Botox side effects - why is this happening and how can I correct it? (Photo)

Question

I’ve been getting Botox for crows feet around my eyes for some time, right away I noticed this line that forms under my eye when I smile. It is worse under one eye than the other. Wondering why this is happening and how to correct it. I don’t get fillers or any other injectables.

Stefan Weiss, MD · Answer

Is the line there only after Botox - and it resolves as the Botox wears off? If so, then it has do with the way the facial muscles are being pulled (or not pulled as the case may be) while relaxed with Botox. There may be ways to adjust the injection sites if it is directly attributable to the botox

Viva Eve Dermatology - New York · Answer

Hi!
This is a great question! It seems as though you may have something called "malar edema." Normally, our muscles contract and push lymphatic fluid and blood throughout our body. When the eye muscle underneath your eyes moves, it is also pushing out excess fluid normally. However, when Botox is injected either too much around the eye, it may cause the muscle to move much less, and cause a buildup of lymphatic fluid underneath your eyes. One thing you may be able to do to help drain excess fluid is to do some gentle facial massaging at home. This should help the line underneath the eye, and as the Botox wears off, this issue should be eliminated completely!
As always, an in-person consultation is required for definitive answers. 
Best,Eleni Sgantzos, PA-C

Botox side effects - why is this happening and how can I correct it? (Photo)

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Botox side effects - why is this happening and how can I correct it? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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