Botox and dysport have been used for many years with very successful results. In the hands of an expert aesthetic dermatologist, the incidence of side effects is very low. However you must be aware of the same before you choose to go ahead.
Botulinum is FDA approved. The risk profile mainly comes into play when the treatment in not taken from a trained aesthetic dermatologist, which is a phenomenon in countries where the treatment is not very highly regulated, like even in the United states, where non-medical practitioners also perform the treatment.
In Mumbai, only medical practitioners are allowed to perform the treatment which helps great deal in lowering the risk profile. That said, you are required to sign a consent form given the unforeseen effects that the molecule can have even in the hands of a trained practitioner. We’ve already shared that pregnant/breastfeeding women and persons with neurological diseases are not considered ideal candidates.
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The possible risks and side effects include:
- Bruising at the injection sites is a possible side effect and resolves itself over 2-3 days in the minimal chances that it occurs, given the thin needle gauge
- Eyelid drooping: This happens rarely. In most instances where it does occur, it happens when after care is not taken properly and the product moves to un-intended areas.
- Headaches: again rare, and usually resolve in 24 to 48 hours when they do occur
- Mild pain or swelling around the injection site
- Crooked smile, drooling, eye dryness or severe tearing are possible, again when the product moves to unintended areas.
- Numbness or weakness in nearby muscles
- Upset stomach is possible
However, we would like to re-iterate that the chances of these risks are minimal in the hands of a trained practitioner. Also, the effects of the treatments last only 4-6 months, so none of this is permanent.