How Long Do Botox Toxins Stay in Your Body?

Question

I've had botox injections for the last two years. I had a particularly strong injection last February that froze my forehead for 6 months, and I have not had any since then, and will probably never get it again.

	My question is: is there any botox still in my body? It has been 10 months now--is my body clear of the toxin?

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with Botox.

	If your facial muscles that were injected 10 months ago are moving again then it is likely that the Botox is out of your system.

	In some patients who have had Botox consistently for more than two years, there is an anti-aging effect even after the Botox has worn off. There are fewer lines, and the quality of the skin tone and texture improves.

	Be well.

	Dr. P

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

It's unfortunate that you had to experience this. It usually takes far less than year for Botox to leave your system, so by this time it's probably gone.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Botox usually lasts for about three to four months, however repeated treatments can prolong results. After 10 months, the Botox in your probably has probably disappeared, although it may take a little longer depending on your physiology.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Botox is metabolized over 3 to six months.  Botox is never permanent and is completely metabolized and excreted and does not remain in your body.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Botox will generally stay in the body for about 3-4 months. For those that have used the product continually for a period of time, this may be longer.

	To determine if Botox is still working after 10 months try raising your eyebrows. If the muscles in the forehead cause horizontal creased wrinkles to form, then the effects are gone.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Botox works by binding to nerve endings, preventing them from contracting.  Botox lasts about 3-4 months.  The body metabolizes Botox through the liver and kidney excretion. Other alternatives to Botox are Xeomin or Dysport. I recommend having a consultation with an expert to discuss your concerns and to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck!

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your experience. Botox only stays in the body for 3-4 months after injection. Botox works by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles. Next time seek out an experienced injector.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS · Answer

For most patients, botox will stay in your body for 3 - 6 months. For patients who have used the product continually for a long period of time, the duration in the system will increase. An experienced and expert injector will create a natural look.

Louis W. Apostolakis, MD · Answer

Botox is a protein.  This protein actively binds to and deactivates a specific type of nerve, the ones that control voluntary muscles, sweat glands, and saliva glands.  The "toxin" description is only in the event that the deactivated nerves are important to life function, like breathing for example.  Typical volumes of Botox injected into the face for cosmetic purposes are too small to have any impact on any "life function". . .by a lot. 

	Botox protein is "digested" by the body naturally over a few months.  It has never been shown to do anything except as noted above and has been in use for more than 20 years.  The most dangerous part of coming to my office for a Botox injection, is the drive to the office. . . again, by a lot.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The Botox binds to the receptor sites of the muscle fibers and gradually gets broken down over 4-5 months. I would not worry too much that there is any around at 2 years.

How Long Do Botox Toxins Stay in Your Body?

Answers (13)

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