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I have swelling and bruising to Botox, dysport and Xeomin. Is this normal?

I have had it done around my eyes - 4 times. My reaction to Botox, dysport and Xeomin, as follows: Onset of swelling within 2 hours, bruising around side of eyes - eventually dropping beneath and below each eye which last up to 7 days, increasing with every botox use. All associated with pain. After 2 to 3 days also pain within the muscles of jaw. Length of effects decreasing every time. I have no knows allergies. I'm willing to try it again perhaps with different saline. Please advise!!

Doctor Answers 4

Swelling and Bruising After Botox

October 14th, 2016
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Bruising after Botox can occur. Most of the time it is visible the same day or the very next day. In some cases, however, it may become visible several days later. A bruise occurs when blood leaks out of a traumatized blood vessel. It could be that with strenuous activity or rubbing or due to blood thinners that an injured blood vessel dislodges a clot and causes some blood to leak into the tissue and thus cause a visible bruise. The bruise typically dissipates within a week or two. Swelling, redness, discomfort and possibly bruising during the first few days following the injection is common. Most of this settles down within 3 days. Occasionally, the swelling can last up to one week, as well as bruising.

Web reference: http://www.myethosspa.com/services/botox/

Hardik Soni, MD


Summit Emergency Medicine Physician
5.0 out of 5 stars 46 reviews

October 14th, 2016

Swelling and Bruising After Botox

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Bruising after Botox can occur. Most of the time it is visible the same day or the very next day. In some cases, however, it may become visible several days later. A bruise occurs when blood leaks out of a traumatized blood vessel. It could be that with strenuous activity or rubbing or due to blood thinners that an injured blood vessel dislodges a clot and causes some blood to leak into the tissue and thus cause a visible bruise. The bruise typically dissipates within a week or two. Swelling, redness, discomfort and possibly bruising during the first few days following the injection is common. Most of this settles down within 3 days. Occasionally, the swelling can last up to one week, as well as bruising.

Learn more: http://www.myethosspa.com/services/botox/

Hardik Soni, MD


Summit Emergency Medicine Physician
5.0 out of 5 stars 46 reviews

Routine bruising after Botox not usual

June 17th, 2014
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A rare bruise when injecting the fragile, vascular tissues around the eye happens with the best injectors. But to have significant bruising after every treatment is extremely unusual. You should have your injector examine you a couple of days after the treatment. Do you use any agents the "thin" the blood such as Coumadin (Warfarin), aspirin, NSAID's and large dose Vit C or fish oil?

If your description is accurate, your injector is using good technique and you are not taking any agents that can cause bleeding you should consult your doctor to check for medical conditions that can cause bleeding.
Curtis Perry, MD

Curtis Perry, MD
Downey Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 19 reviews

June 17th, 2014

Routine bruising after Botox not usual

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
A rare bruise when injecting the fragile, vascular tissues around the eye happens with the best injectors. But to have significant bruising after every treatment is extremely unusual. You should have your injector examine you a couple of days after the treatment. Do you use any agents the "thin" the blood such as Coumadin (Warfarin), aspirin, NSAID's and large dose Vit C or fish oil?

If your description is accurate, your injector is using good technique and you are not taking any agents that can cause bleeding you should consult your doctor to check for medical conditions that can cause bleeding.
Curtis Perry, MD

Curtis Perry, MD
Downey Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 19 reviews

Bruising and swelling following Botox, Xeomine or Dysport

June 16th, 2014
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There are many small veins under eyes and around the outside part of the eyelids where Botox in injected to decrease squint lines and raise lateral brow. You can have these lasered to remove the visible ones.
You show feel a little pin prick while being injected, much like a mosquito bite.

Have your injector see you 2-4 days post injection so that he or she can see what physiological is going on. I hope it is a MD. 
David A. F. Ellis, MD

David A. F. Ellis, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
3.1 out of 5 stars 9 reviews

June 16th, 2014

Bruising and swelling following Botox, Xeomine or Dysport

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
There are many small veins under eyes and around the outside part of the eyelids where Botox in injected to decrease squint lines and raise lateral brow. You can have these lasered to remove the visible ones.
You show feel a little pin prick while being injected, much like a mosquito bite.

Have your injector see you 2-4 days post injection so that he or she can see what physiological is going on. I hope it is a MD. 

David A. F. Ellis, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

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Swelling and bruising after neuromodulator injections

June 11th, 2014
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Swelling and bruising are very minor concerns when it comes to neuromodulator injections. Sometimes you will get what's known as a "bee sting" at the injection sites that lasts for a few hours, and you can get a small bruise - more common for crow's feet injection sites. But more swelling and bruising than this, and pain after, would be very, very uncommon. Are you seeing the same injector each time?
F. Victor Rueckl, MD
June 11th, 2014

Swelling and bruising after neuromodulator injections

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Swelling and bruising are very minor concerns when it comes to neuromodulator injections. Sometimes you will get what's known as a "bee sting" at the injection sites that lasts for a few hours, and you can get a small bruise - more common for crow's feet injection sites. But more swelling and bruising than this, and pain after, would be very, very uncommon. Are you seeing the same injector each time?
F. Victor Rueckl, 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.