Why does my Botox only last 2 months?

Question

I use a very good doctor with a fantastic reputation in Ireland. However my botox only last about 2 months on my forehead. I do have a young face for a man in his 30s. Any ideas as to what biological process could be the reason and/or any way to get longer out of botox

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

The effect of a botox injection typically lasts between two to six months. The time frame can vary for several reasons, including smoking, diet, and sun exposure. Another factor to consider is the frequency of injections- it is generally not advisable to have injections in the same area more than every three months. Some patients report a longer-lasting Botox effect with repeated injections, while others report the opposite and appear to develop a resistance to the neuromodulator-- it is important to talk to your doctor to determine what could be the cause.

Adam Scheiner, MD · Answer

Dear Andy,Botox usually lasts around 3-4 months with normal dosing. Two reasons why it might last shorter involves using less dose than the muscle really requires and having a patients body develop some resistance to Botox over time.For the 1st cause, making sure the injector used the correct amount of botox is importantFor the 2nd cause, consider switching to Xeomin or Dysport to see if that different subtype of Botulinum toxin gives you a longer response.I hope this was helpful .

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Andy.  There are several different possibilities.  The first is that you are not getting enough units.  If the number of units is to small, then the product does not last as long.  If you are being sold the product by the "area" rather than by the "unit" this may be the case.It's also possible that you may metabolize the product more quickly than others, but this would just point to needing more units and should be fixable.Finally, regardless of what the reputation, there are good and bad injectors at all levels and if the product is not being placed correctly, it can affect your results.

Tanya T. Khan, MD · Answer

Hello, Botox typically lasts about 2-3 months. This may differ based on your injector's reconstitution method. Also I would consider trying a different type of neurotoxin, such as Dysport or Xeomin to see if the duration is different with those types.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

The vast majority of my patients have botox treatment benefit for 3 to 4 months. However, I do have patients who come in for my patented Microdroplet Lift® botox treatment sooner.  It is not that everything has worn off.  It is that these individuals are sensitive to the awareness that the intensity of the treatment effect is waning. The answer is to get a bigger dose of botox.  That is a problem if you are getting direct forehead treatment because some doctors have adopted a "baby" botox treatment for the forehead to prevent totally freezing the forehead.  My method relies on an entirely different approach by only treating the eyebrow depressing muscles.  This reduced the work the forehead muscle has to do.  Study the attached citations to learn more about this advanced method.  It might be the answer for you.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Botox typically resolves in 3-4 months, but the shorter longevity of your results may be due to factors like the amount of Botox used, metabolism, etc..  Xeomin or Dysport are Botox alternatives. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thank you so much for your question.There's no way to know for sure about why your Botox only lasts two months without second guessing your physician. I would suggest you consider switching to a different product like Dysport.Best wishes. Dr. ALDO

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

There can be a few reasons that your Botox lasts only two months.  One could be that you are undertreated.  You may want to speak with your injector about the number of units that are used.  Some people metabolize the product faster than others.  You could try a different neurotoxin such as Dypsort to see if you find improved longevity.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Botox generally lasts from three to four months.  However, if you are having it last only two months it could be the dilution or the number of units used or it could be the technique or your metabolism. Please consult an expert in Botox for the best results.  Best, Dr. Green

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

For many patients, a small amount of Botox softens the forehead lines and gives a natural result, but may only last 2 months.  If more Botox is used, it can last longer but there may be no forehead movement and possible lowering of the eyebrows for a heavy appearance.  I prefer a natural look using less Botox and it may only last 2 to 3 months.

Why does my Botox only last 2 months?

Answers (17)