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Will I Always Get a Droopy Eyelid when I Get Botox? Does It Continue?

asked 6 months ago by Jennifer77 in Atwater, CA
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 374 times
Tags: forehead, 3 weeks post-op, droopy eye, reoccur

I would like to know if I will get a droopy eyelid again if I try Botox for a second time. I got my first Botox treatment on October 20 and by November 1 I had a droopy eyelid. I would like to try Botox again even though I do not like the way my eye looks. I do like the way my forehead turned out. I received 32 units for my first time on my forehead and between my eyebrows. I did not have my entire forehead done.

15 answers to Will I Always Get a Droopy Eyelid when I Get Botox? Does It Continue?

Botox and a droopy eyelid?

Hi Jennifer. You will likely only get a droopy eyelid if you go back to the same physician. A droopy eyelid is a potential side effect of the treatment (it's happened twice in the last ten years at our practice) and should be very rare for experienced injectors. We would recommend searching for another injector to avoid it.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Once a droopy lid not always a droopy lid with Botox

The forehead muscle is a strong lifter of the eyebrow / upper eyelid complex. If the forehead is relaxed by botox, then the aged forehead which has started to droop, won't be able to be kept up in position by the tone of the forehead. Fortunately the treatment of the glabella in the forehead between the eyebrows, minimizes the strong depressor muscle function and this helps lift the forehead to compensate when treating the upper forehead wrinkles. The same physician treating... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Droopy Upper eyelis after Botox

You experienced a droopy eyelid after Botox injections because the material got into a small muscle of the upper lid; but don't worry, this is temporary. This may last another 9-12 weeks, but recovery may be accelerated by using Iopidine drops in the eye on the affected side. Because this is very rare, I recommend you continue with Botox injections in the future.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Droopy eyelid after Botox

It is likely that Botox injections to the forehead, rather than between the eyebrows, caused the droopy eyelid. This problem is likely to improve in the next 3-4 weeks. I would bring this minor complication to the attention to whomever treats you with Botox in the future so that the number of units to the forehead can be reduced to decrease the risk of a droopy eyelid.

Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

Droopy eyelids can occur after Botox

If both eyelids were effected then it is possible that you have too much "extra" skin over your eyes and you may not be a candidate for Botox in your forehead. It is also possible that next time if Botox is injected higher in your forehead you can avoid this complication. Without seeing a photo of you, it is difficult to know. The effects of Botox will go away in a few months and you can get a consultation with an experienced injector to determine if you are a... more

Michele S. Green, MD
New York Dermatologist

Beginner's Luck?

Wow, what a disappointment for your first treatment! This complication happens, but very rarely and often in women with thin skin and very little fat. Sometimes diminishing the dose and being sure to inject into the muscle helps to avoid this complication. Make sure that if you do try a new injector that you mention this complication. In our practice, we will provide a complimentary treatment to the patient as a way of saying "we want an opportunity to gain back your trust!"... more

Kirk A. Churukian, MD
Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon

Droopy brow?

If botox is injected too low on the forehead, then a droopy eyebrow can occur. If the eyelid is low, then it was injected too low and will take a few months to get better.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Will I Always Get a Droopy Eyelid when I Get Botox? Does It Continue?

I have used neurotoxins like Botox, Dysport and the newer Xeomin for over 2 decades to reduce unwanted lines and wrinkles of the face. IMHO, the droopy eyelid is from having the Botox, injected in the forehead, too close to the eyebrows. In order to prevent the eyebrows from drooping (which makes the upper eyekids droop), I stay 1 to 1 1/2 fingerwidths above the eyebrows when injecting any of the toxins in the forehead. The effects of any, of the neurotoxins, peak at... more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

No, you will not always get a droopy eyelid

It's not you that is prone to having a droopy eyelid; this effect is from the injection placement. There are Rx eyedrops that will help raise your eyelid so that you can resolve it faster than just waiting for the Botox to wear off (which will usually take 3-4 months). That being said, I would suggest a different injector next time, and for you to describe to him/her what you experienced this time so that they may alter the placement of your injections a bit.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD
Las Vegas Dermatologist

www.lakesdermatology.com

Droopy Eyelids after Botox

Without pictures, it is impossible to give you specific advice. There are two reasons for your eyes looking droopy. First, your eyelid itself could be ptotic (droopy) or your eyebrow could be ptotic which makes the skin of your eyelid look droopy. Either way, if it is due to the Botox, it will be temporary. Next time you have Botox, make sure you tell your injector what you experienced and they will be more conservative with the Botox around your eyes. It... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Will droopy eyelid recur after Botox injection

The droopy eyelid after Botox is because the Botox migrated into the levator muscle of the upper eyelid. This is the muscle that lifts up the eyelid. This happens because the Botox is injected near the middle of the brow which has no positive effect and is not necessary. I suggest you go to a doctor who has never had a patient with a droopy eyelid. If injected properly, this will not happen again.

Kenneth L. Stein, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Where your doctor places the botox is the key

Developing a droopy eyelid after botox is largely due to incorrect placement of the injections by your doctor. There are certain anatomical landmarks that should guide your doctor when injecting botox, and you're unlikely to get a droopy lid if botox is injected appropriately. It is not unusual for patients to receive 30 or even up to 50 units to treat the entire forehead, including the glabellar area. Even when a doctor adheres to all the "rules" of injecting... more

Naomi Donnelley, MD
Santa Barbara Dermatologist

You may have ptosis

The use of the Botox in the forehead will cause lowering of the eyebrow and in patients with mild ptosis it can be come noticeable. You may avoid the forehead . Picture would have ben helpful.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

It is not you, it's your doctor.

The number of units is fine. It is entirely how the product was placed which is the issue. Ask your doctor for a prescription for apraclonidine ophthalmic drops which will help open the eyelids. Consider looking for a new injecting physician who is not so heavy handed with treatment.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Droopy Eyelids After Botox

Dear Jennifer77, Temporary drooping of the upper eyelids is a potential complication of Botox injections, occurring in 1-5% of treatments. If drooping occurs, it may be treated with prescription eyedrops that can help alleviate the drooping. With or without treatment, the drooping is temporary and should resolve over several weeks to a few months as the Botox wears off. Botox is a simple and elegant treatment that is highly effective and generally safe. Having said that, no... more