Facial Drooping After Botox

Question

The overdose of botox has affected my daughters face and looks as if she has had a stroke. Can this be corrected?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Your best option is to allow time for the Botulinum Toxin (Dysport or Botox) effect to dissipate rather than to try another intervention which could aggravate the appearance.

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

While the initial reflex is to suspect the Botox (which may indeed be the cause), it is best to return to your injecting physician for a comprehensive evaluation of other neurological etiologies of your symptoms.  If those are effectively ruled out, then the only treatment is time... Botox will wear out typically after 3-4 months.Good luck.Dr Markarian

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

I would not jump to conclusions that your daughter had an overdose of Botox. You have not described the areas of facial weakness and it could very well be that rather than too much Botox, there was a small amount placed in an inappropriate location which affected a muscle group that wasn't supposed to be treated, or her anatomy is slighlty different than normal and the appropriate location of her injection affected her misplaced muscle (I would guess it would be the former). If there was treatment of the crows feet and the injector treated too far towards the cheekbone and under the eye, then the smile muscles could be affected on that side and her cheek and lip will fall on that side. In this case when she would smile or speak it would look obvious as the other side would elevate but not the side of the Botox.  The similar effect can occur when the bunny lines of the nose are treated too far down on the side of the nose. If the DAO muscle is treated to elevate the corner of the lip, but the injections is done too close to the lip then the other side would lower when opening the mouth but not the treated side. In these cases of asymmetry, the other side can be treated with botox to create an equal relaxed look but function is further impaired.  The result does wear off around three months.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

I am sorry that your daughter has had an unfortunate experience with BOTOX.  At this point in time there is not a remedy for this problem.  The only remedy for excessive effects of BOTOX has to do with droopy upper eyelids in the form of specific eye drops.  In about 4 month all the effects of her BOTOX should be gone.

	Dr. ES

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

This type of facial weakness after a BOTOX treatment are actually quite disabling.  I don't believe that it is reasonable to believe that this will resolve in weeks.  This might be a best case estimate.  However, I have seen the facial weakness last 4 months which is consistent to the length of BOTOX effects.  Even after the worst of weakness begins to improve visually, the facial weakness can cause disabling depression and dysphoria.  I would recommend that you daughter consider psychological support during this period to help proactively manage the emotional consequences of this problem.

	Eventually time will resolve the symptoms and unfortunately there is not way to speed up it resolution.

Facial Drooping After Botox

Answers (9)

Answer: BOTOX gone BAD

Answer: BOTOX gone BAD

Answer: These are very adverse treatment results

Answer: These are very adverse treatment results

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Facial Drooping After Botox

Answers (9)

Answer: BOTOX gone BAD

Answer: BOTOX gone BAD

Answer: These are very adverse treatment results

Answer: These are very adverse treatment results

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.