Botox: Q&A
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How can I avoid Botox Side Effects?
I read that Botox has some side effects like droopy eyelids. Is Botox safe? Any tips for making sure my Botox (first time!) has no bad side effects?
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64 Doctor Answers |
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anon
+8
Side effects result if Botox is not done properly
Botox injections can cause side effects if not done properly. A good plastic surgeon will start with a lower dose and adjust the dosage to get the desired results. The skill part of injecting Botox is understanding the anatomy of the facials muscle, especially around the eye. It is also critical to inject the right amount of Botox in the right places to avoid side effects. If too much Botox was injected above your eyebrows or if some Botox migrates into the levator palpebrae muscle that...
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+5
Botox is safe as ever
The recent stir about the safety of Botox has nothing to do with the cosmetic use of the anti-wrinkle miracle drug. It is still as safe as ever to have a few of your wrinkles erased by Botox. We have used Botox over the past 30 years without any of these recent adverse effect reports.
The FDA is reviewing botulinium-based drugs used to treat cerebral palsy and other ills. There have been reported cases of breathing and swallowing problems in pediatric cerebral palsy patients, and even a...
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+3
Avoid droopy eyelids
While there is no full proof technique to avoid botox side effects, going to an experienced doctor who performs the procedure on a regular basis is a good start. In addition , if you don't ask the doctor to 'over treat', or inject wrinkles that are too close to the eyebrow, this should lower the risk of an eyebrow droop. Good Luck!
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+3
Botox Side Effects and Complications
I agree with posters that the experience of the injector is critical to achieving good results in a consistent fashion, avoiding potential pitfalls. Several things I encourage my patients to avoid after Botox: 1) avoid rubbing the treated area for 24 hours, 2) avoid facials, facial massage, Microdermabrasion for 24 hours after the procedure, 3) avoid aspirin, fish oil, excess vitamin e for 1 week before and 24 hours after the procedure. From a technical perspective, use of Botox...
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+2
Botox Side Effects
The most import decision regarding Botox is to go to a physician or injector with a long vast experience. The quality of your result and possible side effects are a direct result of the technique used: the dilution of saline to botox, direction of injection, and the anatomical areas injected. Drooping of the eyelid (ptosis of the eyelid) occurs infrequently. The cosmetic literature reports an incidence of around 1-2%. In our experience this is reduced even...
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+2
Botox results often depend who is on the other side of the needle
Sure, bruising, drooping and any side effect can happen to anyone. If a doctor has not had dropping with Botox then he/she has not done enough Botox. The key is to find someone with a great understanding of facial anatomy and extensive experiece with Botox.
As a facial plastic surgeon and a platinum provider of Botox I still get some of these things. The good thing is that they are very uncommon and usually very mild. So experience, background and training do matter.
+2
Botox has excellent safety profile. Experienced injectors mean less bad outcomes
Botox has an excellent safety record in terms of medical complications. The effect however, is designed to work in some areas and not others. Therefore, it's the experience and training of the injector that really leads to optimal results in terms of patient satisfaction. The number one concern seems to be eyelid drooping. In our practice, we boast ASOPRS-certification. This is the society of oculofacial plastic surgeons, that is surgeons who are double-trained in eye surgery and facial...
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+2
Experience and training is key to avoid Botox side effects
Botox has a better safety record than aspirin so it is very safe.
To avoid the potential side effect of droopy eyelids make sure your practitioner is well trained and experienced in the use of Botox. He/she should have performed hundreds (preferably thousands) of injections. Ask what training your practitioner has undergone and how often he/she updates their training with Allergan sponsored seminars.
+2
There are a lot of ways to make Botox safe and avoid complications
Botox can be done in a safe way to avoid problems. First off, diluting the botox with less solution can go a long way. I typically use only 2cc of botox where some other physicians use up to 4 cc of saline. When you use more saline, you end up needing more volume for the same number of units. What this means is that the more volume you use the more the botox will be spread out. When the botox is spread out, it can affect other muscles around the area and cause unwanted effects.
