Monday, June 23, 2025

Forehead Botox Gone Wrong: Signs of Bad Injections and How to Avoid It

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Forehead Botox Gone Wrong: Signs of Bad Injections and How to Avoid It

Sign 1: You Didn’t Get the Real Deal

When it comes to neurotoxins, it’s crucial to go to a properly trained expert injector. Beyond that, it’s essential to ask your provider where the neurotoxin is from or do a quick search online if you have doubts. "Ask whether the Botox was purchased directly from Allergan in the United States. This is really the most important question," recommends Troy, MI plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, MD. You can also be proactive by asking your injector to show you the vial before treatment to confirm it’s a genuine product.

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Sign 2: You Went for Too "Good of a Deal"

Dr. Grossman advises to be wary of "specials" that seem too good to be true, because they probably aren’t legit. "Maybe that practitioner isn’t using branded products. (Remember the chiropractor in Florida who sent people to the ICU injecting boot-leg product imported from China?) Discounts are typically a sign that the injectors are using a blanket treatment protocol for everyone."

Sign 3: Your Injector Went with a "Template" for Injections

This one is a little tricky, but there are ways to avoid it. "Neurotoxins, fillers, lasers, and surgery, have a science and an art," says Santa Monica, CA, dermatologist Karyn Grossman, MD. "Unfortunately, many people go to afternoon training courses where they are given a template and learn how to inject to match the template. It works, but it freezes or paralyzes the muscles and doesn’t take into account an individual’s unique features or muscle patterns. Thus, everyone comes out looking frozen and mask-like."

Sign 4: Your Injector Didn’t Take YOU into Account

Another nod to there isn’t a "one-size-all" when it comes to neurotoxins, Dr. Grossman says your injector should be looking at your face, analyzing your muscle movements and strengths. "Is he or she asking you about how you want to look? Is he or she asking the effects or results that you desire? Those are all important questions." Encino, CA plastic surgeon George Sanders, MD also advises the good old "go with who you know" route. "Have your Botox done in an office where you’ve had other procedures. They value you as a patient and would never do anything to harm that relationship, like giving you diluted Botox, etc."

Sign 5: You Don’t Look Natural While Resting—or While Moving

"Not looking natural" is a vague term, but Scottsdale, AZ, facial plastic surgeon Kelly Bomer, MD, breaks it down in regards to neurotoxins: "My definition of ‘Bad Botox’ is a result that looks unnatural at rest or while moving. It is important to ask about retaining natural movement of brow elevation when actively raising the brow and normal cheek elevation when smiling. A common ‘Bad Botox’ result is the ‘Spock Brow,’ where the tail of the brow is unnaturally high and spiked and the medial brow is unnaturally low."

Sign 6: There’s Something Different About Your Brows

In another nod to the brow equation, Dr. Bomer points out that if your lateral brow elevates upon brow raising naturally before Botox Cosmetic, and, if while the forehead is getting injected there are no injections in the forehead over the lateral brow, this will lead to the "Spock Brow." "Not every brow naturally elevates laterally, so not every face requires lateral forehead injection to maintain a natural appearance."

Sign 7: All of a Sudden, You Have a "Mouth Issue"

Dr. Grossman agrees that brows can be a main area that showcase when something isn’t right, as can the mouth. "If your eyebrows have dropped into your eyelashes, you look like you are auditioning for the next Star Trek, or your mouth is drooping, you’ve had ‘Bad Botox.’ These are miserable things that can happen from incorrect or overdosage of neurotoxins. They are not permanent, but can be debilitating while you have them."

Sign 8: You’re Having an Adverse Reaction

Dr. Youn says that any adverse event, allergic reaction, or concerning side effect after Botox—vision changes, increasing pain, increasing swelling, etc.—should prompt you to call your doctor to make sure everything is OK.

Sign 9: You’re Not Seeing a Difference

"There are bad side effects, like the ones listed above, or the Botox just isn’t working [the wrinkles are unchanged a week later] are also signs that what you got may not be what you thought," Dr. Youn adds. But it is important to remember that you may not see a results right away. "Botox takes about seven to 14 days for most people to have the full effect after a Botox injection. In some patients, it can take up to three weeks," Dr. Bomer says.

Sign 10: You Actually Have New Lines Forming

Yes, Dr. Grossman says this one can happen. "When one area is frozen too hard with Botox, you can see new lines forming." The good news: "If your provider has been heavy handed, it will eventually go away. Unfortunately, the heavier the hand, the longer it will take. Also, long-term usage of large amounts of neurotoxins—especially in the upper face—can lead to atrophy of the muscles over time."

Sign 11: You Got Too Much

"I always advise my patients that you can always add to Botox but you can’t take away," Dr. Levine says. "It is better to inject less and return in two weeks for more than put too much to begin with and then need to wait a full three months for the effects to wear off."

Sign 12: You See Wrinkles Just Above Your Eyebrows

Sounds like it doesn’t make much sense, but Phoenix, AZ dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal says this is a skin signal that your injector likely didn’t inject "far out" enough. "I see this all the time! While we are focusing on the muscle in the front of the forehead, we recruit from muscles outside of that area. Neurotoxin in those areas can prevent upper brow wrinkles."

Sign 13: You See Upper Forehead Wrinkles

Likewise, if you see upper forehead crinkles that means your injector likely didn’t inject along the hairline, Dr. Lal explains. "Injecting neurotoxin high up along the hairline can actually provide your face with a good lift. If this area is missed, you will see upper forehead wrinkles!"

How to Correct Bad Injections:

Dr. Lal says his number-one tip is more on the preventative side: "Avoid cheap injections. If it sounds too good to be true, it absolutely is!" But, besides gassing up the old time machine, if you already made your move and need to correct, his best advice is as follows: "Exercise your muscles! This will help you metabolize the neurotoxin faster. If you have heavy eyelids from a heavy hand, consider talking to your injector about getting apraclonidine, which is a medicine that can help stimulate the eyelid muscles to open your eyes wider as the neurotoxin wears off. If you have true drop of one lid—known as ptosis—seek an expert that specializes in tarsal injections. These injections done on the eyelids can help fix a ptotic eye."

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it’s essential to be aware of the signs of bad Botox injections and take preventative measures to avoid them. By doing your research, knowing what result you’re looking for, and explaining your preferences to the injector in detail, you can ensure a natural-looking and effective treatment. Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and prioritize your safety and satisfaction.

FAQs:

Q: What are the signs of bad Botox injections?
A: The signs of bad Botox injections include asymmetry of facial movement, excessive brow elevation, unnatural brow shape, noticeable upper-eyelid hooding, a "frozen" look, and some lines getting smoother and others looking exaggerated.

Q: How can I avoid bad Botox injections?
A: To avoid bad Botox injections, make sure to do your research, know what result you’re looking for, and explain your preferences to the injector in detail. Also, be wary of "specials" that seem too good to be true and avoid cheap injections.

Q: What are the consequences of bad Botox injections?
A: The consequences of bad Botox injections can include adverse reactions, permanent damage, and a loss of natural facial movement. In some cases, bad Botox injections can also lead to a "frozen" look, which can be difficult to correct.

Q: How can I correct bad Botox injections?
A: To correct bad Botox injections, it’s essential to seek the advice of a qualified professional. In some cases, exercise and other non-invasive treatments may be able to help correct the issue. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

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