My Eye Feels Stiff After Botox. Will This Lead to my Eye Drooping?

Question

I received a botox injection today in the frown lines between my eyebrows & on the bridge of my nose. The only aftercare instruction I received was to avoid strenuous exercise. Around an hour after the injection, I lay down on my right side and took a nap. I awoke w/ stiffness in my right eye & the stiffness has not changed even hours afterwards. After some research, I realized that many doctors advise botox patients to not lie down for 4 hours. Does the stiffness mean my eyes will droop?

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Stiffness you're feeling is probably the Botox relaxing those muscles and usually can last up to 24 hours.  The post care instruction about not lying down for 4 hours is to avoid migration to other areas.  Drooping of the eyelids is one of the Botox side effects that can last for few weeks. I hope this helps.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Jloo.  The reason we suggest that you do not lie down after Botox injections is that we do not want to see the product migrate.  If it were to migrate to a muscle group that was not intended, it would not typically cause stiffness, rather the muscles in the area would be relaxed.

	Because your symptoms were so closely followed by the injections, we doubt these issues are related.  Botox typically takes a couple days before you see the effects.  Good luck.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

After cosmetic Botox injections, it typically takes anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks to set up, and often feels more firm/stiff initially before settling in. Eyelid ptosis or droop can happen when product diffuses down into your eyelid specifically but it's difficult to know what is happening exactly with you. Follow up with your provider for an in-person assessment and rest assured knowing it will wear off.

Sam Goldberger, MD · Answer

Stiffness is often a sign of swelling or hemorrhage.  In general, Botox takes days to work and it paralyzes muscles which would make them "looser".  Unless you swelled and the Botox spread to the upper eyelid because of the swelling, you shouldn't droop.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

The only restriction for Botox is not to rub the area for 4 hours after the injection.  I would recommend using cool compresses for the first few days until the swelling subsides.

My Eye Feels Stiff After Botox. Will This Lead to my Eye Drooping?

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My Eye Feels Stiff After Botox. Will This Lead to my Eye Drooping?

Answers (7)

Answer: My Eye Feels Stiff After Botox. Will This Lead to my Eye Drooping?

Answer: My Eye Feels Stiff After Botox. Will This Lead to my Eye Drooping?

Answer: Stiffness after botox injections

Answer: Stiffness after botox injections

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