Did You Have a “Bad BOTOX®” Experience? Here’s What You Should Know

Unless you’re a trained professional, you probably have no idea where your BOTOX® should be injected. You also probably don’t know how much BOTOX® is too much. For answers to these questions, most of us rely on professionals. 

Is it a normal and temporary response? Do you need to get a touch-up? Does your injector understand how to fix it? 

Today we’re covering how to know what the culprit could be if you don’t get the results you’re looking for. From an inexperienced injector to following post-care instructions, we’ll tell you how you can avoid any mishaps.

Facial Asymmetry

Facial asymmetry is pretty normal – we’re all asymmetrical in some way. Also, we each take to BOTOX® differently. This can lead to a little asymmetry after your first appointment, but it’s nothing an expert can’t resolve.

Many injectors will simply inject in set doses, points, and patterns.  Expert injectors will recognize and attempt to correct existing asymmetry with an understanding of the physics of the facial muscles. They will also know how to make corrections and identify the best pattern for your face for future appointments. That’s how your BOTOX® just keeps getting better and more natural looking. 

Overarching Eyebrows

If your eyebrows look unnatural when you raise them, you could have bad BOTOX®. This could appear as one eyebrow-raising up higher than the other. It could also manifest as the outer edges of your eyebrows rising up but not the middle part of your eyebrows. (Think Spock from Star Trek.)  An expert injector will understand the cause of this and will be able to correct it with a minor touch-up treatment.

A Drooping Eyelid

This BOTOX® mishap, also known as ptosis, occurs when BOTOX® moves from its intended spot into a nearby muscle that controls the eyelid. You may have seen Chicago-based blogger Whitney Buha share her drooping eyelid story with the world back in March of 2021. 

This may be an injector’s mistake, but patients can cause this, too, by not following post-care instructions. So remember – no strenuous activity for 24 hours, and no lying down or leaning forward significantly for 4 hours following BOTOX® injections! 

Frozen Face

First, we want to be clear that there is nothing wrong with a frozen face—if that’s what you want. Some people find this result very desirable, and you’ll get no shade or shame from us. (You do you!)

But for many, a frozen face is not what they want from BOTOX®. Most people want to look natural and to have a softened appearance with fewer wrinkles. One of the most common fears for new BOTOX® patients is having a “frozen” look. This can happen when too much BOTOX® is injected in a specific area.

New Lines and/or New Wrinkles

Once a muscle has been relaxed with BOTOX®, the brain may recruit other muscles that weren’t treated to compensate for the inability of the primary muscle to contract. This is why it’s important to work with an experienced injector who can see when a muscle is overworking and who will adjust your treatment plan. How your injector rebalances treatment areas is highly individualized. 

You Didn’t Notice A Difference Post-Treatment

A great BOTOX® experience gives patients a more youthful, refreshed appearance. If the dose used was too low (below the recommended levels) then patients may not see their desired results.

It’s important to remember that BOTOX® does not immediately take effect. Most patients will start seeing results around 5-7 days, but it can take up to 14 days after treatment for some patients to see the full results.

If you don’t see any results 14 days after getting BOTOX®, you may need a revised treatment plan with your injector. This can also happen if you were sick around the time of the BOTOX® treatment.

The body’s immune response can have an effect on how quickly BOTOX® is metabolized, causing an underwhelming result. 

Why You Need A Good Injector & How to Find One

Simply put, some BOTOX® mishaps mentioned above can be avoided with a great injector. (We say “almost” because everyone’s facial anatomy is different. Sometimes it’s not that your injector did anything wrong, but that slight adjustments need to be made to fit your unique anatomy and response. Adjustments can—and should—be made to correct and/or avoid any issues in the future.)

Here are a few tips on how to find a a good BOTOX® injector:

• Ask to see their credentials. BOTOX® injectors have to be licensed healthcare professionals. This ensures that they know where the nerves, muscles, and arteries are in the face. A good injector will be happy to show you their credentials. 
• They give you a thorough consultation before administering BOTOX®. A great injector will be concerned with your medical history and your desired results, and he/she will ask you to smile/move your face before marking where the BOTOX® will be injected.
• A good injector will use name-brand BOTOX® or Dysport. (There are other variations out there, but they aren’t FDA-approved.)
• They have no problem saying “no” to you. A good medical professional will know when and how to say “no” to you. They will also have zero problem doing so. A good injector will tell you if something you want is unsafe or unattainable. It’s their job to keep you safe and deliver realistic, safe results.
• A good injector will take careful notes on the placement and number of units used in each patient. That way, if you do experience any problems or issues, they’ll know exactly how to address it and prevent it in the future.
• Listen to your gut! If you feel like something is off or the injector isn’t listening to you, leave. A good injector should be someone who makes you comfortable and who earns your trust.

If you’ve got more questions, we’ve got answers. Schedule your free virtual consultation today or book your BOTOX® appointment here!