The Potential Side Effects of Botox
Answered by admin
Botox is one of the most popular and effective treatments for wrinkles, but as with any other medical treatment there is a risk of complications and side effects. The severity of many complications is often directly associated with the skill of the person performing the injection. For this reason, it is imperative that you only have Botox injections performed by a board-certified physician who specializes in facial cosmetic procedures or dermatology.
Redness and swelling – After Botox is injected in your skin, you may experience redness and swelling at the injection site. Any post-Botox redness and swelling is usually temporary, with skin returning back to normal after 15-20 minutes or at most a few hours. To prevent redness and swelling you should request that ice be applied to the face before and after the injection.
Pain at the injection site – This depends on your skin and the skill of the injector. The size of the needle can also influence how much a Botox injection hurts. If you do experience pain, it usually only lasts as long as it takes to inject the Botox into your skin.
Bruising – As the needle is inserted into your facial muscles, it may puncture a blood vessel, causing minor bleeding inside your skin. Bruising is more common when Botox is used to treat wrinkles around the eyes. To minimize the chance of bruising, many physicians will stretch your skin out under bright lights to identify any blood vessels at the injection site in order to avoid those areas when inserting the needle. Bruises from Botox will usually go away on their own after 1-2 weeks.
It’s important to note that the most common side effect of Botox is improvement in wrinkles and lines! While negative side effects can occur, they are generally rare and short-lived and the vast majority of patients undergoing Botox injections are extremely satisfied with their results. If you are worried about Botox complications and side-effects or are interested in a consultation, contact one of the dermatologists at Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists today at (646) 461-8550.