Will Botox work for me again if I take a break for one year? What are my alternatives if it continues to not work?

Thanks for your question, it is very rare to develop antibodies to Botox when used as a cosmetic treatment. I conducted one of the largest studies assessing Botox and other versions of Neuromodulators (Xeomin, Dysport) and the risk is very very low. Waiting a year between treatments does not increase your risk of this. There is no downside to waiting other than the cosmetic changes. Botox, Xeomin and Dysport Review

Thank you for your question. Neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport require a great deal of precision in both dosing and needle placement to ensure an optimal outcome. Taking a break from your treatments won’t hurt future results. I recommend scheduling a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience and training in these products. With a qualified provider, you might see a better result with your next treatment session. 

Another option is to try Xeomin or Nuceiva. Xeomin does not have any of the complexing proteins that you body may have developed antibodies for. Nuceiva is very similar to Botox, but a different product and the antibodies may not work on the Nuceiva. Also to note, it had been 5 years since you have started the Botox. Your dose may no longer be adequate, try increasing the dose. 

the treatmetns do not lose effect just because you take time off, I suggest seeing an expert if one stopped working you can consider another.  At home dermarolling should be done between to help prevent and maintain fine line improvement. Best, Dr. Emer.

If you have it, then a rest or an alternate botulinum toxin A will make absolutely no difference. You might try having service with a different injector who uses a different technique. Myobloc is a botulinum toxin B. It is not a practical alternative to botulinum toxin A. It does not last nearly as long and it also tends to spread. Hope that information helps.

In your case, the amount of product injected may be no longer enough to give the result that you need. In cases like this, you can try increasing the amount of product or change to another neuromodulator besides Botox-like Dysport or Xeomin. Waiting for a while may not be effective if you want to achieve the desired result. Other factors should also be considered, like how strong the muscle is, but they can only be evaluated in the consultation. Chose an experienced injector that can explore other options to give you the result you want, in case these changes are not effective.

Hi there, if you are no longer getting results from your Botox and dysport there are two other options on the Canadian market. Please talk to your provider about the other two neurotoxins. Each one had different complexing proteins, and one of the neurotoxins on the Canadian market has no complexing proteins. In some people antibodies are made against the complexing protein of the neurotoxin, and not the toxin itself. People who suddenly have no result from botox can respond to different neurotoxins well. Another option is to go up in dose, overtime, people usually require higher doses as they age.

Thankfully Botox stops working in a minority of patients. In your case, one alternative Dysport was tried, and didn't work. You might also try Xeomin. Also, know that there will be new botulinum toxins coming in the next year or so, so don't lose hope! You may or may not respond in 1 year's time...the longer you wait however, the more likely that those antibodies disappear.

If you have truly developed resistance to Botox and Dysport, then time off from the product will probably not make a difference.  You can try Xeomin which works slightly differently.  If you do not find improvement you can consider overall improvements to skin tone and texture such as Morpheus8, FaceTite,  and lasers.

It is theoretically possible to develop resistance to the proteins which stabilize some botulinum toxin type A preparations, such as BOTOX and dysport. Xeomin doesn't have the same risk, but if you've had any of the other brands, then that risk is there. 
Your provider is wrong: having 'a break' shall not make any difference if you have developed resistance. Therefore, your options are: 
- Forget about softening your frown lines; 
- Try a different provider who knows about botulinum neurotoxin B (rimabotulinum/ MYOBLOC).