Can you really get too much Botox? The answer: absolutely.
Have you ever seen a picture of one of your favorite movie stars and thought to yourself, “What happened to their face?” Your heart almost breaks in two when you think about how you used to daydream about becoming Mrs. So-and-So and now you would be terrified to wake up next to that frozen face every single day.
The problem with your former heartthrob is simply too much Botox.
Cosmetic surgery is designed to enhance your natural features, not completely change the way your face looks. Botox is for those fine lines that fan out from the corner of your eyes or the slight creases that you notice between your eyebrows. The right amount of Botox will smooth the skin and erase the effects of aging without turning your face into a frozen mask.
There are two ways that you can get too much Botox. First, there is too much of the serum given at the time of the injection, and second, you do not wait long enough between treatments. Before getting Botox injections, always remember that when it comes to the amount of Botox injected into the treated area, too much of a good thing is possible. Botox needs to be injected by a professional cosmetic surgeon or registered nurse. “Botox Parties” and do-it-yourself treatments that you can buy online are NOT a good idea!
You should also wait at least 3-4 months between injections, but this is not a definitive timeframe. Instead of counting days, you should be checking yourself in the mirror, looking for signs that the Botox is wearing off. Many patients find that their results start to fade around the three-month mark, while some find that the results last for six months, or in some cases, a year. If you do receive too much Botox and your face doesn’t move, you’ll just have to wait for it to wear off. Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix!
Common Results of Too Much Botox
The Arched Eyebrow – This is a fairly common error and results from too much Botox in the forehead, specifically the frontalis muscle, which goes all the way across the forehead and is used to raise the eyebrows. Your eyebrows are raised in a perpetual surprised look or one eyebrow is higher than the other, giving you a “quizzical look” like Spock on Star Trek.
The Eyelid Droop – Too much Botox in the forehead can also cause the forehead to relax more than needed, which causes the eyebrows to droop and feel heavy. If you have some excess eyelid skin (called hooding), then this drooping of the eyebrows makes the eyelids look worse, or more hooded. Many people say the feeling is like not being able to fully open your eyes or like an elephant is sitting on your forehead.
The Frozen Face – The frozen face goes along with the arched eyebrow. With a frozen face, you are unable to show your emotions. Your face never moves, no matter if your sad, angry or happy. The only part of your face that moves is your mouth, and that is only for talking. If you get too much around your mouth, you can end up with a continuous frown or one of those creepy smiles like the Joker on Batman! If you are poker player, then a frozen face may be what you want, but for most people, being able to show expressions is more important.
Facial Droop – It is rare, but possible, to get a lopsided facial droop. It usually occurs when the Botox injected around the lower crow’s feet or eyelid migrates to a muscle that elevates the corner of the lip and parts of the cheek. You may end up with a lopsided smile or one side is drooping while the other is fine.
Whether you’re considering getting the injections for the first time, have been getting them for years, or are thinking of switching from a similar product such as Dysport to Botox, working with a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience injecting Botox will help you avoid any complications or risks that can come with having too much of it. Our board-certified surgeons have years of experience, not only with Botox injections, but with all types of wrinkle reducers. We can help you decide what treatment will work best for you. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation!