Botox's Gone Wrong (On my Chin and Jaw)? (photo)

Question

In November 2012.I had Botox on my chin 4 units ( to make my chin longer said the doctor) and 30x2=60 units for jaw reduction . Two days after I had it, my mouth, chin , smile looked funny. I have been having a stroke-like smile since then. Is it going to be recovered ? It has been over 3 months now, I am very worried . Thank you to the doctors who kindly give me some advice.

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  You may of had botox injected into one of the right DAO muscle causing your upper lip to elevate causing asymmetry.   Rest assured, the botox will wear off in the next month.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

Your treatment will wear off in ~3 to 4 months and those unpleasant side effects will go away. Be sure to follow up with your provider so they can see what's happened with your treatment.

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

Botox injections can sometimes go awry if the person administering the Botox uses too much or injects in the wrong place. In both cases, the surrounding muscles are inadvertently affected, which is what you’ve been experiencing. At three months, the Botox should almost be worn off. These side effects will be completely gone within the next couple of months.

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

You should notice your lip depressor function and your smile symmetry return very soon. As you noted, muscles that were not the intended target were treated with Botox, but it should wear off this month since you are already 3 months from treatment.

Misbah Khan MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

the number of units used to correct the jawline and the chin (60 units) is on the high side in my opinion. the greater the number of units used the longer it will take for the Botox to wear off. its not permanent. just be patient

Ramona Behshad, MD · Answer

If the depressor labii inferioris is inadvertantly weakened with chin botox injections, the weakened side (the right side in your case) will rest higher upon smiling. That is because the muscle that normally pulls down that side of the lip is weakened. The way to correct this is to inject the depressor labii inferioris on the unaffected side (left side in your case) to even out your smile so that both muscles are weakened. That being said, since you've waited 3 months, it may be safer to hold off on any more injections in the area. That way, you're not constantly chasing one droopy side with another.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

Your uneven smile will gradually return to normal, but it may take another month or so.  Make sure your doctor knows the result you have had so he can adjust your next treatment.

Jo Herzog, MD · Answer

It looks like you got some narrowing of your jawline with this and a little lip droop. This can happen and if it was earlier on you might want to try to balance the other side. However, your Botox in the lip area should be waring off soon and I would just be patient. I do not expect this to last

Jacque P. LeBeau, MD · Answer

From the pictures you have provided it appears that you have had some of the surrounding facial musculature unintentionally treated when your chin and masseter muscles were treated. Of course, Botox is a temporary neurotoxin and you should begin to see return of function soon and will have no long term sequelae related to this mishap.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The botox probably hit your DAO muscles which will cause your lip to raise when the muscle is paralyzed. It may take 4-6 months to improve.

Botox's Gone Wrong (On my Chin and Jaw)? (photo)

Answers (13)