What does Botox feel like in the forehead? Is there a constant discomfort?

Question

I was told by a friend who got Botox in her forehead that she would never do it again as it felt like something was stuck to her forehead and wouldn't go away. Is this true & is there any constant discomfort? Do you feel anything once procedure is done and even months later? I'm worried that you don't feel normal and that there is this constant discomfort in the forehead. Could you please advise what it feels like and if this is true? Thank you

Kian Karimi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question about Botox to the forehead. Since Botox is injected with a small needle, there is some discomfort associated with the actual injections. This usually subsides minutes after the treatment, although some people report tenderness in the treated areas for several days after the injections. After a Botox treatment, there may be an odd sensation in the first few weeks because you are unable to move the forehead muscle as freely as before the treatment. This sensation can be worsened if too much Botox is injected into the forehead. However, this does resolve and, upon follow up treatments, most patients barely notice it. For more information about Botox treatments, please schedule a consultation with a board-certified specialist who is an experienced injector. Best of luck!

David Hansen, MD · Answer

The only discomfort any patients feel is the little pin pricks of the needle injecting the botox . There is not any pain afterwards at all.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Your friends experience isn't usual. There may be some discomfort with the injection, but that will resolve soon after treatment. Usually with a Botox treatment to the forehead, some movement is still possible. If too high a dose, it can lead to a heavy feeling. See an expert for best outcomes. Best, Dr. Emer

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there, thanks for the questions.  Typically Botox in the forehead does not cause discomfort - other than the needle sticks.  Botox prevents muscles from working at their full capacity - sometimes we paralyze them completely.  The feeling of muscles not working the way they used to can be irritating for some patients, but it is not typically described as discomfort.  If too much Botox is injected into the forehead muscles they can be paralyzed - which is not what should be done.  This would create a feeling of heaviness & the inability to raise the eyebrows which may be described as discomfort.  Be sure to see an experienced injector if you are trying Botox for the first time.  Good luck!Sincerely,Dr. Michelle Spring

Jason Lichtenberger, MD · Answer

The few things to remember about Botox and it's after-effects are:There can be a mild headache in some people for a day or twoThe effects on the muscle take about a week to workBruising is the most common side effect, which is typically small and temporary (about a week at the most)Hope this helps!

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thanks for this question. There's temporary fullness for some patients, a heaviness and even mild headaches. I am not aware of these feelings lasting more than a few days so your friend's experience is rather unusual. I personally have been injected with Dysport and Botox and have never experienced symptoms lasting more than 24 hours.Best wishes, Dr. Aldo

Kristine Romine, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
Neuromodulators (muscle relaxers) like Botox, Dysport or Xeomin help to relax
the muscles and reduce the appearance of fines lines and wrinkles.  Each patient requires a different dose of
neuromodulator injected into the correct muscles for optimal results.  Having too much neuromodulator or incorrectly
placed neuromodulator could cause heaviness. 
Because neuromodulators only treat the motor nerves and not sensory
nerves there should not be any change in sensation.  I would recommend consulting with a board
certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has extensive training and
experience in this field for optimal results as a constant discomfort after
injections is not normal.

Rebecca Gelber, MD · Answer

If someone has too much Botox injected, the forehead can feel heavy, a sensation which usually resolves after 2-3 weeks. With appropriate dosing, there is momentary discomfort at the time the Botox is injected from the needle, but absolutely no further discomfort or abnormal sensation after that.

Victor Chung, MD · Answer

Botox (like Xeomin and Dysport) is a medical injected into target muscles of the face to selectively relax them for fewer/softer wrinkles. When these medications are injected into the forehead to relax the frontalis muscle to smooth the horizontal lines. This is the same muscle that pulls up on the eyebrows. Too much relaxation leads to a heavy sensation and eyebrows that sit lower. I injected very conservatively in the forehead to avoid the heaviness and drooping. Safety comes first.

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

I have never had a patient complain of pain from this injection. Some people feel heavy or "locked in". This is usually something that a person get used to and it is certainly not permanent. I like to dose the forehead lightly, so there still is movement and this phenomenon is less.