Botox and similar medications like Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are incredibly popular, non-surgical cosmetic procedures. These injectable neurotoxins are capable of relaxing facial muscles in order to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Although Botox is generally safe when injected by a skilled professional, some patients develop drooping eyelids that cause the face to look asymmetrical.
So what should you do if you get ‘droopy eyes’ from Botox? Drooping eyelids (or ptosis) is an uncommon side effect of Botox. Fortunately, it’s not a permanent one; your eyelids will go back to normal on their own after a few weeks. If you find yourself suffering from droopy eyes after your Botox treatment, it’s best to have it checked by a trusted doctor so they can prescribe eye drops to minimize your discomfort.
The scientific name for eyelid drooping is ptosis (or blepharoptosis). Unlike congenital ptosis -- where the eyelid droop is already present at birth -- droopy eyelids are often acquired after a bad Botox injection.
The Botox cosmetic works through its main ingredient, botulinum toxin, which temporarily paralyzes the muscles in the face. When the muscles are paralyzed, they are unable to contract and form unwanted crows feet, frown lines, smile lines, and forehead wrinkles. However, an inexperienced injector may unintentionally inject excessive Botox too close to the levator palpebrae or frontalis muscles.
The levator muscle is responsible for maintaining the eyelids in their normal position. When Botox is injected around the eyelid, the formula migrates to the levator muscle and leaves it unable to control the eyelid in raising or lowering. Eyelid drooping then occurs, causing a saggy appearance and obstructing vision in severe cases.
On the other hand, Botox injected into the forehead to reduce wrinkles may also migrate to the frontalis muscle, which is responsible for raising the eyebrows. An over-relaxed frontalis muscle can cause the brow to descend, crowding the upper eyelid and creating a droopy eyebrow. In rare cases, the only treatment option for this complication is blepharoplasty, or cosmetic eyelid surgery, to remove redundant eyelid skin.
Droopy eyes are a rare and temporary condition. Although it can be embarrassing in social and professional situations, it’s neither life-threatening nor permanent. As Botox effects are not permanent, the problem usually reverses itself in 3 - 4 months when the Botox wears off.
During this time, however, patients may get muscle weakness in the upper eyelid. Aside from drooping, patients may also have:
Certain medications can be helpful in addressing any side-effects and camouflaging the droop until the Botox effects subside.
Not every Botox patient has to suffer from droopy eyes or a sagging brow. There are ways to prevent this particular side-effect from occurring, such as:
The first and best way to prevent sagging skin developing over your eyes is to visit a board-certified medical expert. All too often, droopy eyes happen because the injector lacks the proper training, experience, and know-how to perform the treatment accurately. They either utilize a too-high dose or inject the Botox in the wrong area.
An experienced injector would have a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy, so they can make educated decisions on the specific locations and depths to inject Botox. Prior to the procedure, a well-trained surgeon would look at the facial muscle movements of the patient to accurately map injection points to the millimeter.
Before the procedure, it’s best to check with your board-certified physician to confirm that the botulinum injections are from a well-known brand name manufacturer. Botox is only manufactured by Allergan, while other quality products are Dysport by Medicis and Xeomin by Merz.
All three products have undergone extensive testing by thousands of doctors and are considered the best in the market. This means they would produce more predictable results compared to no-name, generic botulinum toxin. It’s important to note that even if the injections are performed at the right Botox placement with quality solutions, there is still a very small chance of developing drooping eyelid skin.
Patients who have had previous facial surgery and a history of Bell’s palsy are more likely to develop a droopy eye after neurotoxin wrinkle injections. It’s important to be honest with your doctor about your complete medical history and previous cosmetic treatments, especially those performed within the past few months. Your doctor should also check if you’re taking medication like sleep aids, allergy medicine, blood thinners, or muscle relaxants.
Your age, past sun damage, and other lifestyle factors could also affect your treatment. If there are any conflicts between your medical history and your beauty goals, your doctor may opt to postpone treatment or propose an alternative procedure, like a dermal filler, which may better suit you.
It’s crucial to follow pre-treatment and after-care instructions to prevent complications from occurring. Avoid rubbing or massaging your face for a full day after the injections to help stop the medication from spreading beyond the injected area.
If you suddenly find yourself suffering from eyelid ptosis, it’s important not to panic. It’s not a life-threatening problem and can easily be resolved by a qualified physician. Here are five ways you can treat droopy eyes:
The chances of Botox patients getting a droopy eyelid from the procedure are very small to begin with, so potential patients don’t have much to worry about. The likelihood of developing brow ptosis is even smaller if you’re in the hands of an experienced Botox injector, because no other medical professional knows facial anatomy like a board-certified plastic surgeon does. You can be sure they would have the background and experience that result in the best outcomes for you. A skilled cosmetic surgeon would also be able to help minimize the possibility of developing side-effects, including:
Furthermore, Botox injections are the most popular form of cosmetic surgery worldwide. Millions of treatments are performed yearly and not just for aesthetic reasons either. Botox is an effective, albeit temporary, solution for medical conditions like blepharospasm, hyperhidrosis, and chronic migraines. Whether you’re interested in smoothing out wrinkles or gaining relief from physical discomfort, Botox is definitely something to consider.
Our number one priority at Ethos Spa is to provide every patient with a safe and effective experience. We do this by investing in the most cutting edge technologies, training, and techniques available. With our board-certified surgeon and team of expert medical staff providing their services, you’ll get the results you want with zero complications. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn more.