What Happens After Botox Cosmetic Wears Off?

Question

One of my girlfriends told me she heard that Botox Cosmetic can actually make your wrinkles look worse after the Botox injections wear off.  Is this true?   I've never experienced this, but a lot of people I know are saying it.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

There is no logical reason why your wrinkles would look worse after the Botox wears off.
It is most likely that the individual has become accustomed to the relaxed appearance of the Botox treated face (and forgot what the wrinkles looked like) and when the product has dissapated they are suddenly shocked by the reappearance of their wrinkles.

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

There is a misconception that Botox makes you look older when it wears off. This is because your face simply goes back to its natural state. No new or deeper wrinkles and lines are caused by Botox injections. On the contrary, getting regular Botox injections actually make you look younger even after the effects wear off. Hope this helps.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Botox relaxes the muscles that are causing your wrinkles, and once the effect wears off, your muscles will return to their normal functionality and the wrinkles will assume their pre-treatment appearance. Your wrinkles will not look worse, but you may think they do simply because you've been enjoying how smooth the treated area looked while the Botox was working. There is no research indicating that Botox makes your wrinkles look worse. You can check this out for yourself by viewing your photos taken of the treated area before your treatment, then comparing them to photos taken once the Botox wears off.

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

Once Botox has worn off completely, your muscle movement will start to gradually increase and wrinkles will return to their original state prior to treatment. Botox will not cause your wrinkles to worsen.

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

After Botox wears off, the original wrinkles remain in the original depth and size. If the wrinkles do look worse, it is most likely due to sun damage as opposed to the Botox injection. 

	Excessive exposure to UV rays will damage the collagen that is responsible for keeping the skin firm and elastic. If the skin has received a substantial amount of UV exposure during the 3-4 month period, then yes, it is likely that the skin will look worse once the Botox has worn off.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Botox will not cause your wrinkles to worsen after injection. If anything, I think your friend's memory may be the culprit.  We have had a few patients say to us that they think they are worse off after their Botox wears off until they see their before photo. Once the before photos are evaluated, this is never the case.
Botox may actually have you looking better even after it's worn off because it can cause some muscle shrinkage in the injection areas which in turn can lead to wrinkles that don't look as deep or noticeable.

Mariusz Gajewski, MBBS · Answer

No, this isn't true. There is no reason for the wrinkles to appear worse. If anything, the wrinkles come back less prominent, after each 3-4 month period.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your qustion! The lines where you got Botox injected will gradually return to its original prominence, and you’ll experience more movement in that area. Botox typically lasts on average from three to four months depending on how constant you get it. Generally, the more you have injectable treatments the less you need them. However, Botox will not cause your wrinkles to worsen. Best of luck!

Craig Austin, MD · Answer

Botox will not make your wrinkles worse. Most likely, they are used to the effect of Botox and forgot what the wrinkles looked like before! One suggestion is to take photos before the Botox treatment when there is no effect and compare to the wrinkles after 3-6 months when the Botox has worn off. Botox can actually prevent wrinkles from worsening.

Steven Zoellner, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Botox typically will last 3-4 months at best.  As the effects of Botox start to diminish you will slowly start to see your lines and wrinkles that were there prior to the injections return.  Botox will not cause wrinkles or lines to become worse.  It has been described that when a muscle blocking agent (Botox) is used on an ongoing basis, over time it could actually cause wrinkles/lines to become softer and less visible.

What Happens After Botox Cosmetic Wears Off?

Answers (19)

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