April 18, 2022
Will BOTOX have side effects?
Botox is probably one of the best cosmetic treatments ever since they were first used in 1989. Its reputation became so renowned because of its overall efficacy in reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles and other signs of aging. While Botox is normally used to treat skin conditions, it is also known to treat and address lazy eye, chronic migraines and even overactive bladders.
However, one of the key problems of people when it comes to Botox is its side effects. Some people are worried about Botox because it contains botulinum toxin which can be life threatening. But Botox treatments utilizes small doses of the toxin only and aren’t dangerous at all. Botox injections merely consist of small doses, and not large doses which are life threatening. Nevertheless, there are still people who are afraid of undergoing treatment because there are risks such as headache, crooked smile, drooling and eye dryness.
Luckily, these side effects are normal and they fade away in time according to Dr. Joseph Castallano. He says,
“BOTOX® is temporary so any effects reverse with time. Most side effects of BOTOX tend to be minor and fade quickly (for example, redness or swelling at the injection site). Long-term, there should not be any lasting negative impact. Most people do continue BOTOX every 4 months or so, but there’s no reason you have to. After a couple years of regular treatments, it’s very common to find that your results last longer between visits.”
Additionally, Dr. Daniel Reichner explains that these side effects will not appear if the expert or doctor properly understands the procedure, the anatomy as well as the right dosage. He says,
“Botox injections can cause side effects if not done properly. A good plastic surgeon will start with a lower dose and adjust the dosage to get the desired results. The skill part of injecting Botox is understanding the anatomy of the facials muscle, especially around the eye. It is also critical to inject the right amount of Botox in the right places to avoid side effects. If too much Botox was injected above your eyebrows or if some Botox migrates into the levator palpebrae muscle that elevates the upper eyelid, you will get a lid droop. Your plastic surgeon should examine your eyes to determine if you have a compensated preexisting eyelid ptosis. In this case, Botox in the frontalis will reveal your eyelid ptosis. If there is no preexisting ptosis then Botox can cause paralysis of the levator palpebrae. 0.5% apraclonidine drops have been used to improve a Botox induced eyelid ptosis (~2 mm elevation) by contracting the Mueller muscle inside the eyelid. If you are concerned about the possible side effects from Botox, I recommend that you consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for all plastic surgery on soft tissues around the eye. This includes Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, Eyelid surgery, Browlift and other surgical procedures. Board Certified Plastic Surgeons have over 2 years of comprehensive formal plastic surgery training on the aesthetics, anatomy and function of the soft tissue, muscles and bone around the eye.”
In general, Botox is relatively safe even with the normal side effects that are mild and temporary. However, to properly ensure that your Botox goes well, do go and consult a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who is knowledgeable about Botox.