Am I having allergic reaction to Botox, (Zo Medical) or is this normal? (Photos)

Thank you for the provided question and photo.  Your symptoms and the timing don’t seem to correlate with a reaction to your Botox.  I would suggest you discontinue the topical ZO Medical.  You may be having an adverse reaction to the topical product.  It is best to discuss these concerns with your providing physician to further direct a treatment plan.  I hope this helps.

Best,

Dr. Mooty

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and I am sorry to hear of your reaction.  Because you have had Botox in the past this is unlikely a reaction to this but rather a side-effect of your recent skin care initiation.  I would check in with your physician to make sure all is well, and so they can provide you with further reassurance that all is going okay.  Hope this helps.

Thank you for your question! Botox rarely causes any allergies. There are local reactions but not like those in your photos. It's best to stop any regimen (like ZO) that you have recently started. Best of luck! 

Allergic reactions to Botox are extremely rare. While possible, it is far more likely one of the new exfoliator/skin products contained a chemical exposure that caused your reaction. I am curious what timeframe the exfoliator was used in relation to receiving the Botox, and how soon after either the symptoms began. I hope you are feeling better!

Allergic reactions to Botox are very rare.  From your description it sounds as if your skin is reacting to the ZO Medical products.  You may want to stop using the products until you can discuss the situation with your doctor.

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photographs cjean9119. I understand your concern. Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression. When injected into the skin Botox will relax the muscles and smoothen out the overlying wrinkles. The most common areas of treatment are in the upper face. These include the horizontal lines seen on the upper forehead when one raises the brows, the vertical lines seen between the brows when one frowns (frown lines), and the crow's feet seen around the eyes when one smiles.It is difficult to make an assessment without a formal exam in the office where I can view the skin in multiple angles and observe wrinkles formed with facial expression. However, I hope the information provided here is useful.The pivotal studies used 20 units of Botox in the glabella area between the brow to address the frown lines. These studies demonstrated that the peak results are seen 14 days after the treatment and most people enjoy their results for 3-4 months. At that point, a maintenance treatment is recommended. While some people start to see results as early as the next day, it can take two weeks for full results so patience is important. We have our patients return two weeks after their treatment to assess their results via photographs. At that time additional units may be added if necessary.When starting new products, it is normal to have some redness or irritation. The skin will gradually adjust. I recommend that if my patients have such reactions they back off from the products. For example, they can use them every other day instead of every day. Slowly the skin will adjust and they will be able to use the products every day. If I had a patient with the concern described here I would say not to worry and to back down on the products as described above.With any injection, there are risks such as pain, bleeding, bruising, redness, swelling, tenderness, and infection. We take special precautions to minimize these risks such as using a painless technique. We also treat bruises with a laser as early as the next day. Bruises usually resolve within two weeks if untreated. After a laser treatment bruises usually resolve in 1-3 days, but may still take two weeks for full resolution. In addition to these risks, with Botox there is also a risk that the product spreads or diffuses to nearby structures. Spread to nearby muscles can lead to side effects such as the temporary appearance of droopy eyelids or a temporary asymmetric smile.After a Botox treatment, I recommend that my patients avoid heat exposure, alcohol consumption, and strenuous exercise for 24 hours and not lie down flat for four hours. This is because all of these activities may possibly lead to the movement of the product and consequent side effects such as droopy eyelids. Although there have been no definitive studies shown that these actually occur and some physicians do not provide such aftercare instructions, in the absence of data I err on the side of caution and recommend that my patients avoid such activities.Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Sorry to hear of your skin reaction, but from what you describe this is almost certainly a result of the medicated skincare you are applying rather than botox. I would recommend cutting down on the "active" products (retinol based/tretinoin) until the skin settles. 

You may be having an allergic reaction to the active ingredient in the ZO lightening serum.  Hydroquinone is a great lightening agent but some people who are allergic to sulfa based antibiotics can be allergic to hydroquinone.  You may need to go with herbal skin lighteners such as kojic acid and licorice root.  There is some evidence that transexamic acid topically may help lighten hyperpigmentation as well.  Contact your provider and she what he or she suggests.  If you have done well in the past with botox it is unlikely that botox is the culprit.
Hope this is helpful!
Dr. Amy

This is not how Botox allergy manifests itself. If you're concerned you should contact your treating physician. Good luck from New York City

Hello Cjean9119,If you are only reacting where you had the skin care product placed and not where you had your Botox injected, then it would suffice to say your skin is being irritated by the ZoMedical product.  A burning, itchy area is consistent with what is called a contact dermatitis.  I would recommend you stop your skin care product and discuss this with your doctor.I hope this helps and good luck.