Tox Resistance – How To Make Your Anti Wrinkle Injections Keep Working For You

Anti-wrinkle injections are one of the best therapeutic treatments available when it comes to treating dynamic facial lines. 

Anti-wrinkle injections temporarily block certain chemical signals from nerves – mostly the signals that cause muscles to contract – and are commonly used in the forehead and around the eyes to prevent frowning. It is a fast, safe and effective method to achieve smoother, younger-looking skin.

But what happens when these treatments stop achieving the results we desire, or when our results are not as “good” as previous treatments?

While the risk is low, the answer may be resistance to the drug. This occurs in 1-3% of patients, and even if the odds aren’t high it is important to actively prevent this from happening to you.

At Body Recon, our cosmetic nurses have extensive experience in the application of anti-wrinkle injections to help our clients achieve a softer and natural-looking appearance. Here is their advice on anti-wrinkle resistance and how to avoid it.

Why does Anti-Wrinkle resistance occur?

Each time someone is injected with an anti-wrinkle drug an immune response is stimulated, and the body begins to build up antibodies to fight the proteins present. This can result in the patient effectively becoming resistant towards the drug, as the immune system knows how to recognise and deactivate these proteins. At this point, you may need double or even triple the dose to get the same effect as you did in the past.

How do I know if I am experiencing Anti-Wrinkle resistance?

There are several factors that could influence the longevity and efficacy of anti-wrinkle treatments. In the majority of cases that a treatment seems to be less effective for a patient, it is not because they have developed resistance to anti-wrinkle injections but due to one of the following:

• Not enough product was used to treat particular areas
• Seeing a new injector, who is more inclined to underdose in order to avoid overdosing (there is nothing you can do when an overdose occurs besides wait for the effects of feeling heavy, frozen or dropped to wear off)
• The natural ageing process, which continues to occur even if we cannot see our wrinkles, and results in a higher dose being required over time
• You haven’t given the product a long enough time to take full effect – you must wait the full two weeks after your injections in order to see the final end results.

Even if the odds are low, how can I avoid resistance?

There are a few ways that you can minimise your risk of resistance.

1. Make sure you are having your treatments 3-6 months apart and treating all areas together at once, as each time the toxin is injected the immune response starts again and more antibodies are built up. A small top up at your 2-week review is okay if required to correctly immobilise the muscle.
2. Have a conversation with your qualified injector to ensure they are using a minimal dose to achieve maximum results. It’s always beneficial to only use the amount of anti-wrinkle drug that you need, and no more.
3. Make sure that you always do your own research on the injector’s qualifications, and that you are going to a reputable clinic. You need to ensure that you are in the best hands!

Can Anti-Wrinkle resistance be reversed?

Yes, it can be reversed. However, it does take time to fade. You will need a 4-5 year break from having any injections.

Have more questions?

We believe in the power of knowledge at Body Recon. Our goal is to give you all the information you need in order to make an educated decision about the best treatment for you. If you’re interested in learning more, book a free injecting consultation with us here or by calling  (03)5221 1747 and we’ll give you our expert advice.