Botulinum therapy: how to avoid complications after the procedure

Botulinum therapy is one of the most successful areas of modern cosmetology. Nevertheless, today, even in the professional society, there are many myths around the use of botulinum toxin preparations, in particular regarding possible complications and contraindications to the procedure.

Exclusively for estet-portal.com, a specialist in aesthetic medicine, doctor, professor Benjamin Asher spoke about how common complications are after the botulinum therapy procedure, as well as about contraindications to the introduction of botulinum toxin preparations.

How often complications develop after botulinum therapy

BA: First of all, I want to note that injections of botulinum toxin preparations are associated with a very low risk of complications in general. And those side effects that develop after botulinum toxin therapy are usually temporary and quickly passing.

Thanks to the high level of professional training of professionals working in the field of aesthetic medicine, ptosis of the upper eyelid is now very rare: less than after 1% of procedures.

However, we must always treat the botulinum toxin procedure with a high degree of responsibility and professionalism. Because even the most minimal complications, in our opinion, can bring significant discomfort to the patient.

What are the most common complications of botulinum toxin therapy

BA: Among the most common side effects after the botulinum toxin procedure, pain should be noted. The patient may feel soreness at the injection sites of botulinum toxin preparations for three to eight days after the procedure. However, the elimination of post-procedure pain syndrome in our time is not associated with any difficulties.

I also want to note such a complication after injection of botulinum toxin preparations as eyebrow ptosis. Notice, not the upper eyelid – namely eyebrows.

To achieve a visible result in the correction of forehead wrinkles, it is sufficient to use the smallest doses of botulinum toxin preparations. After all, it is the excessive weakening of the muscles that can lead to a downward shift in the level of the eyebrows.

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Can I develop an allergy to botulinum toxin preparations

BA: No! In my 25 years of experience with botulinum toxin preparations, I have not seen a single allergic reaction to their injections.

But I say this as a specialist who works in the field of aesthetic medicine. After all, we use relatively small doses of botulinum toxin preparations.

If we talk about neurology, where much higher doses are used, then the situation with the formation of immune reactions to the introduction of botulinum toxin is completely different.

But, nevertheless, in aesthetic medicine, allergic reactions to botulinum toxin preparations are not described.

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What are the contraindications to the use of botulinum toxin preparations

B.A.: I would say that, first of all, botulinum therapy is contraindicated for those patients who place too high expectations on it, which we are simply not able to provide yet.

This is a group of very difficult patients who, in most cases, remain dissatisfied with the results of the procedure.

Also, contraindications to botulinum therapy should include such a group of people as pregnant women, as well as women during lactation.

There is no evidence that botulinum toxin preparations can have negative effects in such cases, since no studies have simply been conducted. For ethical reasons, of course.

Global Research: Higher Doses of BOTOX^®

Also, do not inject botulinum toxin preparations to those patients who have an exacerbation of chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

For patients with severe wrinkles, it is very important to explain that botulinum toxin preparations cannot completely eliminate them – only partial effect possible.

Before the botulinum toxin procedure, it is very important to communicate with the patient regarding the compliance of his expectations from the procedure with our professional capabilities.

Thank you for staying with estet-portal.com. Read other interesting articles in the "Experts" section. You may also be interested in: Aspects of the use of botulinum toxin preparations in the correction of frontal wrinkles