Can a person become immune to Botox? To answer this question, it is important to understand that Botox resistance (immunity) occurs in some patients, although the numbers are low. According to experts, only 1-3% of patients who receive injections will develop toxin-blocking antibodies. In general, patients who receive Botox will not develop any type of resistance to it. This is because Botox is a form of toxin produced by bacteria, and the body can sometimes develop an immune response to the injections. However, this only happens in approximately 1 in 10,000 cases.
The exact cause is unknown, but it seems that our immune system forms antibodies against Botox. A more common occurrence is that some people develop tolerance to Botox after repeated use and tend to need higher doses over time. According to New York dermatologist Doris Day, because of the way neurotoxins are processed, the more you are exposed to them, the more likely you are to develop resistance. The way to minimize the problem is to make sure that treatments are spaced out every three or four months. The only product on the market that would not cause resistance is Xeomin.
Xeomin is formulated with proteins that bind, but it is the only pure form of the drug without any other element that could create an antibody response. According to Dr. Lee, patients can be completely resistant to neurotoxins. If you're still not getting results from your Botox treatments, you may be one of those rare people who are “immune to Botox”. There are also studies that look at how age and frequency of treatment can affect a person's ability to develop resistance to Botox.
However, recent long-term studies have indicated that immunogenicity is less of a problem even with such treatment. In conclusion, while it is possible for a person to become immune to Botox, it is very rare and only occurs in approximately 1 in 10,000 cases. The best way to minimize the risk of developing resistance is to make sure treatments are spaced out every three or four months. If you're still not getting results from your Botox treatments, you may be one of those rare people who are “immune”.
