Will My Wrinkles Get Worse If I Stop Using Botox?

In a word, yes.

Botox is known for smoothing out wrinkles and creases on the face, but it doesn’t actually remove them. When the Botox injections wear off and you stop getting treatments, your forehead might look more crinkled than before. Plus, new wrinkles form as we age – so if you were to go untreated for a few years, you might find yourself with more wrinkles overall.

Botox is an injectable made from botulinum toxin Type A. It works by relaxing muscles in the face to reduce lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a smoother appearance. As of 2012, it had been approved by the FDA for use on crow’s feet, under-eye frown lines, forehead creases, and neck bands.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STOP USING BOTOX?

If you stop getting injections after several years of Botox use, your wrinkles may come back worse than they were before treatment. If you then restart the treatments, your doctor will adjust your dose accordingly to maintain the results.

New wrinkles form as we age because our skin loses elasticity and fat pads over time. As these parts of the skin shrink, the skin around them forms creases or crinkles that can become permanent even after treatment has stopped.

key takeaway

The best way to avoid getting these wrinkles is to keep your skin moisturized with a daily moisturizer and protect it from sun damage by wearing sunscreen when you’re outdoors.