5 most common Botox complications

Considering a Botox treatment? It’s important to be well informed. Botox is safe and effective — but only when carried out by a qualified practitioner.

In this article, we explain which complications can occur and how you can minimise risks by making the right choices.

When is Botox safe?

Botox works by temporarily relaxing muscles, helping to smooth out wrinkles. It is a proven and safe treatment — but the quality and safety of your results depend on four key factors:

1. Your practitioner has the right qualifications – In the UK, this means being registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), or another recognised professional body.

2. Experience with your specific treatment – Choose a practitioner who regularly performs the procedure you are considering.

3. Use of high-quality products – Only well-established, approved brands should be used.

4. Careful execution of the treatment – A precise and professional approach ensures natural results and minimises risks.

The 5 most common complications

1. Drooping eyelids

What does it look like?Your eyelids droop, or your eyebrows sit lower than normal.

Why does this happen?

• If Botox is injected too high → the forehead muscle relaxes too much.

• If Botox is injected too low → the muscle that lifts the eyelids becomes weakened.

2. Problems around the mouth

What might you notice?

• Occasional dribbling

• Difficulty drinking through a straw

• Trouble closing your mouth fully

When does this occur? It can happen after treating fine lines around the lips, as the muscles in this area may temporarily become weaker.

3. The “Spock effect”

What is this? The eyebrows appear unnaturally raised, especially at the outer corners.

Why does this happen? Botox has not been evenly distributed across the forehead, so some muscles remain stronger than others.

4. Crooked smile

When does this happen? During treatment for teeth grinding (bruxism), when the jaw muscles are injected.

The issue:If the injection is not placed precisely, the muscle that lifts the corner of the mouth may also be affected — causing a temporary uneven smile.

5. Drooping upper lip

Which treatment? Correction of a “gummy smile” (where too much gum shows when you smile).

What can go wrong?If the dosage is not correct, the upper lip may droop instead, making it harder to smile comfortably.

Other possible side effects

In addition to the complications mentioned above, some milder side effects may occur:

• Bruising – Small bruises can appear at the injection site but usually fade within a few days.

• New fine lines – Because certain muscles are relaxed, other muscles may become more active. This can sometimes lead to new lines appearing in different areas.

• Headache – Some people experience a temporary headache due to muscle tension after treatment.

• Tingling – Rare, but possible. This can be caused by slight irritation of a nerve.

How to recognise a good practitioner

Here’s what you should check:

• Registration – Is your practitioner officially registered as a healthcare professional with the General Medical Council (GMC), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), or another recognised UK body?

• Experience – How many Botox treatments does this person perform each year? Ask about their specific experience with the treatment you want.

• Transparency – A good practitioner will explain honestly what could go wrong, as well as the costs involved.

• Reviews – Read feedback from other patients. Pay special attention to stories about complications and how the clinic handled them.

Key questions to ask:

• “How many of these treatments do you perform each year?”

• “What are the specific risks in my case?”

• “What happens if something goes wrong?”

• “Can I see before-and-after photos of similar treatments?”

Find the right practitioner near you

On Injectablesbooking.co.uk you can easily compare:

• 1,200+ clinics with qualified, GMC/NMC-registered professionals

• Genuine reviews from real patients

• Transparent prices and treatment options

Next step: Book a no-obligation consultation to discuss your options. A good practitioner will always take the time for a thorough consultation and give honest advice — even if a treatment may not be suitable for you.