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Potential Botox side effects and how to manage them

Botox side effects

When considering Botox, you may wonder about the possible side effects – concerns that are completely valid when undergoing elective procedures.

That said, individuals interested in Botox make, on average, 1.1 million search queries on topics ranging from “Is Botox bad for you?” to “Does Botox hurt?” according to Google search data.

For those who have decided to or have already had Botox, Dr. Randa Jaafar, owner of FILD Studio in Manhattan and partner with Certainly Health, explains everything you need to know about potential Botox side effects and how to manage them.

Getting Botox treatment is usually a smooth process with many benefits, but occasionally, there can be a few bumps along the way.

Botox is an FDA-approved cosmetic treatment, and it’s important to note that it’s generally considered a safe procedure. However, as with any kind of medication or medical treatment, you can’t always stop side effects from happening after Botox injections. The following side effects are among the most common: 

  • Injection site reactions
  • Headaches or flu-like symptoms 
  • Crooked eyebrows or smile
  • Ptosis (drooping eyelids) 

How to manage common Botox side effects

Crooked eyebrows or smile

It can be shocking when Botox causes your smile or eyebrows to suddenly look uneven, but try not to panic. Botox is temporary, and so are its side effects, so this unevenness will eventually fade on its own. 

Dr. Randa Jaafar explains: “A crooked eyebrow or smile isn’t actually a side effect, but rather a common occurrence when certain parts of the muscles are not injected with Botox correctly. After Botox takes effect, typically within two weeks, this issue can be easily resolved with a simple touch-up.”

This symptom will likely be mild for most people, so many do nothing and just wait for their Botox to wear off. However, for the rare few who find their features severely unbalanced or those who don’t want to wait, unevenness can usually be corrected with a follow-up appointment with your Botox injector. 

Ptosis (drooping eyelids) 

Ptosis, or droopy eyelids, occur when Botox injected in the forehead or around it, travels into the eyelid. Because Botox is a temporary treatment, drooping eyelids will go away on their own after 4 to 6 weeks. 

Experienced doctors who specialize in administering these injections are precise, down to the millimeter, in avoiding side effects.

Eyelid droop often occurs when the practitioner lacks proper training and sufficient experience. They may inject Botox into the wrong area or use an excessively high dose, resulting in muscle weakness and drooping. This could lead to difficulty fully opening your eyes or vision problems.

If eyelid droop does occur, which is rare, you’ll typically notice signs a few days to a week after receiving the Botox. 

However, if you don’t want to wait for the side effects to wear off, there are two possible options that could alleviate the problem sooner: 

  • Using eye drops, such as apraclonidine (Iopidine) 
  • More Botox, which can contract relaxed muscles if injected in the right place
  •  

Injection site reactions

These reactions may include bleeding, pain, swelling, redness, or bruising and can start to develop several hours after the injection. They typically last no longer than a few days

Using a cold pack and gently applying it to the affected area may help to reduce pain, swelling, or bruising. Also, if it seems to be bleeding a lot, try to remain calm and comfortable, ensuring your heart rate is nice and slow. 

Lastly, avoid rubbing or massaging the area around your injection site, as this could cause the toxin to drift into other areas. 

If these symptoms last longer than expected or become too much to manage, talk to your doctor, who may be able to recommend a pain management treatment plan for you. 

Headaches or flu-like symptoms 

Research has found that individuals who get Botox specifically to treat migraines, axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive armpit sweating), or cervical dystonia (atypical neck muscle contractions) were more likely to experience headaches after the procedure. 

Headaches can typically be relieved using acetaminophen or ibuprofen, available as over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medications. Headaches should go away in a matter of hours; however, sometimes they can last several days. 

Flu symptoms can similarly be treated with OTC medicine; however, just to be sure, confirm with your doctor which medications are safe to take. Caring for your body as you would a regular flu should be helpful: eat healthy, drink plenty of clear fluids, and get tons of rest. 

It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol because it could make these symptoms worse. Also, avoid rubbing or massaging your head, neck, or shoulders if you’ve got Botox in these areas, as this could cause the toxin to spread to other parts of the body.  

Finding the right Botox injector  

When it comes to side effects, there’s often a strong genetic component that influences whether you’ll experience a certain one and, therefore, is unpredictable. Even the best medical professionals can’t guarantee that you’ll totally avoid side effects after your Botox treatment. 

However, it’s still vital that you choose the best provider possible. Under the guidance of experienced and reputable Botox injectors, you can minimize the risk of complications. These providers should:

  • Be legally qualified and experienced in the field of aesthetics. 
  • Prioritize your safety in the decision-making process. 
  • Ensure the procedure is done well to get the aesthetic results you want. 
  • Be an excellent support resource in the unlikely case that there are any issues during recovery. 

New year, New you – So why not renewed skin as well?

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