What Should You Do When You Have A Bad Reaction to Botox for Lips?

There’s no stopping the demand for fuller and youthful lips anytime soon, especially with the advent of different available lip augmentation treatments in the market. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) report that surgical procedure for lips have increased by 84% since 2000, with Botox and dermal filler injections being the popular and effective cosmetic solutions.   

But how can you tell if you’ve gotten bad Botox treatment for a lip injection, and how can you correct them? Botox mistakes can happen due to poorly placed injections or if you’ve received too much of the botulinum toxin. Facial drooping, overfilled or duck lips, and asymmetrical smile are possible effects of a bad Botox injection. Its results cannot be reversed so you have to wait for the injection to wear off before receiving other treatments to fix them.

What Are The Signs of Bad Botox Lip Injections?  

Botox is a well-known cosmetic procedure approved by the FDA for facial wrinkles and fine lines in the skin. It’s made of botulinum toxin which is a strong toxic substance derived from Clostridium botulinum bacteria. It acts as a neuromodulator that relaxes the facial muscle by blocking nerve signals from telling them to contract or move.

As a lip enhancement option, the Botox lip flip procedure requires injections of the toxin to temporarily paralyze the orbicularis oris muscle so the upper lip will unfurl outward to create a subtle volumizing effect to achieve a fuller lip look or correct a gummy smile. Skin bruising and minor swelling at the injection site are common side effects after the procedure, and they usually go away on their own within a few days.

Since it’s a potent toxin, there are adverse risks that can happen if the procedure was done improperly or if the toxin has spread to other parts of the face. To avoid the unwanted consequences of bad lip injections, patients are always advised to have their Botox or filler treatment done by an experienced provider.

Some of the telltale signs that your plastic surgery treatment of Botox or filler injection has gone wrong are: 

• Unnatural or lopsided smile – A lopsided smile occurs when one side of the lips is natural while the other hangs too low or appears frowning. This can happen because of overtreatment of Botox in the mouth and lip area which causes the facial muscles to relax too much and result in one side of the face to pull down or droop.
• Duck lips – Overfilled lips is a sign of too much Botox or lip filler treatments which stretches the tissues beyond the lip line to appear bigger than normal.
• Asymmetrical facial features – Over injection of Botox can sometimes result in a frozen face where you have difficulty moving the lips or certain parts of the face. It can also cause your facial features to look unnatural and disproportionate.
• Droopy eyelid – Drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow can occur for Botox injections done near the eyes.  
• Bulging cheeks – Puffing of the face happens because of too much cheek filler injections. This can make the face look distorted and imbalanced.

And although Botox is an overall safe nonsurgical procedure, it can come with rare severe side effects that also happen because of poor injection placement or incorrect dosage used. You should seek immediate medical help or contact your plastic surgeon if you experience the following adverse effects:

• Allergic reaction such as itching of the skin, hives, and prolonged swelling and bruising
• Facial and muscle weakness
• Difficulty breathing or chest tightness, shortness of breath
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Loss of bladder control
• Dry eyes
• Irritation or eyelid swelling
• Blurred or double vision

Is It Possible to Reverse Botox Treatments?

Among the injectables in the market, Botox cosmetic is the only treatment whose results are irreversible. Unlike temporary fillers and lip implants that fill the gap to add volume or improve lip shape, the injected toxin directly affects the upper lip muscle to provide a subtle enhancement.

Thankfully, the results of Botox lip flip procedures are temporary and can only last for 3 to 4 months. If you experience droopy eyelids, you can get prescription eye drops or small doses of Botox to counteract its effect.

But if you don’t like the outcome of your Botox injection, you shouldn’t have to worry for any permanent damage to your facial features as you only must wait for a few weeks for the toxin to wear off. Usually, it can take at least 8 weeks for Botox lip flip to lose its effects and restore the activity of nerve signals in your lip muscle.

There are suggested activities that can help make Botox wear off faster such as exercising to increase metabolism and increase flow in the blood vessel and massaging of the treated area at least after two weeks after the procedure.

One way to ensure that you don’t get unfavorable results after a Botox procedure is to find an experienced injector. Having a cosmetic surgeon who has received specific training for Botox-type treatments gives high chances for optimal results with minimal risks. You should also look for someone who is board-certified to assure that you will get the best level of patient care.

Botox Alternatives for Fuller Lips 

When you think Botox has left your system, you can return to your plastic surgeon and ask for alternative treatments for lip enhancement. They may suggest one of the following cosmetic options to help achieve a beautiful pout:

• Lip Fillers – This solution literally improves the lip volume, structure, and shape by injecting a hyaluronic acid filler like Juvéderm and Restylane. Some doctors may recommend combining Botox and filler injections especially if your upper and lower lip appear thin and flat.
• Lip Lift – A lip lift is a cosmetic surgery performed to reduce the distance between the nose and upper lip to create a fuller and more defined look of the lip. It’s done under local anesthesia and a portion of the skin is removed after which the top lip is pulled upwards.
• Lip Plumper – This is a beauty product that you can use to attain a fuller and pinkish hue of the lips. They usually contain ingredients or skin irritants like cinnamon, menthol, and peppermint which provides temporary swelling to make the lips look full and alive. They are generally safe for everyday and on-the-go use.

Try Our Cosmetic Solutions for Youthful Lips at aNu Aesthetics

Botox provides desirable results and lets you flaunt your natural beauty and gives you an instant confidence boost. To guarantee a safe and successful Botox experience, you should only get your injections from a qualified clinic like aNu Aesthetics.

As a premier aesthetic clinic and wellness spa in Kansas City, aNu Aesthetics promises a world-class cosmetics experience to achieve your optimal well-being and beauty. Our physicians and staff are all trained in administering injectables so you will come out of the clinic with the best version of yourself. Schedule a consultation now to know how you will benefit from our products and services.