Common Side Effects Of Botox

Botox is the most common cosmetic procedure in the US, touted as the fountain of youth for those looking to smooth and eliminate wrinkles and fine lines in the face with just a few quick injections. It's paralyizing effect is also used to treat a variety of medical issues, including crossed eyes, bladder issues and to help treat excessive sweating by blocking the chemicals that cause sweat glands to secrete fluid. Botox is even used and as a temporary immobilizing measure for athletes to perform with injuries. But what exactly is Botox, and is it safe?


Botox is a purified form of a deadly toxin called Botulinum Toxin Type A. Owned by the company Allergan, it was sold under the catchier brand name of Botox and was used to treat eye alignment issues. Over time, doctors noticed the vertical lines between their patients’ eyebrows were beginning to disappear. Allergan CEO David E.I. Pyott pushed for more research of Botox’s ability to reduce wrinkles in 1998 and in 2002, Allergan gained FDA approval to market Botox as a product that can reduce the appearance of frown lines. Fast forward to 2013, and Botox sales were nearing the two billion dollar mark, accounting for almost one third of Allergan’s total revenue. That year, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery named Botox America’s fastest-growing cosmetic procedure.

Botulinum toxin injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, primarily the signals that tell the muscles to contract. The effects are temporary, wearing off in about three to six months, causing patients to continually return for more. These near constant treatments are not without their risks and side effects, however.

The Most Common Side Effects of Botox
Swelling or bruising at the injection site
Headache
Dizziness
Mild difficulty swallowing
Respiratory infections
Nausea
Double vision
Increased sensitivity to light
If the injections aren't placed correctly, Botox can spread into surrounding tissues and cause:

Droopy eyelids
Crooked eyebrows
Uneven smile
Dry eyes or excessive tearing
There is also the risk that no matter what your reason for getting a Botox injection, the effect of the botulinum toxin may spread to other parts of the body and cause botulism-like symptoms, including:

Muscle weakness
Blurry vision
Trouble speaking or swallowing
Difficulty breathing
Loss of bladder control
Botox for Joint Injuries
Even if cosmetic procedures aren't your thing, many athletes have used Botox to help treat joint injuries, like tennis elbow and runner’s knee. By paralyzing the muscles around the joint to ease pain, athletes can continue to perform without discomfort. Not only does this just mask the problem, however, but you can cause further, more permanent damage. Remember that pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Simply immobilizing the joint and then performing with it can:

Hinder your performance. If your muscles are paralyzed, your performance will suffer. Your range of motion, strength and coordination will all be compromised.
Injure you further. Paralyzing the muscles in your limbs, however, can decrease performance, which will not only cause your game to suffer, it can set you up for more injury.
Most joint injuries are caused by over use or by overstretching the tendons that surround and support that joint. To address the problem directly, strengthen the muscles and tendons around the joint with targeted resistance exercises.

You can lessen your chance of all of these side effects by doing your research. Find a reputable doctor or health care professional who can show you previous cases patients to prove they have what it takes. You can also completely eliminate your risks by not getting botox in the first place. If you're worried about sagging skin and wrinkles, eat a diet high in Vitamin C, which aids in collagen production to smooth fine lines a wrinkles, and plenty of antioxidants to to fight the free radicals in your system.