If you’ve decided to book in for Botox or dermal filler treatments, you’ll probably have gone through a long and detailed thought process.

You should also have visited an initial consultation with your physician, in order to discuss your objectives, develop a treatment plans and discuss the potential complications that you may experience.

The latter point is particularly important, as you need to understand how potential treatments may affect you before making an informed decision. In this post, we’ll look at the known side effects and complications associated with Botox and dermal filler treatments.

What side effects are associated with these treatments?

Let’s start with a basic assertion: at present there are no clinically proven, long-term side effects of having anti-wrinkle or dermal filler treatments. With the former, the medical credentials of BOTOX® distinguish it as a safe and well-known treatment, having been used in the field of medicine for more than 20 years. Similarly, the Hyaluronic Acid used in dermal fillers is derived from a harmless substance that is found naturally in the human body.

Despite this, there are some slight side effects that are associated with these treatments. You may develop some initial bruising or swelling around the injection sites, for example, while these areas my also be a little sore or tender. These symptoms are unlikely to last for anything longer than 48 hours, while they can also be countered by applying Arnica cream to the afflicted areas and taking paracetamol to relieve any discomfort.

It’s important to note that those who suffer with a blood clotting disorder like Haemophilla are at a slightly higher risk of incurring bruising post-treatment, and this should be explained in depth during your consultation.

There are additional risks associated with anti-wrinkle treatments, particularly as BOTOX® works by temporarily relaxing targeted nerve impulses. In rare instances (and depending on the precise injection site) the substance may impact on nearby muscle groups, causing these to relax for a short period of time. For instance, if you use BOTOX® as a way of treating crows feet, you may find that your eyebrows begin to droop for a brief period after the injection. This will only last for up to two or three weeks, but it’s important to keep this in mind when scheduling in treatment.

In exceptionally rare instances, you may even suffer an allergic reaction to BOTOX®, but those with known allergies will have the opportunity to discuss this during their consultation. The physician will then be able to determine whether or not you’re eligible to receive the treatment.

The last word – Understanding and minimising risk

Ultimately, these potential side effects are exceptionally rare and relatively minor in terms of their impact. However, it’s important that you understand them in detail, as this will help you to make an informed decision in terms and how and when you proceed with treatment.

To learn more about these treatments, please visit our detailed FAQ page. Otherwise, feel free to contact Katie at KG Aesthetics to book your consultation or raise any questions that you may have.