Many people have botox injections to smooth out or prevent wrinkles and experience no side effects whatsoever. However, there are some side effects to Botox injections that can happen for various reasons.
One of the more common side-effects is a drooping eyelid – called ptosis – when injections are placed close to the eye perimeter. While this can be treated with another medication it is better if it doesn’t happen at all.
There are things you can do to prevent side effects such as these from occurring.
- Always make sure the injections are done by a fully trained plastic surgeon who understands the facial muscles and their interaction with each other and who is experienced in doing Botox treatment.
- To prevent ptosis, make sure the injection site is at least 2cm outside the orbital rim.
- Do not rub or massage any injection site as this can move the serum to other parts of the face.
- Do not indulge in hard physical exercise for 12-24 hours after the injections.
- Always tell your physician if you are on any other medications or have any other medical condition, including inflammatory skin conditions.
- Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or lactating.
- The first time you have Botox treatment, have the doctor use a smaller dose to make sure there are no ill effects and see how your body reacts to it.
Other less common side effects may be: –
- Pain or swelling where the Botox was injected
- Headache or symptoms resembling flu
- Excessive tearing or dryness of the eyes
- A crooked smile or drooling
- Uneven eyebrows.
Many such symptoms go off after a certain time-frame. Choosing an experienced and certified cosmetic surgeon to treat you will mitigate the risks. Having Botox is a medical procedure that should only be done by fully qualified professionals.
If you experience symptoms such as vision problems, muscle weakness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, trouble breathing or loss of bladder control, you should contact your doctor immediately. These are rarely a problem in cosmetic patients, but it is good to be aware that they exist. But just like the many side-effects that are possible with other common medications, they rarely happen.
Much of the hype surrounding side effects of Botox is not referring to cosmetic injections, but treatment given to adults and children for neuromuscular and other diseases. These people are injected with far larger doses of the serum than cosmetic patients are ever given. Naturally enough, this can sometimes have side effects that are never seen in the cosmetic field.
You should always be guided by your doctor to avoid the side effects and enjoy the benefits of Botox treatment – a smooth, wrinkle free complexion.
