Botox treatment complications
Drs. Margaritha Adams
This article covers the downsides, risks and possible complications of a Botox (botulinum toxin) treatment.
The 5 Biggest Downsides of Botox
Too little Botox is used, so the result isn’t optimal. This often happens the first time you’re treated by a doctor.
Too much Botox is used, which can reduce facial expression. This is uncommon and temporary.
A drooping eyelid can occur if the injection is placed incorrectly. Recovery usually takes only a few weeks. (Chance is less than 1%.)
Skin may become thinner after many years of frequent Botox use. This is more likely in people over 50.
You’re so happy with the results that you want to have the treatment again as soon as it wears off. This is perhaps the biggest “risk.”
What are the downsides of Botox?
Dr Margaritha Adams from Waterland Clinic answers the question: What are the downsides of Botox?
Contraindications for Botox
Qualified doctors work according to professional guidelines and always in sterile conditions. To avoid complications, they first take into account the generally accepted contraindications. People with a contraindication will not be treated.
Contraindications for a botulinum toxin treatment include:
An existing infection at the intended injection site
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
An allergy to any of the ingredients in botulinum toxin
Neuromuscular disorders that cause muscle weakness
Being under 18 years of age
Side Effects and Complications After Botox
After treatment, both side effects and complications may occur. Possible side effects include pain, swelling or bruising at the BOTOX injection site.
The most common wrinkle treatments with botulinum toxin are for frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet. The aim is to temporarily relax the small muscle that causes the wrinkle. If the wrong muscle is treated, this can sometimes result in an unnaturally raised eyebrow or a drooping eyelid. A drooping eyelid can happen if the injection was placed too low or if the botulinum toxin has migrated. In most cases, these complications resolve naturally within a few weeks.
Another possible complication from a cosmetic botulinum toxin treatment is infection. Although this is rare, it is a potential risk with any medical procedure.
Can Botox Cause Headaches?
Many people actually have Botox to help with headaches, as the treatment relaxes excessive muscle tension.
However, some people may experience a headache on the day of their Botox treatment.
See Dr Margaritha Adams from Waterland Clinic explain more in response to the question: Can Botox cause headaches?
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Contraindications for Botox
Qualified doctors follow professional guidelines and work under sterile conditions. To prevent complications, they always take into account the generally accepted contraindications. People with a contraindication will not be treated.
Contraindications for a botulinum toxin treatment include:
An existing infection at the intended injection site
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
An allergy to any of the ingredients in botulinum toxin
Neuromuscular disorders that cause muscle weakness
Being under 18 years of age
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Botox Forehead – Possible Downsides
A Botox treatment for the forehead can sometimes cause a slightly fuzzy or heavy feeling in the first few days. Some people describe having difficulty focusing or even mild headaches after their first Botox treatment. These effects usually disappear on their own.
Another downside is if too little Botox has been used. In that case, forehead lines may still be visible, which can sometimes lead to disappointment. That said, most people are very happy with the results and choose to repeat the treatment once it has worn off. These same downsides can also occur with Botox treatment for frown lines.
Allergy to Botox
Cosmetic treatments with botulinum toxin are considered very safe. Between 1989 and 2003, only 36 complications were reported to the FDA — a very small number compared with the millions of treatments performed. The majority of these cases were linked to poor technique by the practitioner rather than the product itself.
If someone does happen to be allergic to botulinum toxin (which is extremely rare at the low doses used in cosmetic treatments), possible symptoms may include:
Headache or flu-like symptoms
Dry eyes or excessive tearing
Blurred vision
Asthma-like symptoms
These reactions are almost exclusively associated with higher doses of botulinum toxin, such as those used in medical treatments. The doses used for cosmetic purposes are much lower. If any of these symptoms should occur after a treatment, it is recommended to contact your treating doctor straight away.
What Are the Risks of Botox?
The main risks of a Botox treatment are minor bruising or redness at the injection site. Allergic reactions are very rare.
Dr Margaritha Adams explains more in response to the question: What are the risks of Botox?
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Safe Botox
To make sure your treatment is carried out safely, it’s important to keep the following points in mind when choosing a practitioner:
Ensure you are treated with one of the three recognised brands: Azzalure/Dysport, Bocouture/Xeomin or Botox/Vistabel.
Choose a doctor or prescribing nurse with experience in botulinum toxin treatments at a reputable clinic.
Consider whether it’s important to you to be treated by a medically qualified aesthetics professional.
Cosmetic treatments with botulinum toxin have a very strong safety profile. And you’re certainly not alone — every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the UK have Botox wrinkle treatments. That may be one of the reasons so many people look refreshed and confident!
Compare clinics near you on Injectablesbooking.co.uk.
Read more:
Concerns in cosmetic care
Tear trough filler complications
Lip filler complications
This article is for general information only. It does not replace medical advice, a personal consultation or informed consent from your doctor.
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FAQ About the Safety of Botox
Is Botox harmful in the long term
Botox is not harmful in the long term. There are people who have been using Botox for more than 30 years. In people over 50, it is known that very frequent use over many years may lead to slightly thinner skin
What are the downsides of Botox
Too little Botox is used → results aren’t optimal.
Too much Botox is used → facial expression is reduced. This is uncommon and temporary.
A drooping eyelid → caused by an injection in the wrong spot. Recovery usually takes only a few weeks.
Skin thinning → may occur after many years of frequent use, most often in people over 50.
You’re so happy with the results that you want another treatment as soon as it wears off → this is perhaps the biggest “risk.”
Is Botox a poison?
Botox is made from botulinum, a substance produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum is a neurotoxin, but after a careful production process it is prepared in very low doses. In higher doses, botulinum toxin is used in medicine, for example to treat muscle spasms. In much lower doses, it is used in cosmetic treatments to reduce wrinkles
Can Botox reach your brain
No, there is no evidence to suggest that Botox can reach the brain
What can go wrong with Botox
The most common issues are either using too low a dosage or an incorrect injection technique. If the dosage is too low, the results may not be as effective as expected. When the injection technique isn’t quite right, the treatment may not work as well, or in rare cases, it can cause a slightly drooping eyelid. This usually resolves on its own within a few weeks and is uncommon
How long do side effects from Botox last
The injection itself can sting slightly, but this usually lasts no more than 10 seconds. The level of discomfort can vary depending on the practitioner.
A very small amount of bleeding at the injection site, usually no bigger than a pinprick. This normally disappears within about 6 hours.
Mild redness and/or swelling of the skin, which tends to fade within 24 hours.
A small bruise at the injection site, which usually clears within a few days. Any bruising can be covered with makeup.
After a first treatment in the forehead area, some people notice a slightly “heavy” or blurry feeling for the first 48 hours, which may cause a mild headache.