Should I be scared of Botox? Can it kill me? Or stop my breathing? Can it cause blindness?

Hi, thanks for your question. Botox is a very safe treatment that has been used since the 1970s to treat a variety of symptoms and has been used cosmetically for 20 years. It will not cause any of the adverse reactions that you mention. Be sure to see an experienced injector in order to get the result that you are looking to achieve and who will administer the right dosage. And if you have concerns you can always book a consultation with a registered nurse injector in order to discuss any worries that you have. Your provider should also speak to you about your medical history in order to ensure that you have no allergies or any other issues that might prevent you from getting Botox. You need to feel comfortable with any treatment that you decide to undergo, but rest assured that Botox is very safe.

Hi Stars
Thanks for your question. You should not be concerned regarding the side effects of antiwrinkle injections as they are exceedingly rare if done by an experienced practitioner. There are rare case reports of death with very large doses when injected into the neck for non-cosmetic purposes. If you are having it done for cosmetic reasons it is not going to cause death or blindness. The most likely complication (but still rare) is eyelid ptosis where the eyelid droops but this is temporary and can be helped with eye drops.
Regards
Damien

Thanks for the question. There has been no demonstrated significant adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with the normal dose of Botox injections unless they are placed very casually with an improper technique. Very rare complications are mostly due to over dosage and defective technique. For cosmetic purposes, the correct dose of Botox injected locally in a specified skin area will not cause breathing problems or blindness. Be sure to see an experienced facial plastic surgeon for cosmetic treatments to avoid the minimal risk of side effects.I hope this helps. Best wishes.

I understand the fear of trying something you've never done before, especially something that involves needles, but no need to fear! Botox is very safe for both cosmetic and medical usage. It will not kill you, stop your breathing, or blind you at doses physicians inject.

Botox has been around for over 20 years globally and used in millions of people for cosmetic treatments and medical treatments (e.g. migraines, TMJ pain, excessive sweating, bladder dysfunction, after-stroke spasticity, club foot, Raynaud's disease etc). Its even used in children. Dosed & administered properly by your physician, there is no risk of it killing you or stopping your breathing or affecting your vision.

Should I be scared of Botox? - No.
Can it kill me? - Not at levels used in cosmetic practice.
Or stop my breathing? - Not at levels used in cosmetic practice.
Can it cause blindness?- No.
You should note that all medical interventions (whether non-surgical, minimally invasive, or surgical) have associated risks. Make sure that you see a cosmetic doctor whom you are comfortable with and trust.
Also, if you've never had anti-wrinkle injections previously, then consider requesting Xeomin (instead of BOTOX or Dysport).

The reason why Botox is the # 1 nonsurgical cosmetic procedure is because it has such a high patient satisfaction and safety profile. These reasons are why it is used in virtually every specialty in medicine. It is one of the most studied medications we have.

It was originally used in children before cosmetic use because it is so safe and effective in large doses for cerebral palsy, polio, neck spasms and crossed eyes. The deadly side effects from distant spread have not been reported in cosmetic use because much smaller doses are used typically. Of all the drugs we use in medicine Botox and other brands are not the ones to be feared as long as you go to an experienced, trained doctor.

Botox has been used for years with great results and happy patients. Complications from Botox are very rare. It is important that you understand the risks with ANY treatment you choose, but Botox carries very minimal risk. Select an experienced injector near you for your treatment.

Great question. An in person exam is necessary to best advise you. Botulinum toxin (botox, dysport, xeomin, and jeaveau) is a safe treatment but does require an experienced injector. The black box warning for Botox is distant spread of medication that could effect breathing, however this was seen in patients receiving larger amounts of Botox in the neck (platysma) for cervical dystonia (neck muscle spasm). Regardless, important to see an experienced injector that can listen to your goals and create a safe and effective treatment plan.
Hope this helps!
Alex Blandford, MDOculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryVero Beach, FL

Hello and thank you for your question. I’m not sure what you’ve heard about Botox but you don’t have to worry. Botox is a very safe product, used by millions of people. The one thing you need to be careful with is the injector, make sure you find an experienced person. Best wishes.
Dr. T