Great question and I undestand why this would concern you. Most providers including myself can tell you, in all sincerity, that based on our collective experience and knowledge of how Botox works there should NOT be any numbness. HOWEVER, I have had similar concerns from patients, especially those getting higer doses ( 6-8 units). The patients report on follow-up phone calls that their lips felt numb for week or so then felt normal.My best guess is that these patients are reporting this temporary "sense of numbness" because tiny lip muscles have lost their motor function and tone. Motor function is what Botox targets; Sensory funcion (numbness) is not targeted by Botox. Are your lips a little weaker when drinking thru straw or cup? Are you able to purse your lips with normal strength. Any minor drooling? This I imagine feels weird. I suspect that if you were examined for sensation with mild pin pricks in office (or do at home) there whould be no actual loss of sensitivity but nonetheless feels numb to patients for first week or so.Hope that helps and if not resolved by 2 weeks go for a follow-up visit. Good luck and let us know what happens and when it resolves.Gary Gesuald, MDChattanooga, Tennessee
It iis not coomon but numbness does occur after Botox injection so the best thing to do is to talk with your doctor and see if anything else may be going on
