If you’ve noticed your anti-wrinkle treatment doesn’t seem to last as long as it once did, you’re not alone. More people are noticing that over time, results can wear off sooner or feel less effective than they used to. In fact, recent research suggests up to 81% of consumers report experiencing declining results over time.
What’s becoming clearer is that this isn’t just perception. Research shows it’s possible to develop resistance to botulinum toxin, the active ingredient in anti-wrinkle injections.
Resistance can develop gradually, which is why people often notice their results changing over time rather than all at once.
There are a few key signs that this may be happening. You might notice your results don’t last as long as they used to, or that the effects feel less noticeable over time. In some cases, higher doses may be needed to achieve the same outcome, or treatments may need to be done more frequently. For a small number of people, treatments may eventually stop working altogether.
The risk of developing resistance is thought to be lower when treatments are carefully managed using the lowest effective dose and avoiding frequent top-ups.
So where does product choice come in?
While botulinum toxin treatments are now widely used, many people don’t realise they have a choice in which product is used – and not all formulations are the same.
Research suggests resistance can develop when the body produces antibodies that attach to and deactivate botulinum toxin, preventing it from working as intended. This may help explain why some people notice their treatments becoming less effective over time.
One factor now gaining attention is formulation purity.
Many botulinum toxin products contain inactive proteins left over from the manufacturing process. In some cases, the body may recognise these proteins as foreign, triggering an immune response that can gradually reduce treatment effectiveness.
Developed over more than a decade of research, Xeomin® was the first botulinum toxin formulation designed to remove unnecessary complexing proteins, leaving only the active ingredient.
By removing these additional proteins, highly purified formulations like Xeomin® are designed to reduce the risk of triggering an unwanted immune response, supporting more consistent results with ongoing treatment.
With more than 30 million vials shipped globally over many years of use, there have been no reported cases of resistance attributed to Xeomin® in aesthetic use when Xeomin® has been used from a patient’s first treatment.
For many, it’s prompting a shift in how treatments are approached – less about quick fixes and more about maintaining consistent results over time.
Of course, outcomes are influenced by more than just the product. The experience of your healthcare professional, your treatment history, and the approach taken to dosing, placement and timing all play an important role. A qualified practitioner will work with you to create a plan that supports natural-looking results while helping to maintain effectiveness over time.
If you’ve been questioning your results, it may be worth discussing your current approach with your healthcare professional, including the role product choice may play in your long-term treatment plan.
To learn more, or to find a qualified provider, visit the Xeomin® clinic locator.
This is an advertorial sponsored by Merz Aesthetics.
References
- Based on a consumer market study conducted in 2024 on “Consumer Experience with Declining Treatment Effects”; by Merz Aesthetics in partnership with Frost & Sullivan across 9 Asia Pacific territories (Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand) and included 2,588 botulinum toxin users aged 21–55 years.
- Park JY, Sunga O, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Frevert J. Neurotoxin Impurities: A Review of Threats to Efficacy. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(1):e2627.
Xeomin ® (Incobotulinumtoxin A) 50, 100 Units is a Prescription Medicine. Indications: In adults, for the treatment of cervical dystonia; blepharospasm; spasticity of the upper limb; upper facial lines: glabellar frown lines, lateral periorbital lines (crow’s feet), horizontal forehead lines. Xeomin has both risks and benefits, consult your doctor to see if Xeomin is right for you. Further information on the risks and benefits of Xeomin can be found in the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) available from www.medsafe.govt.nz or by calling 0800 822 310. Use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health care professional. Common side effects include: Headaches; nausea; tenderness, swelling, redness, numbness or bruising of the skin; dry eye; heavy feeling of eyelid/eyebrow/forehead; face/brow not symmetrical, dropping eyelids/eyebrows. Serious side effects are rare and include allergic reactions. Xeomin is an unfunded medicine, prescription charge will apply. Normal doctor charges will still apply.
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