Will using Botox for glabellar lines lead to smoother skin and less product usage over time?

Question

I’ve never had any injection on my face before, but really considering using Botox for my 11 lines area. Is it true that regular Botox use can actually retrain certain muscles to move less, leading to smoother skin with less Botox over time for that specific area?

Erin Smith, MD · Answer

The use of neuromodulators such as Botox may lead to improvement in static and dynamic lines of the glabella due to weakening or decreased muscle movement. Some studies have suggested the rare possibility of decreased movement even when the neuromodulators have worn off. It is advised you discuss this with your treating provider.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi saisaiso81! Botox works by temporarily relaxing facial muscles in order to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, but it does not retrain muscles to move less. The muscles can weaken over time for the patient's who routinely get Botox injections. I hope this was helpful!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

"​For glabellar lines (or frown lines / ""11"" lines), we inject Botox, Xeomin, or Dysport into the muscle, causing the muscle to weaken and improving the appearance of the lines. These work by binding to receptors that send nerve signals for muscles to contract. Since your body makes new receptors and neurotransmitters all the time, it needs to be maintained otherwise the wrinkles will slowly return as the muscle regains function over time. Neurotoxins take 2 to 4 weeks to start working and lasts for up to 6 months.

For deeper glabella lines or strong 11s, I use a combination of Botox with fillers, lasers and microneedling with PRP. I suggest getting a formal evaluation with an experienced cosmetic dermatologist and expert in lasers and fillers. Best, Dr. Emer
​"

Cory Bovenzi, MD · Answer

Botox use doesn't retrain muscles as your facial expressions are "hardwired" from the brain to the nerves to the muscles. What Botox does is prevents the muscles from being stimulated by the nerves and thus, they relax the muscle for 3-4mo but when it wears off the muscles have their full capacity again. With repeated injections of botox you will have continued improvement of your wrinkles but with age usually we see people need a higher dose as the years go on since there are more wrinkles as the skin ages. I hope this helps!

Sergio Gaitan, MD, FAAD · Answer

Yes, Botox is an excellent medication for treating glabellar lines. If you don't have any deep-set wrinkles, you should notice smoother skin and complete removal of fine lines within the first 2 weeks. Deeper set wrinkles take more sessions. Overtime the muscle becomes weaker and the same dose will last longer. You can look at my Botox before and after results page on my website to see what kind of results you can expect. If you are ever in Miami, Fl we would love to help out.

Geeta Yadav, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Botox temporarily relaxes facial muscles in order to smooth fine lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial muscle movement, but it does not retrain muscles to move less. The muscles may weaken over time for people who repeatedly get Botox injections for extended periods of time, allowing them to lengthen the time between appointments. That said, most people need re-treatment at the four month mark to maintain their results. Hope this helps!

Derakhsh Fozouni, MD · Answer

Hello!
You are right! Botox is used to relax certain facial muscles. Botox effect last around 3 months but it differs from person to person. If you keep treated the same muscles with Botox every 3-6 months your will eventually need less units of botox for the same treated areas. Also, the skin folds that usually form in the 11s will be prevented or significantly diminished.

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Using Botulinum toxins like botox or other neuromodulators/toxins (e.g. Dysport) indeed appears to have long-term benefits to the treated area. We have also seen this to be the case with fillers. In some cases less Botox can be used, in other cases we simply inject less frequently; that said, this isn't always the case.

Christopher C. Lo, MD · Answer

Botox doesn't retrain the muscles-- actually, it allows these muscles to slightly weaken, which allows the overlying skin to smoothen. While you can sometimes reduce the amount used in particular areas, these muscles can strengthen up if the treatments are not repeated every 3-4 months. Be well!

Amir Mortazavi, MD · Answer

Usually it takes about 2 rounds of treatment to notice the smoothing out of the fine lines and as you continue with your scheduled botox with out missing your treatments youll notice further improvement. As time goes by the muscle becomes weaker due to reduced activity and its possible that youll require less botox. But in general not much botox is used in those areas so the change might only be a unit or two.

Will using Botox for glabellar lines lead to smoother skin and less product usage over time?

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