I received for the first time ever, Botox 50 units, around all the usual areas for treatment on my face. 2 days later, I developed painful, burning, red, rough skinned, rosacea. I have only had rosacea once about 2 years ago and I got Metrogel from the derm. It went away in about 3 weeks. Did Botox cause this recent issue? I did not do anything different in my life since then. Will it go away? What do I do for relief and treatment?
Answer
In the realm of anything can happen in medicine and that there is always a first time for everything, I suppose that perhaps the stress alone of receiving the Botox treatment might engender a flare of rosacea in someone who has the tendency for it. However, I have personally successfully used appropriate concentrations of Botox (and other neuromodulators, such as Dysport and Xeomin) to treat the persistent flush (redness, erythema) of rosacea and even the inflammation of psoriatic plaques. More likely other factors may have been responsible for the flare that you describe and this should be explored with your dermatologist.
Dr. Nelson Lee Novick, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
Although rosacea is not a common side effect of Botox, it is a possibility you are experiencing a side effect from your treatment. Contact your dermatologist for assessment and appropriate treatment. If your symptoms are from Botox they will diminish in approx. 3 months.
Dr. Martin Jugenburg, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
It is possible that the prep used to clean the skin prior to the injections flared your rosacea. People with rosacea find they do best using mild products for cleaning and moisturizing their skin. When prepping the skin for injections, stronger more irritating cleaners are used.
Dr. Richard Parfitt, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
I frequently use botox to treat rosacea and have never seen botox cause rosacea to worsen. Best, Dr. Emer.
Dr. Jason Emer, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
While it is possible to have a reaction to botox, the greater likelihood is that you had a reaction to the cleaning agent prior to the injection or even had a response due to a new situation, Consult with your injector and your dermatologist for possibilities.