In your...
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+1
Botox safety
Hi,
Just make sure that you go to a skilled Botox injector and you should be fine. Since you are new to this product, you should be careful with the first injection amounts. You will probably need 3-4 days to see the effects but most everyone enjoys the effect of Botox.
Check out your plastic surgeon carefully.
+1
Botox Side Effects
Droopy eyelids from Botox are caused by injector error, not from the product being unsafe to use. Botox is extremely safe and should not have any side effects when used correctly. Ideally seek out a board certified plastic surgeon and inquire about how many years he/she has used Botox and how many patients he/she has treated.
+1
Botox side effects
Every cosmetic procedure has side effects which can be mitigated by making sure the person injecting your Botox is well versed in what Botox is all about, and skilled in injecting it. There are many people injecting Botox with a variety of skills sets. If one gets an adverse reaction such as droopy eyelids, there are drops which can help. And remember, it is not permanent. But make sure the injector knows what they are doing.
+1
Pick the Right Injector to Minimize Side Effects
It amazes me that many will take more time to research the right hair dresser but when it comes to a procedure for their face they shop price only!
While groupon and living social may be great for restaurants when it comes to discounts....DON"T DISCOUNT YOUR FACE!
Make sure:
your doctor is Board Certified
is available to you for questions and potential side effects
has before / after pictures that you find appealing
it may cost you more than the cost of...
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+1
Botox Best Results
Botox, like any other medication, can cause side effects. Though it seems very simple, there is both art and science to Botox treatments. A well-trained provider will start with conservative doses for your first treatment, see how you react, and then consider adding more later or increasing the doses at your second session. In terms of droopy eyelids or a sagging eyebrow, this results from placement of a Botox injection that is either too much for the muscle mass in the lateral forehead, or...
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+1
Side effects of Botox
As with any medication, Botox also has it’s potential side effects, and yes, it is safe, and unfortunately, there are no guarantees. There are specific sites to inject to avoid drooping eyelids etc. I have never had a patient have any complication from Botox injections but this is always a possibility.
Jonathan Ross Berman, M.D. , F.A.C.S.
+1
Botox is extremely safe and effective
Botox is very safe. My best advice to you is to go to a board certified dermatologist who has alot of experience injecting Botox. Droopy eyelids can be from too much Botox or Botox injected into the lower forehead. I always tell my patients to refrain from bending forward or exercising the day of the procedure to minimize side effects. Also stop aspirin or any product that can cause bruising for a week before your injections. We have a complete list in our office...
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+1
AVOIDING BOTOX SIDE EFFECTS
BOTOX injections are the number 1 non surgical cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. BOTOX side effects are best avoided when a highly experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist administers it. The outcome is dependent on the proper number of Botox units injected precisely into the superficial facial muscles with a tiny needle and the pattern of injections into these muscles. Knowledge of the facial anatomy and experience of the physician will consistently lead...
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+1
How can I avoid Botox Side Effects?
First, go to someone that is trained and has experience in the injection of Botox. With proper technique most side effects are avoided.
+1
Botox side effects are extremely rare
Botox side effects are extremely rare when properly injected. Botox will inhibit any muscle it comes in contact with, so having it injected by someone with a clear understanding of facial anatomy is key. At the small doses used for facial cosmetic purposes, Botox is very safe. The key to a good first experience is seeing an experienced physician injector.
+1
Botox Side Effects
Botox Cosmetic is extremely safe, with few side effects, and virtually no downtime after your treatment. Normal side effects that you could experience include bruising, minor pain, or swelling at the injection site. Rarely, Botox may migrate to an unintended area, but to avoid this - do not rub or massage the treated area. Droopy eyelids are a rare result of the Botox Cosmetic migrating to a different muscle group, the one that controls the upper eyelid. This can...
