Botox
Botox has one of the highest safety records. It’s critical that new patients still understand the possible risks associated with the treatment to make an informed decision. Botulinum toxin type A is the main ingredient in Botox. This is a potent biological agent and can cause adverse effects if not delivered appropriately.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides Botox injections for facial wrinkle reduction to patients in Atlanta, Marietta, Georgia, and surrounding communities.
Side Effects to Watch Out For
Minor side effects are a possibility even though Botox injectables are relatively safe. These include:
- Headache
- Swelling, pain, and bruising
- Chills
- Fever
Few side effects are individual to the area of injection. For instance, if you receive Botox injectable at the eye area, it may lead to:
- Uneven eyebrows
- drooping eyelids
- dry eyes
- excessive tearing
Botox injections around the mouth can cause drooling or a crooked smile. Most side effects don’t take more than a few days to fade away. Drooling, drooping eyelids and asymmetry are caused by the unintentional effects of Botulinum toxin on the muscles. It may take several weeks for these side effects to improve as the toxin would need to wear off.
In rare cases, botulism like symptoms may also develop. You should seek immediate medical attention in the following cases:
- difficulty speaking
- vision problems
- loss of bladder control
- general weakness
- difficulty swallowing
- difficulty breathing
Choose Your Botox Treatment Provider Carefully
Botox should only be ever administered under the express care of a trained provider or doctor. Injections need to be administered precisely for avoiding side effects. Botox therapy can result in dangerous complications if not administered correctly.
Your primary care doctor should be able to refer you to a Botox treatment provider with enough experience to administer the injection. Properly certified and skilled doctors can advise on the procedure.
Preparing for Botox Treatment
You should let your doctor know if you have had any type of Botox injections, sleeping aids, muscle relaxants or allergy medications in the past. You should stop taking blood thinners if it has been prescribed to you to avoid the risk of bruising or bleeding.
Unsuitable Candidates for Botox
People with the following should avoid getting Botox:
- allergic to Botox component
- complications from Botox or any other variant after getting a previous treatment
- untreated skin condition at the target site
- Myasthenia gravis, ALS, Lambert-Eaton syndrome or some other condition
- Bleeding problems
- Asthma or chronic breathing issues
Allergan Inc., manufacturer of Botox advises nursing and pregnant women to avoid the treatment as well.
The Bottom Line
Anyone considering Botox treatments should work with a licensed professional, such as a plastic surgeon. It may be cheaper working with somebody who isn’t licensed. But this could increase the risk of complications.
The effect of botulinum toxin injectables can last for anywhere from 3 to 6 months. You may want to return for maintaining consistent results. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Marietta, Georgia, and nearby areas for Botox injections.
Contact Marietta, Georgia Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta for a Consultation
For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:
Serving patients in and around Marietta, Atlanta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Buckhead, Morningside/Lenox Park, Virginia-Highland, Candler Park, Midtown, Inman Park, Poncey-Highland, Ormewood Park, Georgia and other surrounding areas.