Botox ptosis is a common complication of Botox injections, and it can be a frustrating experience for patients. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the amount of time it takes for the effects of the toxin to wear off, as well as treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms. In this article, we'll discuss what botulinum toxin-induced ptosis is, how to prevent it, and what treatments are available if you experience it. Botox is a type of botulinum toxin that is injected into specific areas of the face to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. When Botox migrates to one or both specific areas, it can cause a droopy eyelid, also known as ptosis.
This occurs as a result of the migration of the toxin to the muscle that elevates the eyelid (levator muscle of the upper eyelid).Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment for botulinum toxin-induced ptosis. Patients suffering from such a complication have to wait several weeks until the effects of the toxin disappear. However, there are ways to reduce this waiting period. Stimulating affected muscles can help reduce the amount of time it takes for Botox to dissolve.
You can do this by exercising the fallen muscle or by electrical stimulation. In addition, when inexperienced Botox practitioners try to smooth out all the forehead lines with Botox and don't understand why those lines are there to begin with, they involuntarily cause the eyebrows to collapse into the eyelid space and make those eyelids look very heavy. It is not really a true ptosis, but it occurs due to decreased frontal muscle function after Botox injection. The best treatment option for these cases is cosmetic eyelid surgery “blepharoplasty” to remove all excess eyelid skin. If ptosis is causing vision restriction, it may be necessary to bandage the forehead or eyelid to remove it from the field of vision. Ask your regular doctor for a referral or find one who is an expert in your condition and how to administer Botox and other neurotoxin treatments.
Before treatment, be sure to tell your doctor if you have received any of these injections in the past 4 months. The most common negative reaction to injections in the face is a drooping eyelid, also called ptosis or blepharoptosis. This case report suggests that apraclonidine may provide a reversal option for doctors and their patients. Apraclonidine eye drops may be prescribed in a dose of 1 to 2 drops three times a day. To avoid ptosis, injections should be done at least 1 cm above the eyebrow and should not cross the midline of the pupil. When injected intradermally rather than intramuscularly when treating the forehead, one study reported a lower incidence of ptosis with no reduction in results. Finally, as a defense mechanism, women with ptosis will unconsciously raise their eyebrows to combat sagging eyelids and improve their field of vision.
It is important to evaluate the patient's anatomy and musculature before treatment, paying special attention to the position of the eyebrows (the anatomical forehead instead of the actual eyebrows, which may have been cosmetically altered) and any pre-treatment asymmetry (approximately 90% of the population has a degree of eyebrow asymmetry).Inform patients to avoid sunbathing, saunas and massages after treatment for at least four hours, as these activities may cause further spread of the toxin. If ptosis persists, it would be wise to consider referral to a doctor who has more experience in this area.
