Got a Covid booster 3 days after Botox and now it's wearing off rapidly - could I have developed antibodies to Botox?

Question

I got a Covid booster 3 days after botox (doctor said it’d be fine). But my botox only partially kicked in (stopping after the booster on day 3) & is wearing off rapidly, less than a month after it was administered. Does this mean I’ve developed antibodies to botox? And if this was caused by having the vaccine so soon after botox, would waiting a few months before getting more botox help? Could immunity to botox wane after time if it was a result of the 2 being given so close together?

Jose Telich, MD · Answer

It's unlikely that getting a COVID booster shot three days after receiving Botox injections would cause the development of antibodies to Botox. Botox is a protein that is injected into the muscles, and it works by blocking nerve signals to the muscles, causing them to relax. It does not interact with the immune system in the same way that vaccines do.

It's possible that the timing of your Botox injections and COVID booster shot was coincidental, and that the rapid wearing off of the Botox is due to other factors, such as individual variability in response to the treatment or a lower dose of Botox being administered. It's also possible that the Botox simply did not take effect as strongly as you had hoped, which can sometimes happen.

It's unlikely that waiting a few months before getting more Botox would help if the issue is related to the COVID booster shot. If the rapid wearing off of the Botox is due to individual variability in response or a lower dose of Botox being administered, waiting a few months before getting more Botox might help, as the effects of the previous injection will have worn off by then.

James M. Economides, MD, FACS · Answer

It is unlikely that the covid booster caused antibodies to botox to form so quickly.  I would advise proceeding with another Botox session at your normal interval and see if it lasts as it did before.  If it doesnt't, you may have developed resistance and often a "Botox holiday" is helpful to regain effectiveness.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

At this time it is believed the Covid booster should not interfere with your Botox treatment.  There could be many reasons causing your concerns.  The area could have been undertreated.  Could the Botox have not been fresh? It's unlikely that you developed immunity as it is rare.  I encourage you to visit with your injector for an evaluation.

Mark L. Mazow, MD, FACS · Answer

There  have been a few papers recently showing a correlation between recent Covid vaccination and ineffective Botox. More study needs to be done, but my advice is to wait until this treatment completely wears off before have more injections.

Got a Covid booster 3 days after Botox and now it's wearing off rapidly - could I have developed antibodies to Botox?

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Answer: Botox and Covid Vaccine

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Got a Covid booster 3 days after Botox and now it's wearing off rapidly - could I have developed antibodies to Botox?

Answers (4)

Answer: Botox and Covid Vaccine

Answer: Botox and Covid Vaccine

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.