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Botox Lip Injections: Side Effects and How to Avoid Complications

Botox cosmetic and dermal filler injections are two of the most popular cosmetic treatments today. They’re a safe and least-invasive alternative to plastic surgery that solves wrinkle problems and enhances your natural look. However, they’re not a completely painless treatment and they can come with aftereffects that a patient may experience for days after the procedure.

So what are the side effects of getting Botox lip injections? As long as it is performed by an experienced and trained injector, a Botox lip flip procedure comes with less serious risks and temporary post-lip injection reactions such as bruising, swelling, minor pain, headaches, nausea, and facial weakness. They go away on their own after a few days and can be remedied by medications and topical treatments.

Say Goodbye To Your Wrinkles and Fine Lines

With just a few simple injections, our providers can erase your wrinkles and fine lines in no time with Botox. Call us today to book your appointment.

The Side Effects of Getting a Botox Lip Flip  

Botox is a cosmetic injectable that is approved by the US FDA for treatments of wrinkle problems like Crow’s feet, fine lines, forehead wrinkles. Many aesthetics today likewise offer Botox injections for lip augmentation.

This procedure is called a lip flip, and it is performed by injecting Botox directly into the orbicularis oris muscle just above the upper lip. It instantly relaxes the said facial muscle so the lip will naturally “flip” or curl outward to achieve the appearance of a fuller lip.

Unlike a lip filler, it doesn’t add volume or change the shape of the mouth and gives a natural pouty look. Likewise, Botox injections to the lip also correct wrinkles surrounding the lip area like nasolabial fold and marionette lines.

Studies show that Botox injections are safe as long as it’s performed under the hands of an expert plastic surgeon. Likewise, most skin clinics and dermatologists today are guided by the safety protocols released by the FDA to assure that a patient receives the best care and cosmetic treatment possible.

Many of the side effects of Botox injection are due to the penetration of the needle under the skin. Some of the minor complications and reactions to the cosmetic injection can include:   

1. Bruising and swelling

Facial swelling is a natural reaction after almost any nonsurgical or surgical procedure that involves putting the skin under the needle. The inflammation of the skin is the body’s response to the trauma in the area while it waits for new tissues and cells to regenerate and heal the injection site.

Bruising and temporary redness are also common after injection of Botox and face fillers. There are hundreds of blood vessels lying beneath the skin. Small injections to the face may hit these tiny blood vessels which can cause bleeding and bruising to occur.

These side effects are mostly visible within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Most of the swelling and bruising should have subsided by the third day of the post-injection. To help reduce the severity of the bruising and lumps, you can apply an ice pack or cold compress on the treated area. Arnica gel can also help heal any wounds and bruises from the injection.

2. Numbness

Numbness is a side effect where you have no sense of feeling or sensation in the lips. Botox comes from botulinum toxin which is a potent substance that acts as a neuromodulator. When injected in the lips or any part of the face, it relaxes the muscles by blocking nerve signals that tell the muscle to contract and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.  

The loss of sensation and temporary facial weakness is a minor reaction that is due to the neurotoxin blocking any sort of signals between the lips and the brain. Likewise, numbness at the injection site may be due to the local anesthetic applied to reduce the pain of the application of the Botox and cosmetic facial fillers. As the body recovers, the numbing sensation will disappear on its own after a few days.  

3. Headache

While Botox can treat chronic migraines, there are instances when injection of the botulinum toxin to the face can also cause mild tension headaches as a temporary side effect. This can happen when there is overtreatment of the injection that causes excess contraction of the facial muscle.

Headaches are most common when getting treatments for forehead lines and wrinkles where the toxin is injected into the muscles in the forehead. Over-the-counter medications and pain relievers can help provide relief from Botox-induced headaches.

4. Nausea

Flu-like symptoms like nausea, cough, sore throat, and runny nose can also be a temporary side effect of cosmetic injectables. They can be a reaction to the anesthesia that was administered before performing Botox and facial filler.

As the anesthesia wears off, some patients report feeling sick or vomiting but it only lasts for a few hours or days after the procedure. Antiemetic prescription drugs and OTC medications like Emetrol and Pepto-Bismol can relieve the discomforting sensation after a cosmetic treatment.

What To Do If You Experience Adverse Reactions to Botox?

Generally, Botox carries minimal risks if the injection is properly administered by a skilled provider. Severe risks and health problems from these procedures are rare and will only arise if the injection was poorly placed or if the toxin has spread beyond the treatment area and has affected nearby muscles and tissues.

So far, there have only been 36 reported cases of serious complications that were related to the cosmetic use of Botox. Adverse reactions were more common among medical applications of Botox and it can be attributed to long-term treatment or underlying conditions.

Unlike an injectable filler that can be treated with hyaluronidase (an enzyme that can break down the hyaluronic acid filler), Botox treatment cannot be reversed. There are cases when you can wait it out and see if the reactions will disappear on its own. However, you should seek immediate medical care or return to your dermatologist if you experience the following adverse effects:

  • Allergic reaction such as itching, hives, difficulty breathing, prolonged swelling or bruising in the face and lips
  • Severe muscle and facial weakness
  • Trouble speaking or swallowing
  • Uncontrollable bladder
  • Vision problems such as dry eyes, irritation or swelling to the eyelids, blurred or double vision
  • Droopy eyelids

Typically, women who are pregnant and breastfeeding are advised against getting Botox procedures. You should also disclose any information and specifics about your health condition to help your surgeon decide whether or not Botox is the right treatment for you.  

