I Had Intradermal Botox and Now I Can't Move my Forehead and my Eyebrows Are Less Arched? (photo)

I had the intradermal botox which is supposed to lessen oil production and shrink pores. Now I am on day two and I can't move my forehead and my eyebrows don't have the arch they used to. It was my understanding that the intradermal botox should only affect the top layer of skin and not the muscles beneath it. Has my doctor injected the botox too deep? Or is this just a temporary side effect? My forehead is quite frozen and paralyzed and I miss the arch my eyebrows used to have. Thanks.

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by chelsea.rey

Doctor Answers (14)
Community Comments (2)

Frozen forehead and depressed eyebrow shape after Botox

Based on your description, it's quite clear that the forehead (frontalis) muscle was affected by the Botox, whether it's intended or not. The good news is that Botox will wear off with time. The use of Botox to decrease oil production and shrink pores has limited application and at place like the forehead, the unintended effect of Botox is quite likely to show up since the muscle is right below the skin. Botox is quite effective in decreasing sweat production. There are quite a few other... more

Botox lessens muscle movement

Botox will affect muscle movement whether that was your reason for using it or not. The botox travels a bit from where it is put and diffuses to nerves in area. That is why we can get such a smooth effect with few injections. I would not choose this as a first line treatment for oil production as there are better ways to do this that will last longer. The good news is that this will wear off completely in 3-4 months and if you had low doses , probably sooner.

Botox always spreads beyond the area of injection

There is no way to inject Botox in the dermis and prevent it from spreading to the skin 1-2 cm around it and to the muscles underneath it. The frozen forehead muscles and change in your eyebrow arch are all due to the Botox spreading to your forehead muscles. Since Botox lasts about 4 months, your forehead will be affected for that amount of time. Topical retinoids (which you may or may not use) will help with your oily skin and pores much more than Botox, and it will not affect your... more

Droopy forehead after botox

What youre experiencing is a very common side effect of Botox when it is injected on the forehead whether it is for forehead lines or increased sweat production. at this point you just have to wait it out as Botox will wear off in 3-4 months

Misbah Khan, MD

5 reviews

New York Dermatologic Surgeon

Intradermal Botox

First, Botox is temporary, so this will last for about 3-4 months as the Botox wears off. Personally I don't think Botox is a great product to lessen oil production and shrink pores - there are much more effective solutions to this than Botox. So selling it as this, really isn't the best idea, as you've seen firsthand now. Botox injected intradermally absolutely can go into the nearby muscles and affect it. Which is exactly what has happened to you. It will wear off over time, sorry. more

Diffusion of Botox

Botox injected intradermally will diffuse out from the site of injection and affect muscles in the area of injection. It appears this has happened to you as your midbrow and forehead are very flat. This is what caused the eyebrows to flatten as well. You might want to consider another injector next time around as selling Botox as a product to lessen oil production and shrink pores is so far off the 'off label' use that I question the sales pitch. It certainly works... more

Steven Swengel, MD

3 reviews

Los Gatos Dermatologic Surgeon

www.RefinedMD.com

Intradermal Botox and Lack of Forehead Movement

The diffusion radius of Botox or deeper injection has caused muscle paralysis. I do not perform this for the forehead due to the fact that the result is not predictable.

Botox and effectiveness

It sounds like the Botox is doing what it is intended to do, stop the muscle(s) from working, and if you didn't know this was going to be part of the treatment in addition to what you expected, I would follow up with your provider for better education and understanding of what you've had done.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Botox for the forehead

The forehead muscles lie very superficially, just under the skin, so even very superficial injections of Botox will affect the muscles. Please return to your injector so he can see the results. It may be possible to use fewer units or a more dilute solution of Botox to give you some improvement in the oil production without too much effect on the muscles.