Botox contraindications and consequences

When going for anti-aging procedures, it is worth learning more about the drug Botox and contraindications to its administration. The list of unambiguous restrictions is not extensive. There are several more temporary bans. But it’s better to wait than to waste time and money on restoring health and attractiveness after an unsuccessful procedure.

It is important to familiarize yourself with the possible side effects of injections. In most cases, they are associated with improper rehabilitation and violation of doctor’s instructions.

Who should not inject Botox - the most important contraindications

All contraindications to Botox are divided into absolute and relative. The first means a permanent ban on injections and you need to look for alternative methods of rejuvenation. The second is time restrictions.

Absolute contraindications

These include:

1. Myastic syndrome.
2. Myapsia.
3. Severe gravitational ptosis.
4. I'm herniating my eyelids.
5. Allergy to the components of the composition.
6. Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
7. Oncological diseases.

Myasthenia gravis is a disease that leads to disorders of neuromuscular conduction. The effect of Botox injections can aggravate its course and lead to paralysis. This will lead to ptosis, facial asymmetry, drooping eyelids or eyebrows. Side effects will be irreversible.

Serious vision problems - farsightedness, myopia - impose a complete ban on injections in the eye area. Since they can significantly impair vision. But well-executed injections in minimal doses in the forehead area or to eliminate purse-string wrinkles are acceptable after consulting an ophthalmologist.

Severe gravitational ptosis. After the age of 60, when the tissues are very sagging, Botox injections worsen the situation. Due to muscle relaxation, the clarity of the facial oval is lost even more, and the tissues become more swollen.

With a hernia of the eyelids, botulinum toxin type A increases symptoms. The bags under the eyes are likely to increase. This restriction applies to crow's feet. Injections into other areas are permitted.

Oncology does not always impose a complete ban on Botox. Much depends on the stage and treatment received. When using chemotherapy or taking a large number of medications, Botox is definitely prohibited.

In the early stages or in remission, after consultation with the attending physician, the drug can be administered in minimal doses. The patient must understand all the risks and weigh the benefits and possible harms.

Allergic reactions to both the active substance and auxiliary components, especially proteins, impose a complete ban on anti-aging injections. The risk of anaphylactic shock or death is high.

Pregnancy and lactation

There are no comprehensive studies on the dangers of Botox for a fetus or infant. But there is a risk of such. Therefore, in order to avoid serious consequences, cosmetologists refuse injections to pregnant and lactating women.

The use of any drug while carrying or feeding a child is assessed based on its potential benefit to the mother. If treatment is necessary because a woman’s life and health is at risk, medications are used. If there are no such risks, then the drug is abandoned.

Beauty injections can always be done after childbirth or completion of breastfeeding, so no doctor will take risks and exclude possible negative consequences for the child.

Attention! It is often believed that menstruation is a contraindication to Botox. But this is a misconception. There is no evidence of incompatibility between the procedure and this physiological process. But if you have any prejudices about this, it is better to wait until the bleeding is over.

Relative contraindications to Botox

These include the following conditions:

1. Inflammatory processes in the body.
2. Infectious diseases.
3. Dermatological diseases.
4. Plastic or other facial surgery.
5. Drinking alcohol 48 hours before the procedure.

Various inflammatory processes in the body can be aggravated by botulinum toxin. Therefore, it is important to wait for complete recovery or remission of the disease. Such conditions include a cold, and it is also worth postponing Botox injections.

Since infectious diseases are treated with antibiotics, and some of them are incompatible with botulinum toxin, it is better to temporarily abandon anti-aging procedures.

Plastic surgery or thread lifting are incompatible with injections. After they are completed, complete recovery must occur and only then can Botox be used.

The following dermatological diseases are temporary contraindications:

1. herpes;
2. erysipelas;
3. barley;
4. rosacea;
5. psoriasis;
6. dermatitis of various etiologies;
7. acne.

The admissibility of injections can be assessed by a doctor during examination. The drug is administered in the absence of damage and inflammation on the skin. But, for example, with acne on the forehead, it is acceptable to use Botox in other areas.

Botox and ARVI

Separately, it is worth noting that acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections do not require Botox injections. This is due to the fact that during the administration of the drug, a fever may occur, which will worsen the already not the best state of health. It's better to play it safe and wait a few days until recovery.

