Is muscle atrophy a significant issue when getting Botox?

Botox works by relaxing dynamic muscles that cause wrinkles, so that they stop contracting and folding your skin. Without constant contraction, the muscle does atrophy over time, just as your biceps would atrophy if you didn’t exercise them regularly. However, long term studies have shown that the muscle atrophy is not permanent and when you stop your Botox treatments, the muscle activity returns in 3-4 months! Please consult a board-certified dermatologist who is an expert injector and has experience working with younger patients.

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Your boyfriend is correct in that Botox leads to muscle atrophy given its consistent use.  For aesthetic purposes of dynamic wrinkles to the forehead this is a desired effect.  Remember too that the overall starting muscle bulk is minimal.  Hope this helps.

Thanks for your question and photos.
You are correct that BOTOX can cause a disuse atrophy however as the cause is completely different from a CVA you can always expect it to return back to normal. Botulinum toxin works at the pre-synaptic nerve ending and blocks the release of Acetylcholine which would normally activate a muscle. The cleaving of Snap-25 proteins is permanent and irreversible but over the following weeks/months your body regenerates fresh SNARE proteins and so the synapse starts to function again. 
Some people have used BOTOX for years and years for cosmetic reasons and still find that it predictably wears off and that their muscles return to normal.
Good luck!
Dr Chris Macdonald
CRM Aesthetics

Your boyfriend is correct in that Botox leads to muscle atrophy given its consistent use.  For aesthetic purposes of dynamic wrinkles to the forehead this is a desired effect.  Remember too that the overall starting muscle bulk is minimal.   

I have a large group of patients who have been consistent Botox users for 15 years and I have never seen anyone with atrophy of their foreheads.Best wishes

Yes, Botox works by blocking the muscle receptors that cause your forehead to wrinkle.  If you can not purse the area by contracting the muscles in your forehead then over time the muscles will thin and flatten out - atrophy.  This will not cause any long term problems except to soften your appearance.  Over time, new receptors will form and the area will start to move on its own again.  If you go long enough without re-treatment, the area will return to its original state.