I injected Botox 7 months ago and after 2 weeks of injections I got swelling eyes and it didn't get better till now (Photo)

Question

Is that because of the Botox and is there is any treatment except eyelid surgery ?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with this for so long. Swelling around the eyes that begins shortly after a cosmetic procedure can be very distressing, especially when it persists for months rather than days or weeks.

Looking at your photo, I can see persistent puffiness of the upper and lower eyelid area, but I would be cautious about concluding that Botox itself is the direct cause after 7 months.

What Botox Can Cause

Botox around the forehead, glabella, or crow’s feet can sometimes lead to:

Temporary eyelid heaviness (ptosis)
Mild brow drooping
Periorbital puffiness due to altered muscle activity and lymphatic drainage
Swelling that usually appears within a few days to 2 weeks

However, the important point is that Botox effects typically wear off within 3–4 months (sometimes up to 5 months). Persistent swelling 7 months later is unlikely to be caused by active Botox still working in the tissue.

What May Have Happened

Because your swelling started about 2 weeks after the injections, Botox may have been a trigger or contributing factor, but another condition may now be responsible for the ongoing puffiness.

Possibilities I would consider include:

Chronic eyelid edema
Allergic or irritant dermatitis
Blepharochalasis or dermatochalasis (excess eyelid skin that became more noticeable after brow muscle relaxation)
Lymphatic drainage dysfunction
Thyroid-related eye changes (especially if you have any history of thyroid disease)
Fluid retention from medications, sleep position, allergies, or sinus issues
The Timing Is Important

You mentioned:

Botox injection
Swelling began about 2 weeks later
No improvement for 7 months

If Botox were the sole cause, I would expect at least partial improvement by 3–4 months as the muscle function returned. The fact that it has persisted unchanged makes me think it is worth evaluating for other medical causes rather than assuming it is permanent Botox damage.

Is There Any Treatment Besides Eyelid Surgery?

Yes — and I would not jump to blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) without first determining whether this is true excess skin or chronic swelling.

Non-Surgical Approaches

Depending on the cause, treatments may include:

Cold compresses
Sleeping with the head elevated
Treating allergies (oral antihistamines or prescription anti-inflammatory creams if appropriate)
Lymphatic massage or microcurrent therapy for fluid retention
Prescription topical treatments if there is underlying eyelid dermatitis
Evaluation of thyroid function and kidney/cardiovascular causes of edema if clinically indicated.
One Clue From Your Photo

The puffiness appears to involve both the upper and lower eyelids relatively symmetrically, which is less typical of a localized Botox complication and more suggestive of fluid retention, skin laxity, or another systemic or inflammatory process.

Could Botox Have Made Existing Aging Changes More Noticeable?

Yes, that is actually quite possible.

In some patients, relaxing the forehead and crow’s feet muscles can reduce the natural “lift” those muscles provide, making pre-existing upper eyelid hooding or under-eye bags appear more prominent. Patients sometimes perceive this as “Botox caused swelling,” when in reality it has unmasked tissue laxity that was already present.

My Honest Impression

Based on your history and photo, I think Botox may have been temporally related to the onset of the problem, but persistent swelling 7 months later is unlikely to be due to Botox still being active. I would be more concerned about chronic eyelid edema, underlying eyelid skin laxity, or another medical or inflammatory cause.

The good news is that persistent eyelid puffiness does not automatically mean you need surgery. Before considering blepharoplasty, I would want to determine whether the fullness is primarily fluid, fat, excess skin, or inflammation, because the treatment approach is very different for each of those causes.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It's difficult to answer your question without more information.  Where was the Botox injected?  Was there any reaction before the two week period?  Did you return to your injector?  Were other things such as allergies ruled out?  I encourage you to visit with your injector to explore your reported swelling.

I injected Botox 7 months ago and after 2 weeks of injections I got swelling eyes and it didn't get better till now (Photo)

Answers (2)

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