Say Goodbye To Your Wrinkles and Fine Lines

With just a few simple injections, our providers can erase your wrinkles and fine lines in no time with Botox. Call us today to book your appointment.

How to Ensure You Get Safe Botox Treatments? 

One cannot emphasize enough that Botox cosmetic procedure is the safest and most effective when done by a trusted and trained provider. This neurotoxin requires to be administered in small doses and needs accuracy and precision when injecting in the lip area.

When looking for the best clinic or professional doctor, there are factors that you should consider such as:

  • Educational background – Understanding of facial anatomy is a knowledge required for most aestheticians. You should look for a doctor who’s had extensive training in cosmetic medicine and has significant practice that is focused on botulinum toxin type injectables.
  • Board-certified – Choosing someone who is board-certified and accredited by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery means that they are highly qualified to perform cosmetic procedures and they can provide the best level of care for Botox and dermal filler patients.
  • Years of practice – An established practitioner has years of successful Botox procedures under their belt. You can ask your friends or your physician for recommendations of aesthetics clinics that have a good reputation. You can also do your own research online and read about clinicians who are known in the field of cosmetics.  
  • Knowledgeable about the latest techniques – It’s also important that your cosmetic surgeon is up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in aesthetics solutions. Having a wide variety of knowledge is helpful during consultation where your dermatologist will suggest possible treatment options to help with your facial issue.
  • Good online reviews – It also helps to find a clinic that has positive reviews from former clients. Patient testimonials provide an insight to the kind of service that they provide and can help you decide whether their clinic is the right fit for you and your needs.

Botox vs Cosmetic Filler for Lip Enhancement 

Injectable dermal filler is another noninvasive cosmetic option that can achieve fuller lips. They make use of a gel-like substance made of collagen or hyaluronic acid to fill in the upper lip to restore volume and improve the shape of the mouth. The most popular HA filler products today are Juvéderm and Restylane.

The procedure of injecting the fillers may take 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of treatment areas. Similar to Botox, minor bruising, redness, and swelling at the injection site are expected. However, dermal filler procedures may have more risks especially if the filler injection was poorly placed. Some of the severe reactions to fillers can include:

  • Infection 
  • Skin lumps or bumps 
  • Allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock 
  • Necrosis or tissue death – This happens when the material is closely placed to a blood vessel. Blockage of the vessels can occur which can lead to pain, skin discoloration, and eventual death of skin tissues.
  • Scarring – Permanent skin scarring may be a result of long-term fillers treatment and may become irreversible. You should only get filler injections as advised by your doctor to avoid this problem. 

Which Cosmetic Solution Is Better for The Lips?

The procedure that you will receive depends on your cosmetic goals. If you want to restore lip volume and enhance the shape of the mouth, dermal fillers can help achieve this look. Meanwhile, if you want a natural subtle enhancement of the lip area that doesn’t change the overall structure of the lips then Botox is the treatment for you.

Botox also has several advantages over other lip enhancement treatments, and these can include:

  • Low-risk and quick procedure
  • No downtime
  • Cheaper than getting fillers
  • Can also target gummy smile problems and smooth vertical lip lines and wrinkles surrounding the mouth

Tips to Get Naturally Plump Lips 

You can enhance the effects of lip injections and maintain naturally plump lips by taking extra care of your skin and practicing good skin care for the lips. Here are some ways you can maintain healthy-looking lips even after Botox and fillers have worn off:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water so your lips will not get chapped or dry easily.
  • Wear lip gloss or balms to keep your lips moisturized even when you are on-the-go.
  • Use sunscreen products whenever you are going outside to protect your face from sun damage. You should also choose lip products that offer sun protection to avoid early signs of lip aging.  
  • Exfoliate the lips with a lip scrub to remove dry skin flakes and maintain its smooth and shiny appearance.
  • Limit drinking through straws to avoid unnecessary puckering of the lips which can cause wrinkles or lines. This is an important aftercare reminder especially after getting Botox or fillers.

Safe Botox Treatments with aNu Aesthetics

When getting Botox, you should prepare yourself for common side effects like swelling, bruising, and mild pain which are all temporary and heals within a few days. To ensure that you have a safe Botox experience, you should find a registered professional to administer the injections.

aNu Aesthetic is a premier aesthetics clinic and wellness that is home to board-certified doctors and trained staff. We are committed to providing only the best cosmetic treatments that guarantee your safety while helping you achieve your best look. Contact us now for a consultation with one of our doctors.

Learn more: A Guide to Getting Botox for Upper Lip Sweating

Say Goodbye To Your Wrinkles and Fine Lines

With just a few simple injections, our providers can erase your wrinkles and fine lines in no time with Botox. Call us today to book your appointment.

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