Common Botox Side Effects to be Aware of Before Your Next Treatment
Who doesn’t want to defy the aging process?
Ever since it was first created in 1989, Botox has been a top choice for those who want to beat aging and look years younger.
But is it safe?
You’ve heard about some Botox gone bad side effects and want to know the facts.
This guide will review the possible Botox side effects, so you can be prepared for your Botox treatment.
Table of Contents
Are There Immediate Side Effects of Botox?
Botox injections are performed by using a tiny, very fine hypodermic needle.
Immediate side effects of Botox can sometimes result from needle trauma to the skin and may include:
Bruising and/or bleeding at the injection site
Inflammation
Localized pain
Tenderness; or
Swelling
These side effects do not always occur and if they do, they usually resolve themselves within just a few days.
When Do Botox Side Effects Go Away?
It depends.
In general, Botox side effects last a few days or weeks, at most. But, ultimately, how long Botox side effects last will vary from person to person.
And side effects can also vary depending on the condition Botox is being used to treat.
If you experience Botox injection side effects that last longer than a few days or weeks or become severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away.
How Long Do Botox Side Effects Last?
Most Botox side effects are temporary and usually resolve themselves within a few days.
However, with some side effects, such as ...
Drooling
Drooping eyelids
Asymmetry
Nausea; and
Constipation
… it may take several weeks for the toxin to wear off and for you to see improvement.
5 Common Short-Term Botox Injection Side Effects
When Botox injections are prepared to FDA standards and performed by an experienced doctor, they are typically safe.
However, you may be wondering, “What are the side effects of Botox and what can they look like?”
Below, we have compiled a list of some of the most common Botox injection side effects.
As with any drug, please contact your doctor immediately if you have a reaction of any kind.
#1: Headache
One potential side effect of Botox treatment is a headache.
Data from clinical trials reveals that a headache is more common among those using Botox to treat the following conditions:
Cervical dystonia (involuntary tightening of the muscles in the neck)
Chronic migraines
Auxiliary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating)
#2: Urinary Retention
Another potential side effect of Botox is urinary retention, or the inability to empty your bladder completely.
Urinary retention was found to be more common in those using Botox to treat:
Urinary incontinence; and
An overactive bladder
Symptoms of urinary retention following Botox usually include:
Difficulty urinating
A burning sensation when urinating
Feeling like you need to urinate frequently
#3: Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Next on the list of potential Botox side effects is an upper respiratory tract infection.
The symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection include:
Runny nose
Scratchy or sore throat
Sneezing
Cough; and/or
Pressure behind your eyes
The incidence of patients getting an upper respiratory tract infection following Botox is more common in individuals being treated for:
Involuntary muscle spasms; or
Cervical dystonia (involuntary tightening of neck muscles)
#4: Injection Site Reaction
Mild side effects at the injection site are fairly common following Botox treatments and may develop regardless of the condition being treated.
Common Botox side effects at the injection site can include:
Pain
Bruising
Bleeding
Tenderness; and/or
Redness
Symptoms may develop a few hours or days following the injection and typically resolve themselves within a week.
#5: Allergic Reaction
As with many other drugs, Botox has the potential of causing an allergic reaction in some individuals.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction following Botox treatment may be mild or severe and can include:
Itching
Rash
Swelling in the lips, eyelids, hands, or feet
Hives
Flushing (warmth, redness, swelling, or discoloration of the skin); and/or
Swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat
An allergic reaction may be serious, so be sure to contact your physician immediately should you experience any of the above symptoms.
Does Botox Cause Long-Term Damage?
It can, but it’s not common.
The FDA reported only 36 cases of adverse effects associated with the cosmetic use of Botox between 1989 and 2003.
Long-term damage from Botox may include:
Muscle atrophy with prolonged use.
Thinning of the skin.
Skin discoloration.
A visible appearance of waviness in the skin over the muscles treated.
Botox Side Effects: Long-Term
Although it is not common, Botox injections may cause long-term side effects.
A 2015 study published by Karger International revealed the presence of long term Botox side effects, including:
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Respiratory compromise
Cervical kyphosis (exaggerated curvature of the neck)
Sarcoidal granulom (the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells, known as granulomas)
Marked bilateral ptosis (drooping eyelid)
Necrotizing fasciitis (an infection that results in the death of areas of soft tissue within the body)
The study found these Botox side effects to be more common after therapeutic use but pointed out that they occasionally could be noticed following cosmetic use.
