Are There Long-Term Side Effects From Botox and is it Safe?

Botulinum toxin was first isolated in the 20s, was first used therapeutically in 1968, and became approved in 1989 for eye issues. It has been used heavily for cosmetic use since 2002, and it was the first aesthetic drug ever approved.  All that is to say...it has a lot of safety data behind it. Recent evidence (coming out this week) proves that botulinum toxin does NOT enter your brain as it's distant cousin tetanus toxin does, which is where that theory came from. 
Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are the 3 botulinum toxins approved for cosmetic use in the US. They all work in the same way, at the presynaptic terminal blocking the release of acetylcholine - making the nerve temporarily unable to communicate with the muscle. It is broken down as a protein in our body with liver metabolism. Effects are temporary, and repeated use serves to take tension off of your skin, relaxing lines and wrinkles.
To ensure you are receiving the highest level of care, seek out a modernly trained, new-school dermatologic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained in one of these "core four" cosmetic specialties. Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery help to identify a highly trained surgeon.

Cameron Chesnut
#realself500 Physician

The product has been used safely in medical treatments for over 30 years including in children at high doses for the treatment of spasticity in cerebral palsy and for spasms of the eyelid and neck muscles spasms. The doses used for cosmetic purposes are very low and with millions of patient treatments each year it has a proven safety track record with no long term side effects to cosmetic doses of this product.

Is Botox safe? 

Botox is used for a variety of cosmetic and non-cosmetic purposes and has been safely used since the early 1990's. In 2002 the FDA approved it for use of frown lines. There have been many clinical trials and over 400 peer-reviewed articles in scientific and medical journals about it's use. Though rare, there can be serous side effects. Some people with certain medical conditions should not use Botox. Additionally, some individuals on certain medications should not have this procedure in case it leads to a drug interaction. It is important to disclose your full medical history and provide a list of medication to your doctor before he begins the procedure.

When administered by an expert medical professional, Botox and all of the neuromodulators like Dysport and Xeomin have been proven to be very safe and effective. Studies have not shown any damaging long-term side effects from Botox. In fact, we were part of a 10 year Botox study proving that twice yearly treatments were not only safe and effectiuve but maintained a youthful appearance over time. To ensure the best results, it is necessary to visit an experienced injector. At my practice in San Diego, we house five of the most world-renowned injectable experts.

Botox has been used for several decades now, and no evidence of meaningful long-term side-effects have been noticed thus far.