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Is Botox Ever Permanent?

asked 1 year ago by Mistral99 in Phoenix, AZ
Latest answer by Melissa Chiang, MD
Question viewed 1,356 times
Tags: eyes, lines, lips, nostrils, female, permanent

I have a tendency to squint or have my eyes closed while pictures are being taken and a pretty gummy smile. In October, I had Botox injections around my eyes and right between my nose and upper lip. Long story short I like the way the eyes turned out but I can't smile now unless I completely force it. I'm worried that I won't be able to smile again because I've read here that Botox should wear off within 4 mos, this is my 3rd month. Are the effects of Botox ever permanent?

23 answers to Is Botox Ever Permanent?

+1

Botox for Upper Lip. Will My Smile Return?

Hi Mistral.  We agree with the other practitioners that your smile should be back just as it once was as soon as the Botox wears off.   We usually see less duration in the area you are speaking about, the upper lip.  Normally the Botox we inject in this area only lasts about 6-8 weeks, but it may be that we are injecting much smaller doses and hence the upper lip weakness you show in the after picture.   Give it some more time and everything should work at as... more
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

+3

BOTOX PHOTOS: Botox is not permanent

I have never seen the effects of botox to be permanent. Anything is possible but this is highly unlikely and in most instances, its effects should be competely dissipated by 6 months.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox always wears off

Botox always wears off. Different patients have different durations, but typically it wears off between 3 and 6 months. Be patient for a while longer.
Melissa Chiang, MD

Houston Dermatologist
+1

Permanent Botox?

Thank you for the question. You do not have anything to worry about because the effects of Botox are never permanent. Best wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

The effects of Botox are never permanent

The effects of Botox routinely last 3-4 months. Occasionally, the effects can last shorter or longer depending on each individuals metabolism of the product.
Steven E. Rasmussen, MD

Austin Dermatologist
+1

Botox effect is temporary

Botox is by its nature not permanent. It will wear off but lasts longer In some patients than in others depending on your muscle tone, number of times you have undergone treatment and the amount injected.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox is not permanent!

The science of Botox is that it is a protein molecule that irreversibly binds to receptors used for muscle contraction. Theoretically, then, Botox should indeed be "permanent," right? Actually, every person's body makes new receptors, at slightly different rates, which is why Botox "lasts" longer for some and not others--those who make new receptors faster find their Botox "lasts less long," whereas those who make receptors more slowly have their Botox... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox lasts a bit longer in the lower face

My guess is that instead of getting just 1-2 units into the levator nasi superioris muscle to improve your gummy smile, you got more. The muscles in the lower face can be very sensitive to Botox, so one must be conservative. Your smile will return to normal, but it will take 4-6 months.
Mary Lupo, MD

New Orleans Dermatologist
+1

Botox is not permanent.

Can Botox be permanent?  No, it cannot be permanent. You may alter your ways of expressing your face movements while under the influence of Botox and subconsciously never reverting back to the old ways when it wears off but this is different then the Botox not wearing off. It will wear off every time.
Harlow Hollis, MD

Victoria Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox can be permanent!

Not in your case as explained by others! BUT: for non-voluntary habit movements such as overly squinting repeated injections can help you loose the habit! and then the result is permanent! NOT as a result of the product, BUT by habit change. Which actually is one of the big successes in my practice.... In your case: it can take a long time for small muscles to recover, but eventually they will, so don't worry!
Ivar van Heijningen, MD

Belgium Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox - permanent

3 months is still too soon (usually) for Botox to wear off.  It isn't permanent but in some people can take up to 6 months (or more) to wear off.  Be patient, it should resolve itself.  If you have any concerns, you should go back to your doctor to discuss.  I'm sure he/she would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.
Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox is not permanent

Botox treatments wear off as the body overcomes the blockade that botox forms in the communication between nerve and muscle.  That may take 3-4 months but sometimes closer to 6 months.
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Is Botox Permanent?

No worries.  The good news is that Botox (or Dysport) is not permanent.  However, if you love the results, the bad news is that Botox (or Dysport) is not permanent!
Mitchell Schwartz, MD

South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

+1

Botox is permanent?

Botox is not permanent. It lasts about three to four months and the muscles gradually are able to produce expression. 
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox is not permanent

The effect of Botox to relax muscles is a temporary one. However, the longevity of the effect is dependent on a number of variables. The amount of Botox used can influence longevity, different patients have variable responses, different muscle groups recover function at different rates and to a lesser extent the technique of how the Botox is administered can influence the duration of effect. Using Botox in the lower portions of the face and neck can be very effective and worthwhile but... more
Mathew C. Mosher, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is Botox Ever Permanent?

Regarding: "Is Botox Ever Permanent? I have a tendency to squint or have my eyes closed while pictures are being taken and a pretty gummy smile. In October, I had Botox injections around my eyes and right between my nose and upper lip. Long story short I like the way the eyes turned out but I can't smile now unless I completely force it. I'm worried that I won't be able to smile again because I've read here that Botox should wear off within 4 mos, this is my 3rd... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox is never permanent...Thank goodness

Botulinum toxin injections are made to wear off over time.  This characteristic of Botox is actually a good thing if you think about it.  Suppose you have a treatment and are dissatisfied.  In that unfortunate situation, your only resolve is realizing that in time the product will no longer be active.
Corey L. Hartman, MD

Birmingham Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

BOTOX RESULTS ARE NEVER EVER PERMANENT

BOTOX isn't permanent ! Some people can take up to more than the standard 4 months to wear off. Be patient, it will resolve soon. Go back to your qualified injector, so the next time different areas may be treated using different dosages or not at all. Dr. Carlos Cordoba MDCM, CSPQ, FRCS, FACS Plastic & Esthetic Surgeon 4055 Ste-Catherine O. Suite 100 Montreal, QC. Canada H3Z 3J8 514-932-7667
Carlos Cordoba, MD

Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox is not permanent but it may take time for the muscles to relearn.

Do not worry. Your lovely smile will return in full force soon. Botox can last four months or more, especially if a large dose was used. During this time, your muscles also can get a little used to working a different way, but once the Botox is fully worn off, your orbicularis oris muscle will get trained back to its usual ways and your full bright smile will shine once again.
Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH

Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ArtofDermatology.com

+1

Botox effects are not permanent

The effects of binding botox to muscle receptors gradually fades after 3 months. After repeated injections I have observed the effects lasting as long as 9 months in select patients
Edward Lack, MD

Chicago Dermatologist
+1

Botox is NOT permanent

Please don't be concerned. Botox is not permanent. If you had a significant number of units in the levator muscles of the upper lip to minimize the gummy smile effect, it may take up to four to even five months but it should resolve 100%.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Beverly Hills Botox

Thanks for the question. Botox Cosmetic does not produce permanent results. You can expect a decrease in wrinkles treated with Botox Cosmetic for a period of 2-5 months, on average. Warmest Regards, Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Glenn Vallecillos, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox permanent? No

As my colleagues have stated, botox is not permanent.  It generally lasts from 3-6 months and the effects will wear off gradually.
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

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