Is Your GLP-1 Affecting the Longevity of Your Tox?

Written by Samantha Hoffnagle, Nurse Practitioner & Injector

Across the aesthetics community, providers have started noticing an interesting trend: for some patients, neurotoxin (“tox”) results seem to be wearing off a bit sooner than expected. With more people than ever taking GLP-1 medications, it’s only natural to wonder…could there be a connection?

There are several factors that influence how long your tox lasts, but historically, dosage has been the biggest one. If you’ve been in our chair before, you’ve probably heard us say it: dose equals duration. When the dose isn’t quite enough, results may fade sooner and over time, consistent underdosing may even increase the risk of developing tox resistance. That’s why using an appropriate, individualized dose is such an important part of your treatment plan!

When longevity isn’t where we want it to be, our first step is often to adjust the dose, and sometimes that adjustment needs to be more significant than expected. But what happens when the dose has already been optimized and results still aren’t lasting the way they used to? That’s where we start looking at other contributing factors.

After reviewing the available research, there currently aren’t any large-scale clinical studies in live patients that confirm a direct link between GLP-1 medications and decreased tox longevity. That said, a virtual study using simulated patients did suggest a strong enough probability that further research in real patients is warranted. With so many providers observing this trend firsthand, it’s very likely we’ll see more concrete data emerge in the near future, which we’ll be sure to keep you updated on.

So what’s the theory behind it?

Without getting too deep into anatomy and physiology (some may say that’s booooooring), here’s the simplified version. Both tox and GLP-1 medications interact with the same type of receptor in the body, but they do so in opposite ways. Tox works by temporarily blocking signals from this receptor, allowing the targeted muscles to relax and softening the appearance of wrinkles. Over time, as the receptor regenerates, movement gradually returns, signaling that it may be time for your next treatment.

GLP-1 medications, on the other hand, may encourage these receptors to regenerate more quickly. The theory is that if the receptors “come back online” sooner, the window of muscle relaxation is shorter, meaning tox results may not last as long.

Research in this area is ongoing, and we’ll continue keeping a close eye on new studies as they’re released. If you’re taking a GLP-1 medication and notice your tox wearing off faster than usual, we always recommend chatting with your injector. Together, we can track changes, adjust your plan, and rule out other factors that may be playing a role!

If Your Tox Is Wearing Off Quickly, Here Are a Few Things to Consider

Dosage still matters most. Remember, dose equals duration, and some patients simply require a higher dose to achieve longer-lasting results. Treatment consistency also plays a role. Sticking to your recommended schedule can help “train” the muscle over time, which may improve longevity with continued treatments.

Lifestyle factors can also have a bigger impact than you might think. Increased exercise and metabolism, sun exposure, smoking, alcohol use, and chronic stress can all affect skin health and how long results last. This is where medical-grade skincare really shines. Products backed by research and formulated with active ingredients, like daily SPF, vitamin C, and retinol, help protect, repair, and strengthen the skin, supporting your in-office treatments.

There are a few additional factors to keep in mind as well, including hormonal changes such as postpartum or breastfeeding shifts, certain medications, frequent facials or facial massage tools used before tox has fully settled, and even zinc levels, which some studies suggest may help improve tox longevity. And of course, GLP-1 medications may also be part of the overall picture.

At Sweet Tox, your goals are always our goals. Every face, body, and lifestyle is different and your treatment plan should reflect that. If something feels off, we’re here to talk it through, tweak where needed, and make sure you’re getting the best possible results ✨