Botox: Q&A

Ask a Question

Muscle Stimulation Machine to Get Rid of Botox?

A doctor overinjected my masseter muscles with botox (he almost might have gone too low on my crows feet, I'm not sure which) and now I can't really smile on one side of my face; instead of curving upwards, my lip moves straight out horizontally and my cheeks don't lift. He suggested coming back into he office for some sort of machine (it might be a laser) that should stimulate the muscle and thus help break down the botox more rapidly. Is this a legitimate strategy?

Tags:

cheeks machine removal

Comment on this

9 Doctor Answers | Asked by lapcas in Los angeles, CA

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (0)

Addressing over-injection of Botox

The machine is unlikely to help break down the botox more quickly. Botox blocks nerve conduction at the neuromuscular junction, and until new synapses "sprout", the treated muscle is paralyzed. These new synapses form in 2-6 months. Your smile symmetry will improve as the effects of Botox wear off, but unfortunately there is not way to expedite this process.

Donald B. Yoo, MD

9 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.donyoomd.com

Muscle Stimulation Machine to Get Rid of Botox?

Hello Lapcas. I have not heard of a machine that will get rid of Botox. Botox paralyzes muscles by blocking certain receptors on the muscle. You must wait until your body creates new receptor sites for the muscle to function again. This takes between 3 and 5 months in the areas where the Botox was injected and often less time in the areas where the Botox "traveled" to. Ultimately, it goes back to the way it was by 3 to 5 months. more

Sam Goldberger, MD

12 reviews

Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.neweyelids.com

Muscle Stimulation to correct excessive Botox effects?

There are several confusing issues here which don't make sense. If you inject the crow's feet and place the product two deeply, the botox could spread to the zygomatic muscle which would effect smiling. Injecting the Masseter does not truly alter one's smile. More active muscles tend to dissipate the toxin more quickly but I am not aware of any study which suggests that extermal stimulation of the muscle will expedite diminution of the botulinum's effect. These... more

You might also like...

Real Stories

Botox-Been Doing It Since Age 28, Now I'm 44 - Weatherford, TX

I started doing Botox in my late 20's as a preventative. Waiting til your older is not the...

Before + After Photos

View 448 Botox photos

Nothing but time can reverse Botox effects

There are ways of stimulating muscle by direct appication of electrical current. That would cause a muscle twitch or slight contraction at the moment of the application of the current, but it does not break down Botox or reverse its effects. Botox binds very tightly at the neuromuscular junction and prevents the signal from the nerve to the muscle to contract. A muscle stimulation machine can cause the muscle to contract momentarily but does not do anything for the... more

Botox machine

I've never heard of this type of machine and I think many of my colleagues would agree. Also, the science behind how botox works also contradicts this type of machine. The machine may stimulate the muscle but I doubt is breaks the Botox down. Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.

Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD

3 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Muscle Stimulation "Machine" to Get Rid of Botox Quicker?...or Placebo Effect?

Hi Lapcas, Not aware of any machine that can stimulate muscles that are paralyzed by Botox. I would be very skeptical. Perhaps physician is counting on the placebo effect. Like chicken soup, it can't hurt (unless you are charged for the "treatment"). Hope that your muscles return to normal quickly. Good luck and be well. Dr. P Los Angeles. CA

Michael A. Persky, MD

21 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drpersky.com

Muscle Stimulation Machine to Get Rid of Botox?

Unfortunately, I am not aware of any machine that has been reported to accomplish this. I assume what you are referring to is a TENS unit which has been used to stimulate muscle activity in muscles that have lost nerve innervation due to stroke, etc. For this to be effective you will have to use it many times and for an extended period of time. The good news is that your condition is temporary and will resolve itself in a month or so.

Botox and muscle stimulation

Muscle stimulation machines do not reduce the effects of Botox. Botox takes about four months to breakdown.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Botox: Unwanted Results

Botox is a purified neurotoxin that strongly binds with proteins to deactivate the messaging system between nerves and muscles. It does so, with such efficiency, that it is used in clinically to treat muscle spasticity. These patients’ muscles return to normal function (loss of Botox effect) at the same rate as average individuals without overstimulated muscles (muscle spasm). Unfortunately there is no immediate fix for your condition. However, the best remedy for your current... more

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.