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After my last round of Botox, my forehead became extremely oily. What should I do?

Now, almost 6 mos later, It is still that way. I appear to have bumps under my skin in my glabella area and above my inner brow area.. When I rub my fingers over that area it feels lumpy. It is not acne. What happened? Will it go away? I read that botox can cause oil glands to clog. Is this what happened? What can I do to aleve this?

Doctor Answers 7

Oily skin after botox

May 3rd, 2014
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Oil glands are regulated by hormones and not affected by Botox.  The sweat glands however are affected by Botox - but their activity is reduced - that means you should sweat LESS after Botox. 
In any case - after 6 months, all the effect of Botox should have subsided  - so whatever makes your forehead oily is not from the Botox.  Check with your dermatologist - good luck !
Niels C. Krejci, MD


Boston Dermatologist

May 3rd, 2014

Oily skin after botox

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Oil glands are regulated by hormones and not affected by Botox.  The sweat glands however are affected by Botox - but their activity is reduced - that means you should sweat LESS after Botox. 
In any case - after 6 months, all the effect of Botox should have subsided  - so whatever makes your forehead oily is not from the Botox.  Check with your dermatologist - good luck !


Boston Dermatologist

Increased Oil From BOTOX Cosmetic

May 29th, 2014
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Hi there. I'm sorry to hear about your concerns following your BOTOX treatment. However, it's unlikely that your oily skin is due to BOTOX. In fact, there is a bit of anecdotal evidence that BOTOX actually decreases oil production, although more research is needed. Increased oil production can be caused by many factors, including hormones, skincare products, and even the weather. Lumps do occasionally occur after BOTOX and are sometimes caused by a blood vessel being punctured during the injection. I recommend seeing a board-certified dermatologist to get to the bottom of your oiliness and lumps. Best of luck.
Susan M. Stuart, MD

Susan M. Stuart, MD
San Diego Dermatologist
3.7 out of 5 stars 3 reviews

May 29th, 2014

Increased Oil From BOTOX Cosmetic

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Hi there. I'm sorry to hear about your concerns following your BOTOX treatment. However, it's unlikely that your oily skin is due to BOTOX. In fact, there is a bit of anecdotal evidence that BOTOX actually decreases oil production, although more research is needed. Increased oil production can be caused by many factors, including hormones, skincare products, and even the weather. Lumps do occasionally occur after BOTOX and are sometimes caused by a blood vessel being punctured during the injection. I recommend seeing a board-certified dermatologist to get to the bottom of your oiliness and lumps. Best of luck.

Susan M. Stuart, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

Oily Skin and Botox

May 7th, 2014
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It has been six months since your Botox injection so the Botox has likely worn off. We know that Botox can affect the sweat glands and there is decrease in sweating. It is likely that Botox will decrease the production of oil. (And, as a side note, Botox increasing oil has never been reported.) I would suggest a HydraJuve Age Prevention Facial or an Ultimate Hydration Facial to detoxify, cleansed, hydrate and rejuvenate your skin.
Choon Kia Yeo, MD
May 7th, 2014

Oily Skin and Botox

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
It has been six months since your Botox injection so the Botox has likely worn off. We know that Botox can affect the sweat glands and there is decrease in sweating. It is likely that Botox will decrease the production of oil. (And, as a side note, Botox increasing oil has never been reported.) I would suggest a HydraJuve Age Prevention Facial or an Ultimate Hydration Facial to detoxify, cleansed, hydrate and rejuvenate your skin.
Choon Kia Yeo, MD

Lumps post botox

May 7th, 2014
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It is hard to imagine that these lumps you are now feeling are the result of botox.If they bother you then I would return to your doctor to let him evaluate it.I don't belive it is related to the botox.

Web reference: http://beauty-by-brueck.com/botox-fort-myers

Robert Brueck, MD
May 7th, 2014

Lumps post botox

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It is hard to imagine that these lumps you are now feeling are the result of botox.If they bother you then I would return to your doctor to let him evaluate it.I don't belive it is related to the botox.

Learn more: http://beauty-by-brueck.com/botox-fort-myers

Robert Brueck, MD

After my last round of Botox, my forehead became extremely oily.

May 2nd, 2014
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Very very unusual that BOTOX causes oily production of treated skin areas. Best to see the injecting doc to treat you in person... 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD
May 2nd, 2014

After my last round of Botox, my forehead became extremely oily.

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Very very unusual that BOTOX causes oily production of treated skin areas. Best to see the injecting doc to treat you in person... 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Botox and ? of oil skin relation

May 1st, 2014
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I have never heard of Botox directly causing oily skin, in fact quite the contrary, topical Botox is being studied right now to treat oily skin and acne because of it's power at interfering with neuron transmission and the idea that it might actually interfere with neuron-transmission to produce oil.

Instead I would consider other common causes of worsening acne like increased stress, hormone changes, and high glycemic diet (high in sugar, simple carbs. and lactose-rich dairy), and see a board-certified dermatologist to help you work it all out.
Karen Stolman, MD

Karen Stolman, MD
Sandy Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

May 1st, 2014

Botox and ? of oil skin relation

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
I have never heard of Botox directly causing oily skin, in fact quite the contrary, topical Botox is being studied right now to treat oily skin and acne because of it's power at interfering with neuron transmission and the idea that it might actually interfere with neuron-transmission to produce oil.

Instead I would consider other common causes of worsening acne like increased stress, hormone changes, and high glycemic diet (high in sugar, simple carbs. and lactose-rich dairy), and see a board-certified dermatologist to help you work it all out.

Karen Stolman, MD
Sandy Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox and oily skin

April 30th, 2014
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Botox is a wonderful treatment for fine lines around the eyes, forehead, and glabella area. I have never seen skin react by becoming more oily.  Perhaps your skin is changing as a result of other products you are using or hormonal changes? I suggest you consult a board certified dermatologist to get a proper skin evaluation to see what is the cause of the oiliness an bumps.  Please let me know what happens.

Web reference: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/botox-cosmetic

Michele S. Green, MD
April 30th, 2014

Botox and oily skin

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Botox is a wonderful treatment for fine lines around the eyes, forehead, and glabella area. I have never seen skin react by becoming more oily.  Perhaps your skin is changing as a result of other products you are using or hormonal changes? I suggest you consult a board certified dermatologist to get a proper skin evaluation to see what is the cause of the oiliness an bumps.  Please let me know what happens.

Learn more: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/botox-cosmetic

Michele S. Green, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.