Can BOTOX Treatment Cause Any Side Effects?

Many people are self-conscious about signs of age showing on their faces, and BOTOX is an FDA-approved method for reducing facial wrinkles. A qualified professional can limit how much targeted facial muscles move by safely injecting a small amount of botulinum toxin into them, making them hold the skin tight so existing motion-related wrinkles do not show and new ones do not form. Here’s a quick overview of the potential side effects of BOTOX as well as a few tips for managing them and why this treatment is worth it in the long run.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of BOTOX?

Immediately after receiving BOTOX, you may experience temporary injection-related side effects around the treatment area such as:

• Bleeding or redness at the injection site
• Localized discomfort
• Inflammation
• Tenderness
• Swelling

While it’s unlikely, you may also experience temporary side effects related to the drug itself such as:

• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms
• Dry eye or excessive tearing
• Cockeyed eyebrows or droopy eyelids
• Drooling
• Crooked smile

How Can I Manage the Side Effects of BOTOX?

The effects of BOTOX treatment wear off after a few weeks, meaning that its results and side effects are only temporary. Most patients will need to receive new injections periodically to sustain their desired effects. Much research shows that repeated BOTOX injections do not increase a patient’s risk of experiencing adverse reactions.

Cosmetic BOTOX treatments generally use much lower doses than therapeutic treatments, meaning that cosmetic patients are significantly less likely to experience negative side effects. However, one can reduce this possibility further by waiting longer between treatments.

In some rare cases, the toxin can spread from the treated area to other parts of the body, and symptoms of this problem can begin to show within hours or weeks of receiving the treatment. If you experience issues like muscle weakness, trouble speaking or swallowing, loss of bladder control, or vision or breathing problems, seek immediate medical attention.

BOTOX can be an excellent way to take a few years off your appearance. Consulting with your dentist can help you determine if this treatment is right for you as well as the best ways to manage any potential side effects.

About the Author

Dr. Kinnari Jariwala earned her dental degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry and has completed many hours of continuing education largely focusing on sleep and TMJ medicine. She is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the New Mexico Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Her office in Albuquerque offers sleep apnea treatments, TMJ/TMD treatments, and esthetic treatments such as BOTOX. To schedule your BOTOX consultation, contact her office online or dial (505) 433-2107.