Botox, what are the truths that most doctors hide from you?

Do you think you find it annoying when people coax you into signing up fancy aesthetic procedures without telling you the actual worst case scenario that may come with it?

So what are the serious side effects that you have been dying to know about botox?
Truthfully, no serious complications

Among the common potential side effects are as below
1. Localized pain, swelling at site of injection
2. numbness over the botox area
3. redness of skin
4. Localized infection (if cleanliness is not strictly compliant)
5. minimal bleeding and bruising around site of injection
6. headache happens temporarily in minority of patient, which ironically botox is used to treat migraine
7. Ptosis (Sinkage) of eyelid or eyebrow, which probably should be listed the first in the list of complications
8. blurring of vision, if the injection is too near the eyes
9. Flu like symptom
10. Mr Spock's eyebrow

Mr Spock's eyebrow

Among the complications listed, you might think what is the big deal except the number 7 and 8. Usually complications can only arisen under the hand of inexperienced/unlicensed performer. But nothing to be worried about as it is easily correctable and the effect is reversed after botox wearing out in 3-4 months or usage of eyedrops


photo shown above is the example of eyelid ptosis, usually happens if the botox is injected slightly lower into the eye muscle region (due to spread of botox or anatomical difference among patients). It can be easily corrected by apraclonidine eyedrops 3 times a day to reverse the tiredness look. Otherwise, the ptosis will resolve itself after 2-3 weeks of persistent usage of eye muscles.

The concern also focus on the potential for Botox to migrate away from the original injection site, sometimes with disastrous consequences. 16 deaths have been attributed to botulinum toxin, although it has been reported that 15 of the 16 deaths were the result of injecting botox at a strength much stronger than that used for cosmetic purposes. So far only 1 death has been linked to Botox cosmetic: a 47-year old woman who died from complications associated with staphyloccus pneumonia seven weeks after a Botox Cosmetic injection.(which i think completely 2 unrelated issues)

The truth is, patients are getting younger too, and not waiting for the age lines to arrive. Brides are getting Botox injections in anticipation of their wedding day. It is no longer enough to look youthful, now, is the need to look perfect.