Mounjaro and Botox: Can you really do both safely?

Using Mounjaro for weight loss and thinking of trying cosmetic Botox?

You’re not the only one. As you lose weight on Mounjaro, wrinkles can become more pronounced, and you might consider Botox to reduce their appearance. However, you may also wonder if combining the two is a potentially risky move.

The good news is that the two are unlikely to interact, but Mounjaro-induced weight loss could affect how Botox looks. Here’s the lowdown.

Can you get Botox while taking Mounjaro?

You certainly can. In fact, there are currently no known interactions between Mounjaro and Botox [1][2]. Plus, if you’re already using Botox, you can rest easy knowing it won’t impact the efficacy of Mounjaro and your ability to lose weight.

What experts say about using both treatments together

Experts generally agree that major interactions are unlikely, although there’s not a whole lot of research on taking the two together. Doctors typically rely on their own knowledge when they’re prescribing either one or giving advice.

Like any medication, you’re best to consult your doctor before starting to use either one. Even if they won’t necessarily interact with each other, both Mounjaro and Botox can mix poorly with other medications you might be taking.

Potential risks or side effects to be aware of

It’s worth noting that even if the two are safe and generally don’t interact, both come with their own side effects. 

Mounjaro can commonly cause unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, headache and dizziness. These are often temporary and subside after your body adjusts to the medication, but they can be pretty tough for some patients and sometimes require medical attention.

Botox side effects can include pain, redness, swelling or bruising around the injection site. Although these effects are usually fairly mild and temporary, often resolving in just a few days. In some cases, Botox can cause flu-like symptoms such as fatigue and headache, which we know are also potential side effects of Mounjaro.

It’s important to be aware of these, because if you’re taking the two together, you might find that your symptoms are compounded, making treatment much more challenging.

How do Botox and GLP-1s like Mounjaro actually work?

Botox is a muscle relaxant that blocks nerve signals to certain muscles, most commonly the ones in the face that cause wrinkles. These muscles then relax, and wrinkles become less obvious. 

Mounjaro is quite different. It functions by mimicking the GIP and GLP-1 hormones for appetite regulation and blood sugar control. Most of its work takes place in your digestive system (to slow down gastric emptying) and pancreas (to stimulate insulin production). This means there’s very little crossover with Botox, if any.

All of this being said, some patients using both do find that taking Mounjaro affects the efficacy of their Botox injections – we’ll look at that in more detail below.

Will Mounjaro stop Botox from working?

At present, there’s no evidence that Mounjaro will stop Botox from working – but that’s not to say patients taking both haven’t noticed a shift.

Some patients report that once they start taking Mounjaro, their Botox injections take longer to kick in. Where previously Botox might’ve started working almost immediately, it’s now taking several days or even weeks to take effect.

Others say they need more Botox for effective wrinkle reduction, while others require less. This is because weight loss from GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro leads to less facial fat, making Botox more pronounced.

Others still say their Botox injections don’t last as long, often wearing off within a few months. The theory is that their body gets rid of Botox faster because of the metabolic effects of the medication, although this isn't proven. Instead, it's possible that faster fading is due to weight loss rather than the medication itself.

Depending on how your body reacts, you may require higher or lower doses, or more frequent injections, to keep Botox results consistent. 

Why Botox might feel or look different on Mounjaro

Another thing to be aware of is that even if Botox is still effective, it might appear differently on your face. 

Losing weight across your body often includes losing it around your face, particularly the cheeks, temples and under the eyes. This weight loss can impact your facial volume. 

With less fat on your face, your muscles might appear more obvious, your cheekbones sharper, and your face slightly more gaunt. This can either make Botox appear more pronounced or lead you to think your Botox injection isn’t working. Instead, though, the altered look is simply because your face doesn’t have as much cushioning as it used to.

Many aesthetic practitioners work around this by using additional treatments like dermal fillers. These go just under your skin to plump it up and make it appear more youthful. They can be helpful if you’ve lost weight on your face because they can restore volume.