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+1
Botox Safety
Botox is pretty safe. Having said that, if injected by someone that is inexperienced, poor results can occur. The droopy eyelid you are referring to is known as ptosis. This can occur for multiple reasons. To avoid ptosis, ensure that your injector stays at least 2cm outside of the orbital rim when injecting. Also, ensure that you do not massage the injected areas around your eyes. Similarly, take it easy after being treated with Botox. I tell my patients to avoid exercise the evening...
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+1
Botox Side Effects
Botox is considered to be generally safe and has received FDA approval as a result. Like any other form of medical treatment, there are associated side effects Botox, such as droopy eyelids. In order to help ensure that your first experience with Botox is a successful one, it is essential that you choose an experienced board certified specialist who can properly evaluate you for complications and side effects. For example, Botox is contraindicated in individuals with neurological conditions....
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+1
Botox is safe
Botox is very safe with minimal side effects. Botox only lasts 3 months, so if you did get a droopy eyelid it would subside when the Botox wears off. An experienced Botox injector would be able to adjust the dosage and technique to prevent a droopy eyelid from occuring again. Make sure you have a board certified physician perform or supervise your Botox injections.
+1
You can reduce your risk of a bad Botox injection
The most important thing to do to reduce your risk of a bad Botox injection is to select and experienced injector. Bruising is a risk with any injection, so avoid taking anything that can thin your blood for at least 10 days before your treatment such as aspirin. To reduce your risk of a droopy eyelid with a brow injection, do not rub the area that was injected and avoid strenuous activity for several hours after your treatment. The good news is, if you don't like your...
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+1
Botox side effects
The most common side effects of Botox include mild discomfort at the site(s) of injection, temporary redness at the injection site and possible bruising. Rarely, patients may experience a headache. The incidence of an eyelid droop is very rare occurring in about 1% of patients. It is temporary and usually resolves in a few weeks.
+1
Botox safety 101
The likelihood of eyelid ptosis, or drooping of the eye lids is not as common particularly if you have the proper administrator, meaning a board certified dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon. Botox has been FDA approved in the United States for years, and has had a vast amount of positive feedback and safety trials. In addition I would avoid massaging the injection sites for about 24 hours after the procedure.
+1
Droopy eyelids from Botox
Droopy eyelids can rarely happen following Botox Injections.
Nobody can actually guarantee that you won't have this complication, because there can be occasional variations in a person's muscle distribution width. But to lower your risk, it is important that you have your injections done by an experienced Board Certified Dermatologic or Plastic Surgeon.
+1
Botox side-effects
Droopy eyelids is a technical problem, not really a complication. Botox was either injected into an incorrect area or it was allowed to spread there.
While there is no fool-proof way to avoid technical problems, your best bet to avoid it is to ensure your doctor is well experienced with BOTOX injections.
Sincerely,
Martin Jugenburg, MD
+1
Avoiding Botox Side Effects
Most of the "side effects" described for Botox are associated with the Botox spreading to adjacent areas that you don't want to treat. As such, the best way to decrease the risk of side effects with Botox is to seek treatment with a physician with training in anatomy, injection technique and Botox use. In my opinion you should look for a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon with extensive experience in using Botox.
+1
Botox is safe- make sure you have a proper physician that is injecting
Yes Botox is safe. Eyelid drooping is a possible reaction but is uncommon. It is best to see a Facial Plastic Surgeon who frequently performs Botox injections and is most familiar with the facial muscles and aesthetic effects Botox has.
+1
Botox - side effects
Droopy eyelids can occur if botox is administered too close to the brow. This is very uncommon, but is just a technical problem. I would recommend going to an experienced injector who has a good understanding of facial anatomy. Also if you are nervous, talk to friends or other people you know that have had it. I personally have been getting botox injections since my late 20's and really love it's results. You should feel free to talk to your doctor...
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+1
Botox: minimal incidence of adverse side effects when administered by an experienced practitioner
Certainly I can understand feeling a bit anxious before trying something new. However, rest assured Botox is a very safe procedure when administered by an experienced practitioner. While some practices rely on ancillary staff (usually nurses, but not always) to administer Botox, I prefer to administer it myself, and my patients respond well. The likelihood of ptosis (eye drooping) is minimal.
