Reasons Toxin (Botox) May Not Work
Time and time again, we hear that clients have had issues with certain toxins when other providers used them. This article discusses the reasons you should think twice about why your toxin didn’t work – the issue may not be the toxin.
Improper Dilution
Toxin comes in a dry form and is mixed with saline by your provider or an assistant to produce the product that is injected. If the product is over-diluted by the person mixing it, then you may find it to be ineffective.
Improper Storage
All toxins except Xeomin require refrigerated storage and transport. If the toxin is not properly stored, it may lead to the product being less effective or ineffective.
Too Old or Expired
As with most products, toxin does have an expiration date, after which it may be less effective or ineffective. Additionally, after toxin is reconstituted (mixed with saline), it lasts for a limited time. Experts may disagree on the length of time a reconstituted toxin should be used, but generally if the toxin is used within a week, you should be good to go. If the toxin has been in liquid form for over a month, efficacy may be questionable.
Under dosing
Toxin has a dose-dependent response. How your muscles respond to the product may be variable from person to person. If your provider is using too little toxin, it may be ineffective or may be effective but wear off very quickly. If your provider charges by area, you may want to ask how many units were used and keep track of this number. Your treatment requirements may change, but if there is a drastic change, it is worth discussing why.
Counterfeit Toxin
Believe it or not, there are toxins sold by third parties that are not direct from the manufacturer. Often these products are less expensive for the provider. Additionally, it is possible to purchase toxin from other countries and have it shipped here. These black-market products are not FDA approved and potentially are ineffective or even dangerous. If the price of your toxin treatment is too good to be true, this may be why. Be sure your provider purchases their products directly from the manufacturer for safety and efficacy. FDA-approved toxins can only be purchased in New York State by a doctor (MD or DO) or a nurse practitioner (DNP or MSN). (https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/making-safe-choices/how-to-avoid-counterfeit-botox/)
Toxin Resistance
Recurrent, frequent use of toxin can lead to antibody formation and toxin resistance. This means that your body starts to recognize it as foreign and neutralize it so it cannot have its desired effect. All FDA-approved toxins are versions of onabotulinum toxin-A, but they each have slightly different proteins attached to them. As a result, if you build resistance to one brand, others might continue to work for you.
The Bottom Line
If you are not getting results from your toxin injections, we would be happy to troubleshoot the cause here at Refresh Medical. We are vigilant in our purchasing, preparation, and dosing of toxin. Come in for a free consultation with our physicians and get the results you desire!
