Seeing so many “botox went wrong” images going viral on the internet can be unnerving for someone considering getting botox treatment. Botox is FDA approved for both therapeutic/medical and cosmetic use so they are safe if administered correctly. It is mainly all about an expert practitioner who can choose the correct dose for required results and administer the dose correctly. So, it is important to know what can go wrong if you put your trust in the wrong hands. Incorrect botox injections can produce the following bad results:
- Permanent or long-lasting bruising, inflammation, redness, or irritation
- Difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- Change in voice or difficulties with speaking
- Prominent facial asymmetry
- Muscular weakness
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Headaches
- Urinary incontinence
Here, it is important to highlight that when administered in muscles botox is biodegradable, so its effects wear off within five to six months. Thus if you are not left with any permanent bruising or nerve damage even the bad results will fade away over time.
Warning: An overdose of Botox can prove fatal.
This article will share five differences that can cause a good botox result or a bad botox result.
1. Setting up Correct Expectations
First and foremost, it is important to have realistic expectations, as botox is more of a preventive treatment than a corrective treatment. Botox can already relax and smooth lines, if you have already defined lines, folds, and wrinkles, you should consider fillers instead of botox or you can use fillers and botox in combination treatment. An experienced expert practitioner will be better able to guide you on what mode of treatment is better suited for your desired results and how many sessions are required to reach your goal.
2. Quantity vs Quality
Botox comes in standard packaging with the standard quantity, however, cosmetic botox requires less quantity than therapeutic/medical botox, thus it is relatively safer. Less is certainly more, however, many clients feel tempted to use all of the botox they have purchased and spent money on. This can lead to an excessive dose, producing bad results. An expert practitioner will be able to guide the client about what quantity of botox is required to achieve what type of results. Higher doses than required can cause excessive inflammation, a frozen face, elevated blood pressure, headaches, and problems with vision.
3. Correct Administration
As mentioned earlier, if the correct dose is administered correctly, you should get the correct results. However, in the hands of a practitioner that is not certified and experienced, you can end up with serious damages. Firstly, like any other injection, if administered incorrectly, it can cause permanent bruising or nerve damage. A damaged nerve can cause temporary or permanent facial paralysis depending upon the extent and location of the damage. Secondly, botox injections are to be administered intramuscularly, if administered in a blood vessel even accidentally, it will lead to serious medical emergencies and even death.
4. Adverse or Allergic Reactions
After botox, you may experience minor swelling, bruising, or mild pain that will settle on its own with a few hours or 2 to 3 days at maximum. This is normal and to be expected. You can request your doctor to prescribe you some anti-inflammatory painkillers or gently apply ice on the affected area to help relieve the discomfort. If administered correctly you should not experience more than minor discomfort or any serious inflammation or bruising.
Very rarely you can encounter an adverse or allergic reaction to botox. More often than not these reactions are due to some pre-existing underlying condition. This should not be a problem if your doctor is taking a proper medical history and doing an allergic reaction test beforehand. Again an important reason to chose a qualified and experienced practitioner like Dr. Terence Teoh.
5. Number of Sessions
For best results, it is recommended you take smaller doses with repeated administrations, to build upon acquired results or maintain the desired results. It’s best to set smaller goals with more subtle changes, so the transformation feels less drastic and more natural. Most experienced practitioners will recommend follow-up sessions every four to six months.
