“Think long and hard before getting botox, it ruined my face”
Botox: NOT worth it
Pain: Mild
I had Botox done for my crow’s feet 3 months ago, and I can honestly say it is the worst decision I have ever made, 5 days after having it done I noticed protruding bags under my eyes at the top of my cheeks. Let me make this clear I never had these before at all, they were not too bad when I made no expression apart from making me look excessively tired, when I smiled however I looked hideous , and I am not exaggerating the bags bunched up under my eyes giving me a chipmunk look that coupled with the fact that my eyes did not move at all when I smiled made me look demented a bit like Jack Nicholson in the Shining!!!...........This is no joke I have never felt so bad about myself in my life.
Also I had a weird indentation under the inner corner of my right eye a bit like pressing into your skin hard with your finger leaving an indentation until the skin bounces back, but the skin didn’t bounce back it was left like that. Also the wrinkles under my eyes were a million times worse and the skin was sagging under the eyes, my smile was also ruined.........all this was not present before I had Botox.
Being very concerned about all this I asked the experts on this site, all the answers were very much the same that as the Botox had also been injected just under my eye that it had caused the muscle to drop and therefore the fatty tissue under the eye to drop, which was causing the bags under my eyes, and that after 3 months everything would return to normal.
I decided to wait 3 months before writing this review so that I could let everyone know if my face had returned back to its previous state, well the 3 months have come and gone last week and I am very sad to say that nothing has returned to normal except for my crow’s feet returning. I still have the protruding bags, the pronounced wrinkles under my eyes and the indentation, all of which I never had before, I feel my face is ruined and my self confidence has been shot to pieces.
Think long and hard before getting Botox around your eyes as it has ruined my face. I had Botox between my eyebrows for frown lines twice before and I was really pleased with the results but I should never have thought that just because it was a success in that area it would be a success around my eyes, the eyes are such an important feature in our faces, they show laughter, sadness, fear etc once you take away the eyes ability to show emotion, you do not look real, I regret every day having this done, please please don’t end up feeling like that too.
May 2, 2009Comments and replies (60)
14 posts
20 May 2009
I feel your pain. I had Botox done around my eyes too, with awful results that make me look older. I'm 40, but before I had Botox around my eyes, passed for 31-32 when not smiling. The eye wrinkles that formed when I smile are what prompted me to try Botox. Oops - now I really look 40 with sunken tear troughs. I'm reading that it can take from 6 months to a year for Botox to completely leave a treated area, although the intended improvements only last 3 or 4 months. My biggest worry is that even when it wears off, the muscle will never regain the tone it had before the treatment and the sunken look will still be there. The doctors will now conveniently sell me on fillers or surgery to make a correction to this. How convenient for them.
7 posts
22 May 2009
I got a bunching effect under the eye within 5 days after botox, which looked like a deep crease/indentation. My left eye was way worse. So yeah, I totally feel your pain, it made me look older and very strange. I couldn't smile properly, which was also unfavourable an not natural for me. Good news is that 4 months on, I can see the undereye creases & wrinkles actually going away again as it really wears off. My slight crows feet are coming back, but I don't care. I'd take them anyday over the horrible bag/crease thing below the eye. I must point out that I think technique has a lot to do with it. However, I won't bother using botox again! It was a nasty and costly experience.
337 posts
1 Aug 2009
I don't know if you are still reading these posts but I had a total botox disaster three weeks ago (read my review). I too have the puffy bags, chipmunk cheeks and bizarre smile with all bunching etc under my eyes. Nothing to smile about anyway! Are you all back to normal? I am scared that my face has dropped so badly that it will never go back to how it was because the muscle tone will not recover properly. I look like I have had a stroke. I was thinking of getting a Tua Viso to try to improve the muscle tone when the muscles start to re-engage. Has anyone else used one of these and, if so, does it work? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Aside from going to work (where I hide in my office) my botox disaster has made me the most lonely person. I am too ashamed to tell my friends what I have done and fear that by the end of this mess I won't have any left. The boyfriend (shallow cad) has already departed...
