Trying to find out if I can fix a Botox gone wrong situation?

Question

Had botox for the first time (female, 28) & required a total of 6 units. 4 units in my forehead, 1 unit under the tail of each eyebrow. 3 weeks later it looks like someone is pushing my eyebrows down giving me a hooded look, my right eye looks lazy since my eyebrow is pushing my eyelid down preventing it from opening fully. Went back to the clinic, the doctor said its because she used such a small amount it didn't balance out the muscles properly, which she failed to explain before treatment

Joseph J. Castellano, MD · Answer

So sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with your injections. The good news is that BOTOX® is not permanent, so it will gradually diminish over the next few months, restoring your normal appearance. In the meantime, it may be worth getting a second opinion from an experienced cosmetic surgeon if you feel that you’re not able to communicate effectively with your current doctor. I certainly wouldn’t agree to additional injections from the same practice without getting a detailed explanation from him or her what went wrong in the first place. Best of luck to you!

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

Sometimes
  Botox injections can be placed too low, or too much of the substance has been
  placed in your forehead (this can happen if you have a small forehead) or the
  product has migrated causing the eyelids to droop. In your case, she has
  probably placed too much in one area and less in another, causing asymmetry.
  Iopidine eye drops will be helpful but you may also find that additional
  Botox can be used to treat asymmetry and can work to raise the brow and the
  eyelid (or alternatively, lower the other). Please ensure you visit a
  practitioner with plenty of experience in this technique if you decide to try
  this so you don't leave disappointed again. You may of had a bad experience
  this time resulting in a dropping eye, but this doesn't and won't always happen
  so don't let this deter you. Try to visit another practitioner next time who
  is highly experienced and will know the right doseage as well as the right
  areas to inject to minimise the chances of this happening again. The Botox
  and the drooping effect will wear off gradually within 3-6 months.

Matthew Brace, MD · Answer

I'm sorry you had this outcome. It sounds as if the Botox was injected too close to your eye muscles, but without seeing a photo it is impossible to tell. I would seek out a consult with an experienced injector for a second opinion as there is a chance some correction can be achieved. At worse, you may have to wait 3 months for it to wear off. 
All the best, 
Dr. Brace

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is difficult to answer without pictures. Botox results will resolve in 3-4 months. In the mean time, venus legacy treatments can help soften the hooded result. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Tania Peters, MD · Answer

It sounds as if the Botox placement may have been too low at the brow. Fortunately the Botox will wear off after 3-4 months on average. In the meantime, you could consider discussing eye drops that may help open your right eyelid. Consider having an evaluation by an experienced injector and asking about this option.

Samuel Hetz, MSc, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It sounds like you may have experienced a brow ptosis from your Botox treatment - although it is impossible to confirm without a proper assessment. However, a detailed assessment by your treating physician will be able to determine if there is another cause. Botox can take anywhere from 2-4 months to wear off depending on the dosage and area. Fortunately, 4 units in the forehead is a small amount, which may wear off sooner than later. All the best.

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

It's hard to give you a useful answer without seeing a photo. That being said, a very small dose of Botox was used on your forehead and it would be surprising to me if this caused brow ptosis (drooping) although I guess it is possible if injected close enough to the eyebrows. I recommend you see an experienced injector to determine what is going on. Either way, the Botox will wear off in the next 3-4 months and your eyebrows will return to normal at this point.

Jean M. Casello, MD · Answer

It is difficult to assess what happened without a photo, but given your description it sounds like this is perhaps a dosing/placement issue.  The dose you had is a small amount and it may be that it wasn't enough to give you the results that you wanted.  The doctor should be able to explain to you what is happening and should be able to correct the problem or minimize the effects. You can wait until the botox wears off or seek a 2nd opinion if needed.

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

These doses are very small. I can't see how the eyelid is dropped. I would seek another opinion. If indeed this is eyelid ptosis, time is the only way to cure this. It should get better within 6-8 weeks

Dinesh Maini, MBChB · Answer

Hi There 
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to hear about your very uncommon issue. I have to say though that it is extremely odd that you should have this reaction with the doses you have had.
These doses are very low - such that most of my patients would not notice any effect from the injections you have had.
That said and in the absence of any other issues the back of an electric toothbrush putting some vibration through the muscle helps to recover it quicker. Also just trying to lift your eyebrows several times a day every day will lead to more rapid recovery.
Good Luck
Kind Regards
Dr Dinesh Maini
Zenith Cosmetic Clinics