What is the Percentage of Incidences Where Botox is Not Effective at All?

asked 3 years ago by Karmyn Roberts in Saskatoon
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 2,960 times
Tags: 1 week post-op, effective, effectiveness, results

I recently (about 90 hours ago) had Botox injected into my frown lines and so far there is no change in my frown lines, no hint of paralysis, nothing. Everything seems as it was. I have had Botox 4 times, albeit several years ago, and had great results. Could it be that this dr. did not actually use Boxto? Or could it be that for some reason that it did not "take" this time?

11 answers to What is the Percentage of Incidences Where Botox is Not Effective at All?

There are possible reasons why Botox didn't work

Hi Karmyn, There are a couple possibilities for why the Botox injection has not delivered any results. It may not be long enough for the results to kick in. Wait 7-10 days and if still no results then schedule a checkup with your injector. It may be that there is a problem with the Botox. The product may have been too old. Botox does have a usable period after being mixed and it's possible that it was not used quickly enough. It could be that you are resistant. This scenario is less... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Give it a week

Karmyn, Be patient. Your Botox may take a week or even 10 days to begin working. The good news is when it does, it will last just as long as if it had taken within 2 days.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It takes 2-7 days for the effects of Botox to take effect

Be patient for a few more days as it typically it takes 2-7 days for the effects of Botox to be seen. After 23 years in practice, I appreciate that everyone is different and responds differently to various medications. With Botox there is no exception. If after a week, no appreciable response is seen then I would recommend you discuss your results with your injector. I hope this helps!

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Botox takes 3 to 7 days to start working

Karmyn, It typically takes Botox 3 to 7 days to start working, so don't get too worried yet. If your doctor actually used Botox Cosmetic, then you should not have a problem. It would be highly unusual for your doctor to not actually use Botox Cosmetic for your injection. That said, there is a very small percentage (1 out of 10,000) that can form antibodies to Botox, which inactivate the product. My suggestion is that you wait at least two weeks to see if the Botox works. If it does not,... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Botox takes time to set

I would still give it some more time. It generally takes about 3-5 days for the Botox to take effect. Having said that, I have paitents in whom it kicks in the next day and others that it takes 5 days. I myself have recieved Botox with little effect and I do believe that subtle variations in the manufactuiring process, chemical properties, delivery, preparation, administration, regional biological differences, etc can produce varying results with each injection session. Give it some more... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Botox and timing

It usually take between 5-7 days for the effects of Botox to kick in. You should give it a few more days. You may need to go back to the doctor's office to have a touch-up or a retreatment.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Give it time

I agree with the other physicians that time is the real factor here. It can take 3-7 days for Botox to get active. Once it starts to work, it may continue to improve for 1-2 weeks. This is the reason why most providers will ask a patient to return for follow up in 2 weeks after treatment: to get the optimal result. Let us know if you have any result from the injections in the next day or so via a comment. Lastly, it is very important for you to give feedback to your doctor so that they can... more

Sirish Maddali, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon

There are several possibilities for what might be going on.

1. The effect of your Botox injection might not have "kicked in" - may take up to 1 week to start working. 2. The batch of Botox from the manufacturer may be defective 3. An inadequate number of units was used 4. You may have developed antibodies against the Botox molecule (rare) I would wait for another week, then visit your doctor again and voice your concern.

Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

Give it another day or two

Hi there- it is possible that the Botox just hasn't had its effect yet (it usually does take a few days). I would give it another day or two, and then, if you still haven't seen any change, visit your provider. It's also possible that the Botox had lost its effect (this can happen if the vial of Botox was nearing the end of its useful period). If this is the case, I'm sure your provider will want to make this better for you.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Give it some more time

The onset of action of Botox can vary from injection to injection. I wouldn't start to worry until after a week with your still not seeing any results. At that point, call your doctor back for a re-evaluation.