Due to the increased use of botulinum toxin in medical treatments and anti-aging cosmetic procedures, there has been a rise in patients experiencing Botox resistance. The symptoms are often similar: the injection yields no noticeable effect or difference. This applies to both Korean and American Botox brands. Many people may have heard about Botox resistance, but what exactly is it? What causes it? Is it dangerous? Can it be prevented or treated? Another frequently asked question is: Do all people who receive Botox experience resistance? To answer these questions and ensure a safer and more comfortable Botox injection experience, this post will summarize information about Botox resistance.
What are the symptoms of botulinum toxin resistance? How can we tell?
Signs of botulinum toxin resistance mean: Subsequent injections show no effect, or the effect becomes progressively less noticeable, for example, from 6 months >> to 4 months >> to 3 months. And the effectiveness decreases gradually until eventually botulinum toxin injections are no longer effective, which is contrary to the need to use increasingly larger doses of the drug with each injection.
The consequences of continuing to inject increasingly higher doses.
- The results were not as expected.
- A higher dose of medication may be required, resulting in higher costs.
- It's a waste of time and effort, and I feel bad about the doctor or clinic I went to because the treatment didn't yield any results.
- Some diseases that require treatment using this type of batoxin cannot be treated with this product.
If your skin is resistant to Botox, what should you do?
Once it's confirmed, or a doctor assesses, that a patient has developed "botulinum toxin resistance," Botox use should be stopped immediately. A waiting period of at least 6-12 months should be observed, and in some cases, up to 24 months, with periodic medical checkups to assess the body's rejection of the product.
Currently, you can have your blood tested for botulinum toxin resistance at a botulinum toxin resistance diagnostic center. The cost per test is approximately 1600 baht.
Things to understand about antibodies.
Botulinum toxin resistance is not limited to the site of infection, age of the patient, or combination of treatments and procedures. It primarily depends on the patient's behavior and the use of low-quality botulinum toxin.
Dr. Tar reveals 3 main causes of botulinum toxin resistance.
- Getting injected with fake, expired, or low-quality Botox into your body. Injecting counterfeit or smuggled, low-quality Botox is a common problem today. The main reason for this widespread issue is the unregulated import of Botox from abroad. This results in lower quality Botox and contamination with other substances, causing the body to react against these unwanted contaminants. Consequently, injecting counterfeit or smuggled Botox yields minimal or no results at all. During detailed patient history taking, these individuals often choose botulinum toxin that is unreasonably cheap or offers an unreasonably high quantity, leading to substandard Botulinum toxin and subsequent problems.
- Injecting Botox too frequently or too often. Frequent injections of botulinum toxin can lead to an increased immune response (producing more antibodies). Subsequent Botox injections may no longer show noticeable changes. Ideally, injections should be spaced at least 3 months apart, with an average frequency of every 4-6 months, depending on the effect of the Botox and individual aftercare.
- Injecting Botox excessively or unnecessarily. What does "excessive" mean? It means that injecting more doesn't necessarily mean greater or longer-lasting results, because the muscles in that area will malfunction. Botulinum toxin should not be injected in amounts exceeding 300 units per injection, as this may have undesirable side effects on the body. It's important to understand that injecting a large amount of botulinum toxin doesn't always mean longer-lasting results. In fact, injecting large doses of Botox... Injecting large amounts of botulinum toxin will produce a large number of antibodies that remain for a longer period, making it easier to develop botulinum toxin resistance. To protect the body from undesirable side effects, patients' behavior of choosing numerous, cost-effective promotions does more harm than good.
How to protect yourself from botulinum toxin resistance. It's very simple.
- Choose a trustworthy and honest clinic. Allow them to inspect the box, bottle, and the mixing of the medication in front of you before the service. Always receive advice and consultation from a specialist doctor before receiving any botulinum toxin injection.
- You shouldn't risk using botulinum toxin that seems too cheap.
- Before receiving services at a medical facility, ensure it is accredited and licensed, or verify the doctor's credentials.
- The choice of botulinum toxin brand doesn't significantly affect the treatment of drug resistance, but a specialist will recommend the best solution.
As of 2023, there is no medication that has been proven to completely eliminate botulinum toxin resistance. Please do not believe misinformation or seek uncertified medical treatment; the results will only be worse.
XEOMIN, a German botox, is it really effective in treating botox resistance?
In other countries, there is information suggesting that XEOMIN can help with botulinum toxin resistance because of its high purity, resulting in a lower risk of resistance due to its lower antibody stimulation compared to other brands. It is used to treat cases with a history of toxin resistance, but with the caveat that a 2-3 year break from all other botulinum toxin injections is required before starting XEOMIN, which research indicates will be more effective than other brands.
The highlights of XEOMIN
- The highest purity (zero protein) XTRACT Technology™ isolates only the therapeutic component molecules, removing unnecessary proteins (the complexing/unnecessary proteins) that do not participate in the drug's action.
- The smallest molecule, the toxin has the lowest molecular weight of only 150 kDa (Low Molecular Weight) compared to other brands of 500 kDa, allowing the drug to spread well at the injection site.
- High precision injection results in the most natural-looking outcome, without a stiff facial appearance.
- The effects are seen very quickly, within the first 24-48 hours after injection.
- Results last 4-12 months.
- Approved by USFDA and Thai FDA.
Botox promotion
Botulinum toxin resistance doesn't occur in everyone who receives botulinum toxin injections; this is a misconception. As long as the injections are administered appropriately—both in terms of frequency and dosage—and importantly, that it's genuine botulinum toxin and injected by a qualified physician, you can avoid developing botulinum toxin resistance.
Dr. Tar, Resident PhysicianD' Lovevery Clinic
