Guest Post by Sally Collins
Botox injections are the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure globally— in 2017, 5.03 million procedures were performed all over the world. Botulinum toxin, or botox, is widely used to control muscle spasms, address severe sweating, and to temporarily smooth wrinkles. While they’re generally safe when administered by experienced doctors, botox injections could lead to some serious side effects, especially around the eye area. If you’re feeling wary about getting these procedures done, read on.
What botox could do to your eyes
Some people report having problems focusing after getting botox injections. While these side effects usually fade away after some time, temporary blurred or double vision can cause nausea and lead to accidents, especially when driving. These vision problems are often caused by dry eyes; because botox injections cause you to not be able to blink as quickly, it often leads to dryness.
Eyelid drooping is also one of the more common botox side effects. This affects up to 3.4 percent of patients, but thankfully, these side effects usually resolve themselves after a few weeks. Usually, this drooping is caused by poor technique, which means that the physician was injecting too deep into the tissue or going beyond the prescribed anatomical margins.
Avoiding botox side effects
First, take a look at the ingredients of botulinum toxin — if you’re allergic to any of them, this treatment obviously isn’t for you. It’s also not a good idea to have the injection on any area of your face that has any type of skin condition. Speak to your doctor about any concerns before getting any botox injections, especially if you have diseases that affect your muscles and nerves, breathing problems, if you’ve previously had facial surgery, or if you plan to get surgery in the future.
Make sure that the doctor giving you your injections is reputable and experienced (i.e. don’t just get injections from a salon). After the procedure, follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions carefully. For example, avoid rubbing your face, exercising, and hot showers. If you observe any side effects — especially those that don’t seem to be going away — let your doctor know right away.
And of course, do your research. Most experts would agree that the risks around getting botox injections are low. However, it’s important that you’re aware of the possible consequences so that you can make an educated decision to take that risk or not.
About the author: Sally Collins is a professional freelance writer with many years experience across many different areas. She made the move to freelancing from a stressful corporate job and loves the work-life balance it offers her. When not at work, Sally enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with her family and travelling as much as possible.
