Botulinum toxin, which was used for facial treatments, is now also being used on large muscles such as the trapezius and calves. Since larger muscles require treatment with high doses, some products that are known to have a lower likelihood of resistance have faced a shortage. However, experts have warned against blindly trusting that these products have a low risk of resistance because medical research on the resistance of botulinum toxin is still insufficient.
According to the medical and pharmaceutical sectors on the 24th, there are cases where some dermatology clinics are unable to obtain botulinum toxin "ZeoMin." ZeoMin is produced by the German pharmaceutical company Merz. Merz Aesthetics Korea, the Korean subsidiary, noted that "as domestic demand for ZeoMin has increased, the supply has become insufficient" and added, "We will strive to increase supply to resolve supply issues."
Botulinum toxin is a protein extracted from the food poisoning bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which causes muscle paralysis, reduces muscle size, and smooths out wrinkles. It is well-known under the brand name "Botox" from the American company AbbVie. Recently, botulinum toxin is used not only on the face but also on the trapezius and calves in South Korea, reducing large muscles to enhance body shape.
The problem is that the amount of botulinum toxin used on large muscles is significant, increasing the likelihood of developing resistance. It is said that 2 to 4 times the dose used for facial wrinkles is applied to the trapezius and calves. Doctors have noted that there are increasing reports of reduced effectiveness due to resistance, as it is used periodically on large muscles.
The industry believes that concerns over resistance have led to an increase in demand for ZeoMin. Merz explained that ZeoMin reduces complex proteins to enhance the purity of botulinum toxin, lowering the possibility of resistance. Complex proteins help maintain the structure of neurotoxins.
However, medically, it is still unclear why botulinum toxin induces resistance and how much needs to be administered for resistance to occur. There are cases where resistance does not develop even after receiving high doses of botulinum toxin, or where highly pure products have no effect. While the frequency of resistance varies greatly among individuals, the reasons have not yet been identified.
A dermatologist stated, "There is currently no clear medical evidence that a high-purity 'pure' toxin is guaranteed to be effective or safe," and advised, "It is advisable to choose and use products based on the purpose, frequency, and cost of botulinum toxin use."