18 Feb What are the effects of long term Botulinum toxin injections?
What happens if you use Botulinum toxin in the long term? What are the effects or side effects? Here’s what you need to know if you’re a fan of cheating ageing with this anti-wrinkle treatment.
It’s been 30 years since Botulinum toxin received US FDA approval and became commercially available for treating wrinkles. Since then, the record for Botulinum toxin injections to remove wrinkles or lift the skin has been shown to an effective, low risk treatment with a good safety record, especially in the hands of an experienced doctor.
That said, do you know that Botulinum toxin is not actually Botulinum toxin? Botulinum toxin is actually one of the brands of Botulinum toxin, the neurotoxin that’s responsible for relaxing wrinkles and hypertrophic muscles. When injected into muscles, Botulinum toxin modulates neurotransmission to these muscles to relax them and soften wrinkles. Because Botulinum toxin was the first brand of Botulinum toxin to be made commercially available, its name has become synonymous with the ingredient.
Despite the long safety record of Botulinum toxin injections; Botulinum toxin has had its share of skeptics. Complications such as deaths are very rare; and you can learn more about this is Is Botulinum toxin Deadly? Instead, frozen faces from excessive Botulinum toxin injections are the more common scenarios of Botulinum toxin gone rogue. (Pro-tip: switch to Baby Botulinum toxin to keep your facial expressions intact)
Related blogposts:
Too Much Botulinum toxin: Botulinum toxin Gone Wrong
Baby Botulinum toxin and Preventative Botulinum toxin in Your 20’s Is Real
One of the FAQs I get about Botulinum toxin in my clinic in Singapore from my patients is: What are the long term effects of Botulinum toxin? Will I look worse than I did if I get regular Botulinum toxin?
Although there are many studies to allay our fears about the short term use of Botulinum toxin; studies that looked at repeated use of Botulinum toxin for years are fewer, mostly because of its impracticality. However, there’s one very interesting study published in the Archives of Plastic Surgery in 2006. This study, conducted by a plastic surgeon in California looked at the results of repeated Botulinum toxin injections over years in identical twins. One of the twins received regular Botulinum toxin injections to her forehead wrinkles and glabella lines for 13 years. The other twin did not receive regular Botulinum toxin. Here are the results published in the journal:
Left: twin without regular Botulinum toxin; Right: twin with regular Botulinum toxin injections to her forehead and glabella regions. Image credit: Binder.
The results of these studies are reassuring to fans of Botulinum toxin (like me!). In the before and after photos shared by the plastic surgeon- the results are obvious. The twin who received regular Botulinum toxin injections to her forehead and glabella wrinkles- had barely visible wrinkles. Predictably, in her twin sister who did not receive regular Botulinum toxin, her forehead and glabella wrinkles were very obvious, even at rest. The dynamic wrinkles that appeared on her face when she frowned had progressed to fixed lines at rest called static wrinkles.
The fine lines and static lines are more obvious in the twin who did not receive regular Botulinum toxin (left). Image credit: Binder.
When injected into the facial muscles; Botulinum toxin relaxes the precise muscle to reduce wrinkles. This treatment also reduces the facial muscles on the skin; which can help to prevent the skin creases at rest, called static wrinkles. Once static wrinkles are formed, additional treatments are required to address the skin wrinkles. Some examples are skin resurfacing lasers such as fractional CO2 lasers; and dermal fillers.
Related blogposts:
How to Get Rid of Neck Lines and Wrinkles
In the lower half of the face, the nasolabial folds were similar in both twin sisters. This suggests that both identical twin sisters aged similarly; and the improvements in the upper face seen in the twin who was regularly treated with Botulinum toxin was due to Botulinum toxin. The twin sister who received regular Botulinum toxin for 13 years did not suffer from any side effects or adverse events from Botulinum toxin.
Based on this study, we can see that Botulinum toxin injections can help to delay signs of ageing and even prevent static wrinkles in the long term and are generally safe and well tolerated. If you enjoyed this blogpost, you may also enjoy these Botulinum toxin related reviews:
How to Make Your Botulinum toxin & Filler Injections Last Longer
Too Much Botulinum toxin: Botulinum toxin Gone Wrong
More Than Wrinkles: 5 Surprising Uses for Botulinum toxin
Shoulder Contouring with Trapezius Botulinum toxin Injections
Baby Botulinum toxin and Preventative Botulinum toxin
Jaw Reduction Botulinum toxin for a Slimmer V Face
Simply Tox
Posted at 10:04h, 27 MayIf you’re searching for trusted Cosmetic injections Salt Lake City residents choose for smoother, refreshed-looking skin, Simply Tox offers personalized treatments designed to enhance your natural appearance. Whether you want to soften fine lines, reduce wrinkles, or achieve a more youthful look, treatments are tailored to your individual goals and facial features. The focus is always on subtle, balanced results that help you look refreshed without appearing overdone.
Choosing professional Cosmetic injections Salt Lake City clients rely on can make a noticeable difference in both comfort and results. At Simply Tox, every treatment is performed with attention to detail, precision, and client care in a welcoming and professional setting. From your first consultation to post-treatment guidance, the experience is designed to help you feel informed and confident throughout the process. Whether you’re new to cosmetic injectables or maintaining your regular beauty routine, Simply Tox provides customized care focused on helping you achieve natural-looking, confidence-boosting results.