Plastic surgery experts caution that using Type A botulinum toxin for wrinkle reduction may cause side effects. Let's explore these in detail below.
Side effects of Type A botulinum toxin for facial wrinkle reduction are temporary and commonly include: unnatural facial expressions, photophobia, tearing, localized swelling, bruising, numbness at injection sites, headaches, tightness in the forehead, and deepening of wrinkles in adjacent areas.Additionally, changes in eyebrow shape, ptosis (drooping eyelids), eyebrow drooping, mild ectropion (outward turning of the lower eyelid), exposure keratitis, blurred vision, and allergic reactions may occur.
These reactions typically occur 3–5 days post-treatment and generally subside within 2–4 weeks. Adrenaline-containing eye drops may be applied initially to help prevent noticeable temporary ptosis caused by factors like allergies or bleeding.
1. Unnatural facial expressions
Commonly seen in patients treated for crow's feet wrinkles. When injection points are too low or dosage is excessive, the drug affects the zygomaticus major and minor muscles. Patients may feel inability to lift both cheeks when smiling, resulting in an unnatural facial appearance.
2. Photophobia and Tearing
Mostly seen in patients treated for glabellar lines. Reduced frown function post-treatment means the pupil's accommodation and contraction mechanism lacks the support of squinting when moving from shade to sunlight. Sudden light exposure triggers photophobia and tearing.
3. Headache and Forehead Tightness
Mostly seen in patients who habitually raise their eyebrows when speaking or focusing on objects. Sudden suppression of the forehead's upward movement causes significant discomfort, with severe cases experiencing headaches or nausea. Symptoms typically subside within 2-3 weeks post-treatment.
4. Deepening of wrinkles in adjacent areas (especially around the nose)
This occurs in patients treated for crow's feet. Since the orbicularis oculi is a circular muscle, inhibiting contraction in the outer area may cause the inner-lower muscles to compensate with increased activity, leading to more pronounced wrinkles around the nose.
5. Brow shape alteration
This occurs due to asymmetry in injection sites or improper dosage during forehead injections. It is generally resolved with supplemental treatment.
6. Ptosis (Eyelid Drooping)
Occurs when BTX-A injected into the upper eyelid or glabella area migrates downward along the orbital rim and diffuses into the levator palpebrae superioris muscle. Typically appears 2-3 days post-injection. Avoid central upper eyelid injections or excessive needle depth. Ptosis generally resolves within 4-8 weeks.
7. Brow Ptosis
This occurs when treating forehead wrinkles with injections placed too low, less than 1cm from the brow margin, causing complete loss of brow elevation function. In elderly patients, BTX-A may exacerbate existing laxity of the frontalis muscle attachment, also leading to brow ptosis.
The Other Side of Beauty: Beware of Side Effects from Injectable Cosmetic Materials
Injectable wrinkle-reduction procedures have gained popularity among beauty enthusiasts in recent years. However, experts caution that patients should be vigilant about potential side effects from injectable cosmetic materials. Commonly used injectables in clinical practice include Aibei Fu, botulinum toxin, Ivorylane, and hyaluronic acid. Below, experts explain the effects and possible side effects of these four injectable cosmetic materials.
Beauty Injections Turned Disfiguring: Six-Month Nasal Swelling After Hyaluronic Acid Treatment
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Photo Evidence: Netizen's Full Process of Botox Injections for Facial Slimming
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