BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most popular treatments in the world—and understandably so. It is extremely safe and minimizes wrinkles around the eyes and on the forehead, creating a more youthful and refreshed appearance. But it’s important to choose an experienced injector who understands that sometimes less is more and there is such a thing as too much BOTOX.
So, what are the tell-tale signs that your injector overdid it with the BOTOX? I’ll address that issue in this post.
How Much Is Too Much?
The FDA says the dosage should not exceed 400 units in a 3-month interval. Most aesthetic applications with a reputable, qualified injector won’t come close to that limit. Even treating crow’s feet, frown lines, and horizontal forehead lines altogether is usually less than 100 units.
The cosmetic threshold of too much BOTOX is another matter, though. Too much of this neuromodulator for your treatment area can create unnatural-looking results and other unwanted outcomes.
What Are the Signs You’ve Had Too Much BOTOX?
Here are a few ways to tell if you’ve gone a little overboard with a specific treatment area:
- Frozen face: This is probably the biggest fear of women and men considering BOTOX treatments. They want reduced wrinkles, but they don’t want to compromise their facial expressions.
- Surprised face: This complication causes your eyebrows to be elevated, making you look surprised all the time.
- Droopy and heavy forehead: Patients experience this when an injector is not conservative enough or doesn’t make the injections with the necessary precision. Injections must be precisely placed to get the desired results.
- True eyelid droop: This can occur when too much BOTOX is injected around the eye, affecting the muscles that lift the eyebrow or the muscles that lift the eyelid.
- Lopsided facial features or smile: Experienced injectors assess a patient’s specific facial features before performing BOTOX treatments. They understand one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to injections. When that’s not done, the injections may produce results that look lopsided or otherwise unnatural.
What Happens If You Use BOTOX for Too Long?
Most people can use BOTOX for many years with no issues, but prolonged facial muscle relaxation can eventually lead to muscle atrophy. You might see that as a good thing since it helps keep those wrinkles from deepening. However, you should consider a few potential downsides to very long-term use.
- A flattened or heavy brow
- Muscle weakness
- Skin looks too smooth or waxy
Take a look at the following video to learn more about the risks of too much BOTOX for too long:
Still, BOTOX has been studied for more than 20 years, and serious long-term side effects are rare. The key is to find a skilled, experienced, and qualified injector who puts your safety above all else.
What Does It Take To Become a BOTOX Injector?
Your injector should be a medical professional who is trained in cosmetic injectables and works under a physician’s supervision. You can learn more about Texas regulations relating to cosmetic injections in the Texas Administrative Code.
How Do I Choose a BOTOX Injector?
Finding a well-established provider should be your first step in your facial rejuvenation journey. At our practice, our skilled injectors know how to find the sweet spot that produces results, improving a patient’s appearance but ensuring they still look natural. You can see some examples of their work in our patient before-and-after photos below:
Because BOTOX is so popular among both men and women, just about every salon and spa now offers injections. That’s true for dermal fillers and lip injections, too. Unfortunately, not all injectors have adequate training or experience. This is where problems arise; patients leave looking unnatural—or even cartoonish. These unskilled injectors create the horror stories sometimes associated with BOTOX. Read more about why bargain injectables aren’t safe in our related blog post.
Getting the Results You Want
If you recently had BOTOX injections and aren’t happy with the results, the effects should disappear after about 4 months. If you are considering BOTOX for the first time, or you are unhappy with your current provider, we encourage you to take a look at our photo gallery or request a consultation at our plastic surgery practice in Fort Worth. And in the meantime, you can read what patients have said about us.
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