5 posts
2 Aug 2009
hi MeToo, how did accupuncture help? I too have a freakish smile following botox injection under my eyes. My intention was to look less tired and my GP recommended botox. Now my eyes are puffy 24/7, i hv visible eye bags and I too look like Jack Nicholson in Shining! This is the longest one and a half mths that passed and I really want my smile back ASAP! I need to constantly meet clients, but i hate gg for meetings now! ive been so withdrawn and not my usual happy self.
337 posts
3 Aug 2009
It is really nice not to feel so alone. I had the botox disaster on 10 July so am heading for 4 weeks this Friday. I was so depressed and anxious that I barely made it to work today. MeToo your post has given me hope that this is the worst it is going to get. Thank you for some hope. Thank also for your reply Beth F. I realistically expected 5 to 6 months for recovery. I have lines all around my mouth now because my face has dropped so far. The irony! Incidentally, it was your original post and the effect you described that enabled me to work out what had happened to me. I have also spoken with Amy (Amaxy) on the phone and she really helped me get through the terrible first two weeks. My face would NOT stop changing. Was this the first botox experience for all of you or had you had botox before (without the diabolical results)?
1 post
5 Aug 2009
I had a botox treatment for a medical condition 2 years ago. The botox didn't help my condition at all and left me with indentations / depressions in my forehead above my eye brows and centre forehead. They remained there without change for at lest 18 months and I thought they would be there forever but I have since found a treatment that removes them. I figure it may also help with some of these other permanent problems left after botox injections. Please contact me for more information. scapegoat2000@yahoo.com
14 posts
10 Aug 2009
My botox is almost completely worn off now. I'll probably be getting part of the forehead done again and maybe a small amount at the cheekbone under the corners of my eyes. It really is a crap shoot whether you'll look better or freaky after a treatment. I plan to always find out what amounts are used. I also plan on getting it a month or two before I plan to be social or have an event to look nice for. That way you have some time for the concentration of it to diminish. For anyone reading that has had a bad result, don't panic, relax --- it does wear off.
337 posts
10 Aug 2009
Thanks aboutface - I know it does wear off because I have had it before. However, I do not think my face will go back to how it was before. Further, I am concerned that the botox will last longer because its effect was potentiated by the antibiotics.
4 posts
15 Aug 2009
Hi about face How long ago did you have botox? I had it almost 4 months ago in my forehead, frown lines and around the eyes. I have hated the effects ever since i have had it done. Although I can feel the effects wearing off, I still have weird chipmonk cheeks when I smile and strange lines under my eyes. Do you really think all of this will totally go away? Would be so grateful for a response as this has ruined my confidence and I am so so frightened. Thank you.
337 posts
19 Aug 2009
Hi Petrified. I had botox about six weeks ago and am starting to see improvement - eyes less puffy underneath and upper eyelids less swollen. I still have the chipmumk cheeks when I smile and my whole face shape seems changed. Not for the better! In all honesty, I actually don't think my face will ever completely back to how it was but the change will be slight and probably only noticeable to me. I also have to factor in that I will be older by the time it wears off. However, I think you still have a few months before yours all wears off. When I first had botox in October 2008 I did not have it again until April 2009 and I am positive that it had not completely worn off by then. Almost but not completely. That's six months. I think that the recommendation to continue to have botox every 3 to 4 months does not relate to how long to effect actually lasts. I think this time frame is for people who like how it looks and want to keep that look. If you keep doing botox every 3 to 4 months then you will keep the muscles weakened. At four months, your muscles should be working properly but it will take time for them to build back up to full strength. Think about what a broken leg looks like when it comes out of a cast - all skinny compared with the other one. It takes time before the leg muscle plumps back up and the two legs look the same size again. Same deal with your face. Your muscles are working but they haven't 'recovered' yet. I would say that realistically you should give it another two to three months for this to happen. And remember, other muscles were working in place of the previously paralysed muscles so that you could smile and talk etc. It will just take time for it all to come right again. As another person who hates her botox result, I have looked at everything to try to speed up the recovery process. They are very expensive, but I even bought a Tua Viso because it stimulates facial muscles with electricity. It is too early for me to use it (my muscles are still fairly well completely paralysed) but I think I will give it a go when they start to move again. I can't find anyone to give me any advice on whether this is a good idea or not, so I am not recommending it to you. My advice to you is wait a bit longer and it should all come right. I'm in the same boat and wish you the best. K