Botox injections are a popular and relatively safe treatment when administered by an experienced doctor.
Botulinum toxin
is generally considered to be effective and largely free of serious side effects. However, there are two classes of adverse events associated with Botox: transient and benign events, and potentially serious events. This article provides an overview of Botox-related side effects and advice on possible management and prevention strategies. Benign side effects are localized, reversible, self-limiting complications that develop a few days after the injection and usually go away without any treatment.Aesthetic and functional adverse effects are associated with different muscle responses to botulinum toxin or misplacement of the toxin. Serious events are sequelae due to systemic spread of the toxin leading to botulism. Most research has shown that botox injections are safe when given in small doses and by an experienced professional. However, since the main ingredient is a poisonous substance, botulinum toxin, there are potential risks.
Botox
is generally safe when administered by a licensed healthcare provider.Patients should consult their medical team to determine if Botox injections are right for them. This medicine can spread to other parts of the body after the injection and cause serious (possibly fatal) side effects. In the elderly patient, a combination of sagging skin and attenuated orbital septum may further facilitate dissection of injected botulinum toxin. To ensure the safety of their baby, most healthcare providers recommend that breastfeeding mothers avoid Botox injections. In addition to wrinkles, Botox can be used to treat migraines, incontinence and even cervical dystonia (neck and shoulder spasms).
To avoid the accumulation of botulinum toxin in case of treatment failure, a certain interval between successive injections should be observed. Infection is a rare possible complication at the injection site and can occur with any procedure that breaks the skin barrier. Another complication at the injection site is localized pain, which is associated with needle puncture into the skin. For patient compliance and satisfaction, an additional injection of botulinum toxin may be performed into hyperactivated muscles. Keeping all injections outside the limit defined by the infraorbital border and a lateral point 1 cm from the lateral canthus can significantly reduce the risk of ectropion. The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, sometimes referred to as Botox by patients, is an injectable that temporarily reduces or eliminates fine lines and facial wrinkles.
But a recent study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has raised new questions about how Botox works in the body. In addition, there are no serious adverse effects in patients who regularly repeat botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic indications (Table). Because this medication is given to the site of the condition, most side effects occur near the site where the medication is injected. In addition to periorbital complications, other aesthetic side effects associated with botulinum toxin injection for horizontal lines of the forehead are exaggeration of wrinkles, forehead ptosis, “sign of Mephisto” and periorbital edema. The incidence of blepharoptosis is reduced by administering botulinum toxin injections at least 1 cm above the supraorbital ridge in the midline of the pupil when treating corrugator muscles.
After injection, the distal ends of the eyebrows, which are normally placed below the height of the eyebrow contour, are raised so that they are in a higher position compared to the rest of the eyebrow, pointing upwards, forming the sign of Mephisto. In conclusion, Botox injections are generally safe when given in small doses and by an experienced professional. However, since it contains a poisonous substance there are potential risks associated with it. Patients should consult their medical team to determine if Botox injections are right for them.