There are also no known interactions between Mounjaro and dermal fillers, but if you’ve used fillers in the past, once again, you may notice a slight variation in how they look. After losing weight, fillers might be slightly more prominent, or you may require touch-ups sooner than usual.

Consult your injector about your options, and they can usually tweak your treatment plan to suit.

Tips if you’re on Mounjaro and considering cosmetic injectables

Keep these tips up your sleeve to ensure your skin treatments are as comfortable as possible.

Tell your GP

If you’re using Mounjaro for weight loss and still considering a cosmetic injectable like Botox or dermal fillers, your first port of call should be your GP. They can assess your health history and outline any potential concerns to be aware of.

And your injector

You should also let your aesthetic practitioner know you’re using Mounjaro, because it may impact your treatment plan. They may suggest more regular doses to account for changes in facial structure or a combination of Botox and dermal fillers to preserve your face’s fullness.

Book your Botox at the right time

You may be best off avoiding Botox when you first start taking Mounjaro or when you’ve just increased your dose. These are the periods when side effects are most noticeable, often lasting for a few weeks. The last thing you’d want when you’re feeling nauseous or dizzy is to have a painful injection that leads to additional discomfort.

Instead, try to book your Botox injections once the side effects have subsided and you’re feeling more like yourself.

Know which questions to ask your practitioner

If you need a bit of reassurance from your aesthetic practitioner, ask them these important questions:

• Do you have experience treating Mounjaro patients? This helps you gauge their understanding of dealing with facial changes due to weight loss
• Will I need to change my doses and/or schedule? Depending on how your face changes while taking Mounjaro, they might suggest higher or lower doses of Botox or more regular injections
• Do you recommend any complementary treatments? They may suggest different types of dermal fillers to restore volume in your face
• Will you track my face over time? Your practitioner may monitor your face using photos, measurements and mapping tools to see how your face changes as you lose weight, and adjust your treatment plan to suit

Manage side effects

There are things you can do to minimise the impact of side effects from both treatments. Doing so will make tolerating each one much easier.

With Mounjaro, you can try strategies like smaller and more frequent meals; drinking plenty of water; using nausea treatments like peppermint tea, ginger and anti-sickness medications; and getting plenty of rest.

For Botox, you can apply a cold compress or ice pack to the injection site, avoid touching or sleeping on areas experiencing discomfort, take non-prescription pain relievers and drink lots of water to boost skin recovery.

Keep your expectations in check

Remember that Botox injections may look different when you’re using Mounjaro, and that’s totally normal. It’s not a sign that they’re not working, but a strong indication that you’re losing weight.

Keeping this top of mind will help you adjust your expectations and help you come back to your original goal: losing weight.

The bottom line: Can Mounjaro and Botox coexist?

They sure can. There’s no reason to avoid one or the other – it may just require a slightly adjusted approach. You might need larger concentrations of Botox or more regular injections to account for losing weight in your face, or perhaps a complementary treatment like dermal fillers will help maintain volume. But it’s very common to use both and still achieve good results. 

If you’re ever unsure, reach out to your GP for advice or your aesthetic practitioner for guidance on adjusting your cosmetic injection plan.

Lose weight with Juniper

The Juniper Programme combines weight loss medication with dietitian-led health coaching and tracking, so you can lose weight and reach your goals for good.

Kickstart your weight loss journey with Wegovy or Mounjaro, two groundbreaking weight loss medications that mimic the GLP-1 and GIP hormones, respectively, to help control cravings, delay stomach emptying, and keep you feeling fuller for longer. These clinically backed treatments help members experience up to 20% body weight loss.

Plus, we have a team of expert dietitians and health coaches you can consult with to help you work through any challenges you're experiencing during your weight management journey. This approach sets you up for sustained weight loss, rather than a quick-fix solution.

This means you can continue to enjoy the things you love in moderation without ever feeling deprived.

Ready to see if Juniper is right for you? You can check your eligibility here.

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