows feet. The results, however, are temporary, lasting an average of 4 months. With continued use you will see longer intervals before needing another injection.

Robert M. Jensen, MD

Medford Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

No permanent side effects from Botox injections

In general, there are no permanent effects or side effects from Botox which is one of the reasons it is so widely used. There are no permanent effects on the injected area(s) from a single or series of Botox injections. Botox has a well established safety profile. I suggest you consult with a qualified practitioner that you feel comfortable with, and who is able to answer any and all of your questions. Good luck.

Bryan K. Chen, MD

San Diego Dermatologist

Botox effects are temporary

The effects of Botox are only temporary - lasting 3-6 months. If you are unhappy with the look Botox gives you, you should be back to yourself in a few months.

Jeffrey Ellis, MD

Long Island Dermatologic Surgeon

No permanent Botox side effects

Botox has become the most common cosmetic procedure in the world for a reason! Botox works and has very few side effects. There are some temporary (but no permanent) side effects. The temporary side effects include bruising, swelling and rarely inappropriate muscle weakness (such as eyelid ptosis).