Are There Different Strengths or Concentrations of Botox?

I have noticed with the last 2 injections with the same amount and the same areas that the injection stings more, and has a dimished effect and does not last as long.

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by SweetRain in Seattle, WA

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Botox

There are several ways to mix the Botox. Some use a more dilute formula than others. Some may inject more than others.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Botox injections vary

There are many factors that affect Botox. First, the dilution which leads to the final concentration, since different concentrations lead to different amounts of Botox per volume injected. Second, the time period since the dilution since the Botox degrades after being reconstituted and before being injected. Third, the injection technique can affect Botox result, so there there may not be consistency between injectors. Good luck.

Number of Factors Could Have Caused Difference

First, the amount of BOTOX is not as important as the dilution. If the same amount of BOTOX was administered but the dilution was increased, you would have received fewer units. Different physicians utilize different dilutions. Some of us, including myself, use different dilutions in different areas. For instance, I like the least dilution possible if I am injecting under the eye or around the mouth. I want precision and do not want diffusion. This would require a dilution of I cc in a... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

6 reviews

Virginia Beach Dermatologist

You Need to Verify the Number of Units

Each time you get Botox, providing you get reinjected just as the muscle function begins to return, you should get the same effect or even better over time. If the effects are not lasting as long it is likely the the number of units injected has been changed. You need to verify the number of units are are receiving and thus paying for. I'm not sure why the increased pain. Although the 30 gauge needle that is used gets dull very quickly and this increases the pain with each successive... more

Discomfort and effect of Botox injection

I totally agree with the other doctors. In addition, as noted, we usually dilute Botox to make it ready for injection. We can use different solutions for dilution, for example saline with or without preservatives. It may affect the pH (acidity) of the Botox solution, and the more acidic it is, the more it will sting. If the solution stays without use for a long time, it may also lose effect, at least partially. It may happen if the office uses Botox only occasionally, and keeps the bottle... more

The facts about Botox

Botox is the brand name for a product made by Allergan USA. The product contains a material (Botulinum Toxin) that is produced in nature by a bacteria. As of this writing, Botox is the only formulation that is currently FDA approved for cosmetic use in the USA. Other products are in the pipeline. The product is supplied in a vial that contains 100 units of freeze dried Botulinum toxin. Since it is freeze dried, it must be diluted with a liquid in order to be injected. The recommended liquid... more

Botox concentration

Botox comes as a freeze-dried 100 unit vial. The vial is typically mixed with a variable volume of fluid for injection. More important than the concentration of Botox is the actual number of units (which reflects the number of protein molecules) used. Perhaps you did not receive the same number of units the last two injection sessions. Some individuals can have decreased effects of Botox injections even with the same number of units. Rarely, people can develop antibodies to Botox. In... more

Find out how many units you got each time.

Hello Botox can be diluted in several different ways, depending on each doctor's preference. However, the number of units injected is what you need to know. One can inject the same number of units using different dilutions (the more dilute the mixture, the greater volume that needs to be injected). No matter how it is diluted out of the bottle, 25 Units of Botox is 25 Units of Botox. If your doctor has injected the same amount each time (and you have the same person injecting you each... more