Other possible long term Botox side effects include:
Urinary retention (Difficulty emptying the bladder)
Corneal ulceration (An open sore on the cornea); and/or
The worsening of any preexisting neurological disorders
Are There Any Permanent Botox Side Effects?
Over time, if Botox is injected repeatedly into the same area of the body, it may cause permanent paralysis of the muscle.
Botox Side Effects FAQs
Below, we’ll take a look at some commonly asked questions regarding the side effects of Botox.
What Are the Negative Effects of Botox?
These can include:
Pain
Swelling
Bruising
Headache
Flu-like symptoms
Droopy eyelid
Vision problems
Drooling
Eye dryness
Excessive tearing
Crooked smile
Muscle weakness
Difficulty speaking
Trouble swallowing
Breathing difficulty
Loss of bladder control
Will I Have Side Effects if I Stop Using Botox?
Stopping Botox injections does not result in any unique side effects.
However, it is possible that as the amount of the Botox drug in your body decreases, the symptoms you were using Botox to treat may make a comeback.
The effects of Botox treatments generally wear off after about 12 weeks, and occasionally this can result in the return of your initial condition.
If you have questions about stopping Botox treatments, please speak with your doctor. They will be able to discuss how stopping treatment may affect your particular condition.
Common Side Effects for Specific Botox Uses
It may seem like a cheaper option to work with someone who is not licensed, but doing so can increase your risk for side effects significantly.
When it comes to Botox reactions, side effects can be minimized by working with a licensed medical professional.
With over 24 years of experience, Barnett Dermatology’s physicians are experts at Botox (and other cosmetic treatments) and can let you know exactly what you might expect both before and after your Botox injections.
Here are a few of the more common Botox side effects when used to treat specific conditions.
Common Botox Side Effects When Used to Treat Migraines
Botox is commonly used to prevent chronic migraine headaches and can be a miracle drug for migraine sufferers.
The American Migraine Foundation promotes using Botox to treat chronic migraines and that just two Botox treatments reduce the number of headache days per month by approximately 50%.
The most common side effects in people using Botox for migraine prevention in clinical trials included:
Neck pain
Muscle stiffness
Muscle weakness
Pain or redness at the injection sites
Drooping eyelids
Common Botox Side Effects When Used to Treat Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is another condition where Botox has made an appearance.
Botox injections are used to treat excessive sweating on a wide variety of areas throughout the body, including:
Underarms
Hands
Feet
Chest
Under the breast
Back
Groin
Head
Face
Nose
The most common Botox side effects reported by individuals who have used Botox to curb excessive sweating include:
A sore throat.
Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, or body aches.
Excessive sweating in other areas of the body
Common Botox Side Effects When Used to Treat Cervical Dystonia
Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis) is a painful condition in which the neck muscles involuntarily contract, causing an individual's head to uncontrollably twist or turn from side to side or tilt forward or backward.
The side effects of using Botox to treat cervical dystonia can include:
Neck pain
Coughing
Pain when swallowing
Upper respiratory tract infection; and/or
Headache
Common Botox Side Effects When Used for Cosmetic Purposes
Most of us are familiar with using Botox injections to get rid of:
Crow's feet
Wrinkles; and
11’s
The potential side effects when Botox is used cosmetically may include:
Drooping or swollen eyelids
Double vision
Eye irritation
Dry eyes
Excessive tearing
Reduced blinking
Increased sensitivity to light; and/or
Uneven eyebrows
Common Botox Side Effects When Used to Treat an Overactive Bladder
You may not be aware that Botox can be used to help treat an overactive bladder.
Side effects that may potentially occur in this situation include:
Urinary tract infection
Fever
Burning or painful urination
Difficulty urinating; and/or
Urinary retention
Explore Barnett Dermatology’s Cosmetic Services
Are you considering Botox or do you have more questions about possible Botox side effects?
If so, the licensed, experienced physicians at Barnett Dermatology can help you understand exactly what to expect during the injection process and recovery period.
And they are happy to answer any questions you may have.
To learn more about Botox injections, call us today for your free consultation.
