Northwest Face & Body

The Unexpected Change: What Happens When Botox Fades After 2 Weeks?

Dr. Ludwig Allegra

January 2, 2024

Botox is an injectable that usually provides results that last between three and four months on average. However, based on several factors, it can last for a shorter or longer period of time. So, what happens if you see your Botox results wear off much too quickly? There are a few possibilities as to why this may have happened.

1: Inadequate Dosage

Botox—like other medications—requires specific dosing based on the patient and treatment. Certain areas may need to receive more Botox while other areas may only require a few units. Also, if a patient regularly receives Botox, they may eventually need higher dosages due to the body beginning to build up immunity. Thus, if you notice little to no change after two weeks, go back to your injector for a touch-up.

2: Wrong Formula

Botox contains Botulinum toxin which does come in other formulations under different brand names. For example, Dysport and Xeomin are two common alternatives to Botox. Based on the proteins and preservatives in the formulas, some people may react more or less to one product versus another. Therefore, sometimes it is worth experimenting with more than one formulation to find the one that works best for you.

Also, while somewhat uncommon, some providers dilute their Botox as a cost saving measure. This rarely happens in physician’s offices or plastic surgery settings. Therefore, consider trying Botox from another provider.

3: Inexperienced or Unqualified Injector

Unfortunately, there are untrained, inexperienced, and unqualified providers who perform Botox injections cheaper than most qualified providers. While they may be medical professionals who can legally inject Botox, they may not inject it precisely and may consistently under or overdose. Therefore, if your Botox wearing off in two weeks becomes a repeated problem, consider finding another provider and compare the results you see with them to your previous injector.

4: Not A Candidate

Not everyone is a good candidate for Botox treatment. Botox specifically addresses dynamic wrinkles which go away when the muscle relaxes. However, if static wrinkles—wrinkles present regardless of if the muscle is engaged or not—are treated with Botox, there is likely to be little to no effect. In these cases, often the patient has progressed to aging which is better addressed with other treatments such as a facelift or laser resurfacing.

5: Immunity

As previously mentioned, the body can build an immunity to Botox. If you have frequently undergone successful Botox injections and this failure is new, it may be due to the body developing an immunity. In this case, switching to a different Botulinum toxin product, ceasing treatment, or increasing dosage may all be solutions. The right solution will depend on various factors such as the patient, their treatment regimen, and more.

Conclusion

The first step to getting successful Botox treatment is to find the right team of providers. At Northwest Face & Body, our team of medical professionals have undergone rigorous training and are now educators of future injectors. Familiar with multiple Botulinum toxin products and treatment options, our providers can treat wrinkles, excessive sweating, and migraines with expertly injected Botox.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 425-576-1700. Patients can also reach out online via chat, contact form, Price Simulator, and online booking.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Ludwig Allegra

Dr. Ludwig Allegra has provided Bellevue, Kirkland, and the surrounding areas with premier plastic surgery procedures for over two decades.