Many women aspire to achieve a heart-shaped face and a pointed chin. In this society that values a slender physique, not only the body but also the face is expected to be slim. Consequently, many women who have struggled with weight issues turn to facial slimming injections to achieve a slimmer face. However, some report experiencing facial stiffness after the injections, causing concern among others who fear they might face the same issue. In reality, properly administered facial slimming injections should not cause facial stiffness. Post-injection stiffness may be related to the following reasons.
Why does the face feel stiff after facial slimming injections?
1. Excessive dosage
Since the injections target both masseter muscles, there is a prescribed dosage limit. Over-injection can damage the muscles, impairing their biting force and causing facial stiffness.
2. Incorrect injection site
Typically, facial slimming injections utilize botulinum toxin for their effect, which must be injected into the masseter muscle to be effective. If injected into the upper layer of the masseter muscle instead, it can damage facial nerves, causing facial expression stiffness and a series of symptoms such as a crooked mouth or involuntary twitching.
3. Injections too close together
While repeated injections can enhance slimming effects, scheduling them too closely together risks facial stiffness due to excessive dosage. Generally, a minimum interval of three months should be maintained between injections.
What precautions should be taken after facial slimming injections?
Avoid consuming hard foods like beef jerky or walnuts post-injection. Chewing these foods increases masticatory muscle activity, potentially diminishing slimming effects. Refrain from taking medications without medical advice, especially amoxicillin and aspirin.These drugs may interact with botulinum toxin to form antibodies, preventing the injectable substance from acting on muscle tissue and compromising the slimming effect. Additionally, avoid manual massage or heat application for one week post-injection, as these can accelerate toxin absorption, resulting in diminished or failed outcomes. Do not use heat packs to reduce swelling, as while they may alleviate discomfort, they can diminish results, necessitating repeat injections.
Important reminder: Properly administered facial slimming injections should not cause facial stiffness. Most cases of stiffness are related to the doctor's technique. Therefore, exercise caution when selecting a clinic and practitioner. Avoid choosing unlicensed facilities based on advertisements or low prices, as the success and potential risks of the procedure depend entirely on the execution during surgery.