Droopy Eyelids after Botox

About Botox

Botox is the shortened name for a treatment that is used both medically and cosmetically. Derived from a bacterial strain that is usually more renowned for causing food poisoning, the Botulinum toxin has properties that classify it as a neurotoxin. This means that it targets and attacks nerves. Doctors have been using this property to treat a whole range of conditions since the 1980's. When injected into a targeted muscle, the toxin deactivates the nerve's ability to send signals that instruct the muscle to contract. The frozen muscle may previously have been in spasm, contracting uncontrollably, but once treated the muscle is frozen. This is extremely useful for treating any condition where muscle spasms are creating an issue. The effects of the Botox are not permanent; for most people they wear off between three and six months after treatment, requiring follow-up treatments. The nerves are able to regenerate and overcome the blocking effect of the Botox.

Botox as a Cosmetic Treatment

For facial treatment of lines and wrinkles, doctors have found that freezing the muscle groups responsible for creating them reduces their visibility. Lines are formed by repeated facial movements over time. When coupled with the loss of elasticity and damage caused through aging, these lines become permanent. Once the muscles that pull the lines and wrinkles are unable to move, the skin is allowed to relax. There is an immediate effect on the lines, and the skin is allowed to recover from the constant folding caused by facial movements, improving the overall appearance of lines over time.

The Side Effects of Cosmetic Botox

For nearly all people, a Botox treatment is a problem-free experience. If side effects do happen to occur they are usually relatively minor, needing little or no treatment. Your surgeon should always explain the possibility of side effects before you commence treatment.

The more common effects that are reported through Botox are nausea and flu-like symptoms, chest infection, headache, and eye or forehead drooping.

Less common side effects are usually associated with the injections themselves and include pain and redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding and numbness around the injection sites.

Eyelid Drooping

Drooping occurs because some of the injected Botox migrates into a muscle responsible for holding the eyelids open, called the levator palpebrae superioris.

If you are one of the minority who are unfortunate enough to experience this side effect, you should notice the drooping starting to occur between up to two weeks after the procedure. Any sort of reaction of this nature is extremely rare, although patients should be reliably informed of the possibility of drooping. If you are someone who already has droopy eyelids, it is worth considering that Botox may make the problem worse. One or both eyelids can be affected, and it can last from a few weeks to a few months, but it should not be a permanent side effect.

Prevention and Treatment

By using a qualified and experienced professional, you should be assured that the Botox is administered correctly. Side-effects are more likely to occur due to inexperienced administration of the treatment. Your doctor should take a careful history from you, as side effects are more likely with certain conditions and if you are taking certain medications.

There are a few brands of eye drop treatments that can be used (for example, Alphagan or Phenylephrine). These will stimulate contraction of the upper eyelid, helping to alleviate the drooping. Ultimately though, time is needed for the effects to diminish and the drooping to disappear.