+1
Risks with botox can be minimized
The usual side effects such as bruising sometimes can't be prevented. Droopy eyelids which occur in 2-3% of injections around the eyes can be reduced using good technique. In well trained hands it is extremely safe and effective.
+1
Minimizing Botox side effects
Although Botox is generally very safe, unwanted side effects including droppy eyebrows or eyelids can occur. The good news is that there are not permanent-- Botox is generally out of your system in 3-4 months. The number one way to minimize your risk of side effects is to see a physician who is well-trained and well-informed. Good luck,
Dr. Rupani
New York Dermatologist
+1
Botox Complications, avoiding problems
Botox does not have many side effects, but the more common side effects are bruising and inflammation, which are always a risk for any type of injection. These side effects can’t be totally prevented, but abstaining from taking any ibuprophen, aspirin, vitamin E, St.Johns Wart and alcohol for one week prior to injection and being treated by an experienced medical professional can lower the risk.
Choose your injector carefully. Look for someone experienced. Most plastic surgery...
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+1
To avoid complication, begin with limited areas and experienced injector.
Few complications come in the hands of experienced injectors when the injections are limited to the areas about the lids.
However, complications are more frequent when doing the mouth, neck, etc.
Therefore, we begin first time patients in limited areas and very carefully diagram areas treated and amounts used. From the initial response we can modify what we will later do.
Dr. Mayl
Fort lauderdale
+1
Botox is safe if the physician is experienced and artistic.
Congratulations on deciding to try Botox! If properly done by an experienced, careful, creative, and artistic board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon, there should be no trouble.
Side effects can occur from use of too much Botox, improperly placed Botox, or poking a blood vessel, which can lead to a small bit of bruising. For a first time treatment, it is perfectly fine to ask your doctor to be conservative so you can get used to the effects of a small amount until you feel...
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+1
Botox complications
Eyelid ptosis is the biggest concern and probably the most severe complication of botox use. It occurs rarely and if the surgeon is experienced should happen almost never. If it does occur the problem is temporary. There are no other significant coplications reported with the use of botox
+1
Botox and safety
The cosmetic use of botox is safe. There have never been any deaths or permanent effects. A droopy eyelid occurs when botox infiltrates into the muscle that lifts the eyelid. It can happen to inexperienced and experienced injectors alike. It is probably more likely in an inexperienced injector's hands. There is nothing to really prevent this complication except the obvious. I wouldn't start massaging the botox near the eyelid after the procedure. I would probably not go...
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+1
Experience Counts
Sorry this is such a short answer....
Experience with Dysport or Botox matters. Go to someone that has done hundreds.
In experienced hands it is very safe and reliable, yielding excellent results.
+1
Minimize Botox side effects
Botox may have side effects, especially when injected by non-experts. Eyelid droop is one potential side effect... that's why it's important to see a practitioner with extensive experience with botulinum toxins. The best tip for a great outcome is to see a dermatologist or plastic surgeon with years of experience injecting Botox, not someone in a recently-opened retail medspa.
Knowing the facial anatomy and appropriate dosing for your amount of "muscle mass" around the eyelids are...
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Baton Rouge Dermatologist
+1
Botox side effects
The best way to avoid avoidable side effects is to go to an experienced injector. Droopy eyelids is often an avoidable side effect. While it can rarely happen with proper injection technique in most cases it doesn't. I have used Botox for my patients for well over 13 years with very satisfying results.
+1
The Most Important Tip for avoiding problems with Botox
Hi there-
There can be no doubt of the safety of Botox. It is reliable, and patient satisfaction is overall extremely high.
When patient satisfaction after Botox IS experienced, it is almost always attributable to inexperience and poor technique on the part of the injector.
There are many reasons that nice people like yourself are being led to believe that anyone can inject Botox and the results will be equivalent- but common sense says otherwise.
