Negative consequences of chin/mentalis muscle Botox long-term?

Question

I have had some trauma to my chin and have resulting issues with scar tissue and bunching /dimpling of the chin. Botox and filler treatments have really helped to improve this, but I am concerned about keeping this up over my lifetime (I am in my 40s, so this could potentially be several decades of treatments). Are there known consequences of treating this area for A long time? I worry about the impact on my jaw bone and to my smile, etc. Advice is welcome. Thank you!

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. Botox is an FDA-approved treatment with a great safety record. If you continue to work with an experienced injector, it is unlikely you will experience any negative effects of long-term Botox use. Furthermore, prolonged use with the right frequency and amount may “train” your muscles and prevent wrinkles –and you may not need as much Botox or need it as frequently. In some rare cases, however, some patients may develop tolerance to Botox. It is best to regularly check with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon, particularly one with extensive experience with injectables. Your surgeon can assess your skin, monitor how you respond to Botox, and recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Botox is not harmful. This has been used for years safely. There are side effects that can occur like causing skin sagging, and changing the mouth opening if not injected properly but that isn't harmful. I suggest dermarolling at home to give the skin Botox-like effects with at-home treatment. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

George Yang, MD · Answer

Hi, patients who have been using the same brand of toxin for many years/decades may one day notice the same dosage is not working as well as it did in the past. At some point, it is also possible that brand of toxin, no longer works for you any more. This is pretty rare to happen, but I have met a few. The one patient I remember most vividly, she had been doing Botox in Asia for her masseter muscles for over a decade. She move to NYC and went to a medispa for Botox to the masseters. She said it didn't work, and I suspected she got a lower dose since it was part of a Groupon discount, which most Masseter dosages are 2 to 3 times higher than for the crow's feet or frown lines. When I injected the appropriate dosage for her large masseters, it did not work at all. When she came back 3 weeks later, it appeared that she did not receive any botox at all. For these patients, I recommend that they stay with the same toxin until it doesn't work any more, so that the other brands are "new" to them. This will give them a better chance for the other brand to work for them, but it is also possible that their immune system now recognizes the botulinum toxin and it will no longer work for them anymore. The fillers I am not worried about bone erosion of the jaw bone, which can happen with chin and facial implants. The fillers last a long time, so they shouldn't be injected on a routine basis, but instead only when a deficiency is spotted. This may be 18-24 months or longer, depending on the patient, but should not be assumed that the filler is "all gone" after 1 year, like a candle burning out. Hope this makes sense. Good luck. Best, Dr. Yang

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  There should not be any long-term effects with continued use of either botox or fillers. Be sure to seek out a specialist for your treatments.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

There should be no negative consequences of long term Botox use.  After prolonged weakening of the affected muscle you may find you can go longer between Botox treatments.

Negative consequences of chin/mentalis muscle Botox long-term?

Answers (5)

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