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Possible Botox Problem - Chinese Brand?

asked 1 year ago by woman30 in Beijing
Latest answer by Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Question viewed 603 times
Tags: eyebrows, 11s, glabellar lines, problem

Two women and I got Botox just over a week ago at a reputable place near where we live in Beijing, with Chinese Botox. As background, we have all had Botox done once before, but in the West. Now, while the results are pretty good, we all feel like we are able to scrunch our eyebrows and 11 lines more than after each of our last times (for me, hardly at all and now a lot). Is this a sign that the doc didn't give enough to the glabella? Or could it be something to do with the Chinese brand?

14 answers to Possible Botox Problem - Chinese Brand?

Did I get Real Botox?

Hi woman30. In most cases a week is enough time to see the full results of Botox, but we schedule our checkups for first time patients 2 weeks after the initial visit to be safe. We schedule these checkups because we want to evaluate our work to see if it had the desired effect for the patient. You should call to schedule one with your current injector. If the injection has not had the desired effect, perhaps you should contact your old and new injectors to find... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Not every "botox" injection has real Botox

You may have been treated with a product similar to Botox but either a different version of the neurotoxin, or a less concentrated form. Even in the United States there were cases of "counterfeit" Botox being sold to reputable doctors. There was also at least one case where counterfeit Botox caused serious injury to the patient. In the future, ask your doctor to show you the actual vial of Botox that will be used for your injection and avoid any imitations. Dysport and... more

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Possible Botox Problem - Chinese Brand?

This is a very difficult question to answer because of the lack of information, however, the answer may be as simple as giving the Botox two weeks to really take effect. If at two weeks you are still not happy then I would return to your doctor and discuss your concerns.

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

True Botox does not come in a "Chinese brand".

My first concern is that you seem very sure that you had a "Chinese brand" of Botox. This was not Botox. Botox is the brand name of only a certain type of botulinum toxin made by the company Allergan, Inc., which does sell its true Botox brand to many countries. If your "Botox" was not from Allergan, then we are not able to comment on what exact molecule you had injected, and whether it should work as well or last as long, or be as safe. I recommend you come back... more

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ArtofDermatology.com

Botox in China

Difficult question to answer as you may be comparing apples to oranges on many levels. First and foremost, the "Botox" could be a substituted product....The usual and customary in the US is from Allergan, this is the gold standard product with great efficacy (means it works well and we have most experience with this.) Next, if the docs did use Allergan product, was the dose the same? Did you receive the same number of therapeutic units each time? Third, were the injections located i more

John Philip Connors III, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Botox needs 14 full days to judge result

Although weakening of the muscles can be seen sooner than 14 days, it really can take 14 days, (as the manufacturer states), to see the "full" result.

Debra Irizarry, MD
Crestone Plastic Surgeon

Botox

I can not be sure why the botulinum toxin innjection that you received in Beijing did not give you the desired result you were looking for. Perhaps it was not Botox from Allergan, maybe it was some other neuromodulator?

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Altrnative form of Botoc

Every manufacturer of botulinum toxin produces a different potency profile. Thiis requries the injecting physician to be very acquainted with teh product and doses require dfor the desired result. can don sigifia

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Chinese "Botox"

The Chinese produce their own botulinum toxin but I doubt the quality control is there. So all bets are off. You probably need a little more but I recommend you wait till you are back home.

Peter T. Truong, MD
Fresno Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.facialsurgerydr.com

Botox can vary its effect depending on the number of units and location of insertions

You may notice less of a result than you had with the Western Botox treatment, but you may also receive more benefit in the next week as there can be a delay. IF the muscle still moves, then more units need to be placed, in all probability, and this will possibly help. Of course, we can't comment on any Botox Cosmetic other than what is FDA approved here.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Chinese Brand of Botox

The Botox used in North America faces very rigorous production and testing standards that are not met in Asia, Russia or many other countries. The botulinum toxin that you had done is not necessarily the same type (there is botulinum toxin A, B, C, D etc) or was not administered at the same dose as that which you had in North America. I would stay with Botox manufactured by Allergan as that way you know exactly what you're getting - over 20 years of experience and millions of patients... more

Benjamin Barankin, MD
Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon

Chinese botox

Hard to say. Could be the last doctor used a different number of units and/or placed the injections differently. You could call each of the doctors and ask how many forehead units each used. Also, ask what manufacturers were used. This information will make it easier for realself doctors to answer your question accurately.

Daniel J. Ladd Jr., DO
Austin Dermatologist

Botox in Beijing

Without knowing how many units were used in this and your previous injections, it is difficult to answer your question. However, I would return to your treating physician, if possible, and see if they can give you a touch-up treatment. I would ask how many units were injected, which should be in your patient record. I have no experience with Botox made in China. To be on the safe side, I would recommend sticking with Botox that is purchased directly from Allergan.

Ryan Greene, MD, PhD
Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox - Chinese brand

It's hard to guess the reason why your Botox didn't work. In general I would recommend sticking to known products from reputable companies to make sure you don't get a bad product. You should always ask the doctor how many units they used. It's strange that you have minimal effect from the Botox - but it's possible you didn't get enough Botox. I'd ask the doctor who injected you what he/she thinks. Dr. Cat Begovic M.D. more