Are human beings exactly the same in any...
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+1
Side effects to Botox
First you need to go to a experienced injector. Ask the injector about their training and how long they have been injecting Botox.
Botox side effects are typically minimal in nature. You can experience swelling or bruising at the injection site. Avoid aspirin, ibuphen, vitamin E, and some herbal products to reduce bruising seven days before treatment. Apply ice at the site to minimize bruising & swelling.
Make sure the Botox is FDA approved by Allergan. It's in a box with a hologram on...
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+1
Botox
How to insure a good first experience? I would suggest going to a qualified person who has alot of experience injecting Botox. This usually means a board certified doctor who was trained in facial aesthetics.
+1
Avoid Botox side effects
If you choose to go to an experienced and trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon for you botox injections, side effects are quite uncommon. If they were to occur, however, side effects could include bruising (usually resolves in 4-5 days), the occasional headache, and very rarely a drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow.
Drooping typically occurs when too much Botox is injected in one place or when Botox is injected too close to the eyebrow or eyelid. As Botox is not permanent, all these side...
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+1
Botox for the first time
The main tip: use an experienced well-trained injector. Side effects happen, but they are extremely rare. Four specialties are qualified to administer facial cosmetic treatments: facial plastic surgery, dermatology, oculoplastic surgery, and plastic surgery. Choose one of these, but make sure they have years of experience including hundreds if not thousands of patient injections.
Good luck and enjoy your Botox!
+1
Botox side effects caused by bad technique.
Hi.
Botox is extremely safe. But some inexperienced doctors who use Botox may not be safe.
The side effects I know about are due to either using too much Botox, or by putting it in the wrong place (like too close to the upper eyelid).
+1
Botox side effects minimized
BOTOX side effects in the hands of an experienced and trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon is quite uncommon. The main side effects would be a slight discomfort (like a mosquito bite), tiny bruise, the occasional headache, and rarely a drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow. A "spock brow" can also occasionally occur but is very easily fixed. In trained hands, these problems are uncommon, easily fixed, or quickly resolve on their own.
+1
Droopy eyelids following Botox
Complications following Botox treatment such as droopy eyelids is very uncommon. Botox has an excellent safety record. The most important issue when considering a Botox treatment is the experience and qualifications of the injector. Don't go just for price.
There is a lot of skill involved with Botox treatments. Botox is a powerful chemical which can create muscle imbalances and abnormal facial expressions. A skilled injector knows the anatomy and can avoid or correct such problems. The...
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+1
Botox has an excellent safety record
FDA approved Allergan Botox Cosmetic has an outstanding safety record for its use in facial cosmetics. I concur with most of the postings from my colleagues. Experience and an understanding of facial anatomy is the key in terms of minimizing the chances of undesirable results. A droopy eyelid can occur if Botox treatment to the glabellar area (corrugator muscles - located medially above your brow) involves migration of the medication to effect other muscles outside your treatment zone. ...
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+1
How to avoid side-effects with Botox and Dysport
Adverse events after Botox injections received a lot of attention after the FDA mandated a "boxed warning" for both products. The patient Medication Guide lists a range of horrible things such as loss of bladder control or inability to speak; though these messages are required by the FDA, no serious adverse events related to spread of the product beyond the injection site have ever happened with cosmetic doses. This despite the millions of injections that have been done. One really...
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+1
Botox has an excellent safety record
Botox has been used for many years and has an excellent safety profile, but no procedure is entirely 100% risk free. To ensure that you have the least chance of any adverse effects, be sure that you receive your treatment from an board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has experience with Botox injections. No matter who does your injections however, you may have some redness at each injection site and/or or a little bruise. Whether or not you will bruise is unpredictable. ...
