Botulinum toxin is a widely used injectable in modern medical aesthetics, particularly in minimally invasive procedures. It delivers notable results for facial slimming and wrinkle reduction, gaining popularity among beauty enthusiasts. However, injections often cause the side effect of facial stiffness, leading many to suspect celebrities of cosmetic surgery due to their unnatural expressions.So why does Botox cause facial stiffness?
1. Normal Reaction
Especially after Botox for facial slimming, weakened masseter muscle strength can lead to unnatural facial expressions. This typically begins appearing gradually around 7 days post-injection.
2. Improper Injection Placement
During facial slimming injections, doctors typically target 3-5 precise points on one side of the face to minimize impact on surrounding muscles. Misplaced injections can cause stiff smiles. For wrinkle reduction, stiffness often results from excessive dosage.
3. Excessive Dosage
For masseter injections, approximately 100 units is generally recommended. Men with larger muscles may increase to 200 units, but further escalation is not advised.
Strict dosage control is essential for injections around the eyes, forehead, and glabellar muscles. Overdoing it can cause facial stiffness and potentially lead to drooping eyebrows.
4. Insufficient interval between injections
The effects of Botox injections are temporary, and multiple treatments can enhance results. However, injections administered too close together can easily cause facial stiffness.
The body gradually metabolizes and expels Botox. If facial expressions appear unnatural, it is advisable to wait patiently. As the drug's effects diminish through metabolism, natural expression will gradually return.