My forehead still feels frozen, face numb & other symptoms after Botox in November, when will this end?

Question

Hi I got Botox in November and my forehead still feels frozen but my wrinkles come back here and there my face also numbs around my forehead side temples and eyes? I also have many other symptoms I’m wondering when will this end

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for describing what you’re experiencing — I can understand why this would feel unsettling, especially when the sensations don’t match what you expected after treatment. Let me walk you through this in a clear and reassuring way.

Botulinum toxin treatments (like Botox) typically begin working within days, peak around 2 weeks, and gradually wear off over about 3–4 months on average, though in some people it can last closer to 5–6 months depending on dose, placement, and individual metabolism. If you were treated in November, you are likely in the late fading phase now — which can sometimes feel uneven.

Here are a few important points:

“Frozen” sensation with returning wrinkles: Muscle activity and sensation do not always return at the same pace. It’s possible for movement to partially return (so you see lines again) while the muscles still feel tight or stiff. That mismatch can create the strange “frozen but wrinkling” feeling you described.

Numbness or altered sensation: True numbness is not a typical long-term effect, but some patients report temporary altered sensation, pressure, or heaviness in the forehead and temple area. This is usually due to muscle relaxation and changes in how the surrounding tissues are being held — not nerve damage. It generally improves gradually.

Temple and eye-area sensations: When the forehead muscles are relaxed, nearby muscles compensate differently. That redistribution of movement can create unusual awareness or fatigue sensations around the temples and eyes.

Other symptoms: If symptoms are widespread, worsening, or include vision changes, eyelid drooping that is new, difficulty speaking, swallowing, or facial weakness beyond the treated area, those should be evaluated promptly. Those are not expected late effects.

In most cases, lingering tightness or odd sensations resolve as the medication fully wears off and the neuromuscular junctions reset. That process is gradual — not a sudden “off switch.”

Anna Avaliani, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms. They are very unusual. Did you report them to Allergan company, the makers of Botox? Did you ask them for their advice? They have a consumer line where you can call and report your symptoms. What did your injector say to you? There is no antidote for neuromodulators on the market but there are medications to treat Botulism. Botox affects the movement of the muscles and never their sensitivity so I cannot understand and explain the numbness sensation.I advise these symptoms to get reported to the company and for you to seek a neurologist evaluation for further work up of your numbness and rule out potential botulism.
Wishing you a speedy resolution.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Long term numbness or feelings of being frozen are not typical with Botox injections.  The product results gradually fade over three to four months.  If you are able to animate (raise your brows, make a frown expression, have crow's feet when you smile, etc) then the product effects are wearing off.  I encourage you to return to your injector for an evaluation.

Kurt Kuhlman, DO · Answer

Your symptoms are not typical of anything related to Botox. See a neurologist to help determine your symptoms

My forehead still feels frozen, face numb & other symptoms after Botox in November, when will this end?

Answers (4)

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