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+1
Botox is very safe
Droppy eyelids from botox are extremely rare. What is more common is a lower or flatter brow from too much relaxation from botox in the forehead. If your forehead becomes completely relaxed then you may not be able to raise your eyebrows - this leads to a feeling of heavy brow and can make the brow flat and seem like you have droopy eyelids but the eyelids really are just weighed down by the heavy, relaxed brows that are no longer raised up by forehead muscles. The goal of botox is to...
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+1
Avoiding the bad Botox is easy
There is a LOT of BAD BOTOX out there. But it is so easy to avoid it.
Easy answer - Be Smart. Just get your Botox from a REPUTABLE physician ; either Plastic surgeon, Dermatologist or a Facial Plastic surgeon. Do NOT get it in a salon, a "Botox Party" or from another MD (such as a family practitioner etc), DO (osteopath) or DC (chiropractor).
Personally - I KNOW that a DOCTOR can always do a better job than the vast majority of "injectors" out there so I would recommend...
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+1
Avoid massaging after Botox or Dysport injection
Ideally, Botox injections should be performed by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Besides the precision and experience of your physician injector, you should refrain massage the skin areas after Botox or Dysport injection for the rest of the day to minimize migration. Inadvertent or unintentional massage of forehead area after Botox or Dysport can lead to droopy eyelids or ptosis. In the event of droopy eyelids after Botox or Dysport, be reassured that it usually...
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+1
Botox side effects are typically minimal if they occur
Botox side effects are typically minimal if they occur. One can avoid botox side effects by not asking or having excessive amounts placed at the initial or repeat injection time. Also, most of the side effects such as droopy eyelids can be avoided by going to experienced injectors; howevever, even in experienced hands this can sometimes occur. If a droopy eyelid should occur, this problem can be temporarily corrected with naphcon eye drops when in public to help lift the droopy eyelids...
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+1
Botox safety
In general , Botox is safe. The key precaution that you can take before getting Botox treatment to minimize risks is to get the treatment from a qualified, board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. The physician should have experience with Botox and the patient should have comfort that the physician is using "Botox" from Allergan.
Otherwise, there really is not much you can do to prevent the minimal risks associated with Botox therapy.
+1
Botox side effects
Any experienced injector who is properly trained and credentialled can minimize or eliminate side effects related to Botox. Botox should be stored properly and used within the prescribed time. Therefore, the physician that you go to must have sufficient patient flow to utilize the product in a timely manner.
+1
Seek the right Botox provider to avoid side effects
To reduce the chances of a bad cosmetic Botox or Dysport outcome, make sure you are treated by a physician who is appropriately trained and appropriately board certified (for example, a plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, or a dermatologist). These individuals will have the largest injectable experience. I tend to think that other types of doctors whose primary focus is not cosmetic (such as internists or gynecologists) will run you the risk of a less than ideal outcome. Same with nurse...
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+1
Easy to administer Botox, difficult to deal with possible complications
I would echo the sentiments of the other answers.
There has been a recent review by the FDA of the safety of Botox due to several adverse reactions. From the information provided by the FDA, the adverse events seem to have occurred in children less than 12 years of age and in adults where large quantities of Botox have been administers (100-700 Units). In the adult group, there were hospitalizations but no deaths or even need for ventilatory support. In my practice, I administer 20 Units of...
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Avoid botox side effects by fake or imported product
At this time, the manufacturer of Botox (Allergan) is the only provider of Botox to doctors’ offices in the US (outside of a few other clinical trials).
If you were to find someone that has bootlegged a Botox-like product, a copycat from another country, or bought it from a different manufacturer, that would be huge red flag and very dangerous as they might not be using the purified derivative of the Botulism toxin
Consult with a reputable plastic surgeon or dermatologist before...
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+1
Avoiding common Botox side effects
Botox is one of the most widely-investigated products on the market. There are over 20 years of strong evidence that points to its safety when it is injected properly by an experienced doctor. Like any treatment, it does have some side effects, even when used perfectly. These can include pain, bruising, and allergies in extremely rare cases. It is critical to inject the right dosage or strength of Botox in the right muscles of the face to minimize some common side...
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