Botox Side Effects are Rare and Usually are Mild

By Philip Frost

9th of December, 2013

Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures on the market, partly because it is one of the safest. Other facial cosmetic procedures are invasive, requiring incisions and implantation.

Botox, however, is injected using a very fine needle. Many patients don’t feel the needle at all, and those that do describe it as similar to an itch or a mosquito bite.

Botox causes very little discomfort as it is injected. Even so, most doctors offer patients a numbing agent to ensure that they don’t feel a thing, but most often, this is an unnecessary step.

Very few people are allergic to Botox because it is heavily purified before it is injected under your skin. The other side effects of Botox are very rare and are not permanent.

This lack of side effects is Botox’s principal advantage over other cosmetic procedures, such as facelifts. If you experience any adverse effects, they naturally will wane as Botox leaves your system.
 

A Majority of Patients Never Experience a Single Side Effect From Botox

A Botox injection is so quick and painless that many people schedule their procedures in between errands. They pop into the office, and because the process doesn’t require sedation, they can drive away and finish the rest of their errands. Few other cosmetic procedures can boast that kind of recovery time.

The official Botox website lists its side effects. If a patient does experience an adverse reaction, it usually comes in the form of small bruises or redness around the injection site, which can be accompanied by a temporary and manageable amount of pain.

In extraordinarily rare cases, patients develop flu-like symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness. If you experience those symptoms, call your doctor, and he or she can further advise you.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons points out that the only serious side effects of Botox that have been recorded occur when Botox spreads from the injection site, leading to problems with swallowing, breathing or speaking. It is important to note, however, that there has been no reported instances of these side effects occurring when Botox is used appropriately, which is why it is so important to find a trustworthy and experienced cosmetic surgeon to administer the drug.

Your Cosmetic Surgeon Can Help You Manage Any Side Effects

When side effects do occur, they generally could have been prevented by taking a few precautions before the injection. For instance, bruising and redness tend to affect patients that are taking medicines that contain ibuprofen or other blood thinners.

Most cosmetic surgeons caution their patients to avoid taking these medications for about one week prior to the procedure. Switching from ibuprofen to Panadol for a week to treat aches and pains can reduce the chances of bruising greatly.

Any discomfort or pain that results from the injection only last a few hours and easily is manageable using Panadol. Cosmetic surgeons also give their patients tips for aftercare. For instance, most advise their patients not to rub or massage the injection sites for at least few days to avoid moving the Botox to another portion of the face.

When administered using the proper dosage, Botox cannot spread to other parts of the body and cause dangerous complications, but rubbing the injection sites can lead to temporary facial weakness or eye drooping.

When it is used as directed, Botox is an extremely effective wrinkle reducer because it works quickly and causes very few side effects. If you have decided to get a Botox injection, make sure to do some research and find a qualified doctor.

Look for someone who is experienced and pursues advanced training regularly. Selecting the right cosmetic surgeon is the best way to prevent adverse side effects.

If you live in Christchurch, consider visiting us at the Face Value Clinic. All of our procedures are conducted by Dr. Philip Frost. He has more than two decades of experience as a general practitioner, and he attends international medical seminars to keep his training up to date. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Frost, Call Us At 03-388-8806 Today!