Are Botox injections safe, and which symptoms need urgent help?
Botulinum toxin safety depends on the authentic product, indication, dose and practitioner’s expertise. Bruising or temporary local weakness can occur, but treatment is not risk-free. Difficulty swallowing or breathing, or generalised weakness after injection, needs urgent help.
Details
Choose the setting and product carefully
Use a licensed, trained practitioner in a medical setting and ask which product will be injected. Units of different botulinum toxin products are not interchangeable. Counterfeit products or improper handling can cause serious harm.
Before treatment
Disclose neuromuscular disease, swallowing or breathing difficulties, medicines and previous injections. Discuss pregnancy or breastfeeding before an elective cosmetic procedure. Expected benefits, duration and complications should be explained for the specific injection site.
After an injection
Bruising, redness or a temporarily drooping eyelid may occur. Problems speaking, swallowing or breathing require immediate medical attention, including when they begin days later. Keep a record of the product and treatment date for the medical team. Do not try to correct these symptoms with another injection. An authentic product and skilled clinician reduce avoidable risks but cannot remove every possible adverse effect.
Related reading: Is Botox permanent?.