“What are the side effects of Botox?”

This is a great question. Botox is one of the most used beauty products out there. It is generally very safe and has very few side effects. However, patients can experience certain side effects. Some of the side effects include headaches, bruising and discomfort at the site of the injection. Most of these side effects resolve in a few days to a few weeks. If you have an allergic reaction to Botox you may have more extensive side effects. However allergic reaction to Botox is relatively rare.

Botox is extremely safe when purchased from reliable sources and properly used. True reactions or allergies to it are extremely uncommon. The two most common adverse reactions are not satisfactorily accomplishing the goal of quieting the muscles that are injected and migration of the Botox to other muscles nearby. The first can occur because of mishandling Botox, which is a very delicate material and can be inactivated by jarring or excessive stirring. The second can result in things like a droopy eyelid. Fortunately, all Botox side effects are temporary because Botox is temporary. There is no antidote so all you can do is wait it out. Brusing from the injection can occur but is uncommon. I have not seen any other issues from Botox in over 15 years.

Side effects can be a headache if injected close to a cutaneous never but doesn't last long. If migrates blow brow there can be slight drooping of the upper eyelid. Usually, such a small amount migrated that it lasts only for several days. Some differences in symmetry can occur and many times corrected by additional botox where it was not as effective. The maximum effect of the botox is about four days but much is noticeable immediately after injection. The major complications such as wider effects causing paralysis is basically nonexistent if standard Botox its other major product is used and not mixed or concocted by the physician. Major problems as this were reported and Botox Cosmetic was very rapid in notifying the public that it was not their product and an overdose was given by improperly mixed. I have had great long term permanent results with several treatments over a year an a half at 3 to 4 months apart. This causes the muscles to be permanently longer and weaker as the repeated use for several treatments results is muscle wasting and atrophy. After that period patients come for maintenance if needed or not any longer. I was the first plastic surgeon in this area to us botox when it was first FDA approved for cosmetic use. At that time only plastic surgeons used it but now it is by almost any doctor nurse or nurse practitioner and unfortunately are not as knowledgeable about facial anatomy and I have seen many unhappy patients treated in different places. They now only trust me and will not go any place else.

Botox is used in many ways not just in cosmetics. So the side effects can vary depending on what the Botox is used for.

Some common side effects of Botox are temporary bruising, temporary pain at injection sites, and temporary minor swelling. Uncommon side effects can be infection, allergic reaction, headaches, sinus infections, unwanted weakness in facial muscles that were overly treated, a heavy brow, a heavy eyelid (ptosis), and double vision (if intra-ocular muscles are inadvertently injected). Please seek out an experienced injector to assure best results.

Droopy eyelid if given too low near the upper eyelid

Very rare allergic reaction, which having injected thousands of patients, I have never seen

Hello!

The intended effects of Botox include a weakening of the treated facial muscles which leads to decreased visibility of expression lines. Other side effects of Botox may include a slight "heaviness" feeling and/or headache for the first few days as the Botox is setting in, redness at the injection site for up to 30 minutes after injection, and slight soreness at the injection site.