Botox for colds, especially those accompanied by high fever, is not recommended. Increased body temperature causes blood vessels to dilate. This may interfere with the “installation” of the drug. Also, because of this, the substance can move to other muscles that were not intended to be immobilized. This will lead to side effects such as drooping eyebrows.

A runny nose in itself is not a contraindication to Botox, but if you have a cold or acute respiratory viral infection, injections should be avoided. It is better to play it safe and speed up your recovery than to minimize the consequences of an unsuccessful procedure.

What other restrictions are there?

In diabetes mellitus there are no direct restrictions on manipulation, but the effect of the active substance on blood sugar levels has not been studied. Therefore, the patient needs additional consultation with an endocrinologist. After injections, you need to carefully monitor your blood glucose levels.

Fluctuations in blood pressure due to hypertension or hypotension can lead to improper redistribution of Botox. It is better to refrain from anti-aging injections and replace them with hardware procedures.

Botox should be used with caution if you have multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis. The tendency to form keloid tissue may also limit the use of the drug.

How does Botox affect a person?

The active substance of the drug, botulinum toxin type A, is a powerful poison. It is produced by Clostr bacteria >But the substance used in medicine and cosmetology is produced in laboratory conditions. It goes through several stages of sedum. Therefore, in properly selected doses it cannot cause harm to health.

Botox for the face is safe, except in cases of contraindications.

A substance injected into a muscle blocks its nerve endings. Which leads to long-term, sustainable relaxation.

The skin is not deformed due to facial expressions, wrinkles and creases are smoothed out. A woman loses the habit of “using” immobilized muscles.

In medicine, the drug is used in the complex therapy of cerebral palsy to relieve muscle spasms. For the treatment of strabismus, torticollis, and other diseases.

Excessive sweating – hyperhidrosis – can also be successfully treated with Botox. The drug is administered into the armpits, palms, and feet.

The mechanism of action of Botox is described in the video:

Possible complications after the procedure

Negative consequences after Botox occur when the doctor’s recommendations for rehabilitation are not followed, or when the drug is administered incorrectly. Sometimes for the first few days you may experience discomfort at the injection sites and mild headaches.

Complications after rejuvenation may be as follows:

1. swelling;
2. hematomas;
3. numbness;
4. facial asymmetry;
5. drooping eyebrows;
6. spasms of the eyelids;
7. immobilization of the upper lip;
8. inflammation when the sterility of the procedure is violated.

In women with active facial expressions, wrinkles may appear in other areas of the face. Since the functions of “relaxed” muscles are partially taken over by others.

The substance is eliminated from the body in 4–9 months, depending on the drug, which makes side effects reversible. But this does not mean that you can be negligent about contraindications after Botox injections.

Compliance with rehabilitation rules is important for proper distribution of the drug.

How to avoid complications after Botox procedures

The limitations of the first hours and days after the Botox rejuvenation procedure are due to the fact that the substance takes time to “fix” and begin to act.

Therefore, it is forbidden to bend low or throw your head back for the first 4-6 hours. You can't lie down for about the same amount of time.

You cannot touch your face, much less massage it, for the first two days. Decorative and caring cosmetics are prohibited.

You should also abstain from active physical activity - fitness, swimming, jogging, sex. The ban lasts for several days.

Saunas, steam baths, solariums, and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight are contraindicated in the first week. Do not take a hot bath or blow dry your hair. Any contact with hot air and water is prohibited.

Do not rush to do hardware peelings and cleansing after Botox; they are also on the list of contraindications. Procedures are allowed after three or four weeks.

You need to abstain from alcohol for a week or two, and from long flights.

For the first week, cosmetologists recommend sleeping only on your back.

Botox injections are incompatible with taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and painkillers; check contraindications with your doctor in advance.

Compatibility with other drugs

Taking certain medications may affect the effect after anti-aging injections. So, if 21-14 days before the procedure the patient took medications containing ibuprofen or aspirin, there is a high probability of hematomas. Therefore, in consultation with your doctor, it is necessary to stop taking blood thinning medications.

You will have to wait about a month if you were taking antidepressants, drugs that affect neuromuscular activity. Medicines that increase calcium levels in cell membranes. Some antibiotics increase the toxicity of Botox.

At a preliminary consultation with a cosmetologist, it is better to tell about all the medications you are taking or manipulations being performed. This way you will protect yourself from the unwanted consequences of rejuvenation.

Important! Botox injections will be contraindicated if less than a month has passed since laser or ultrasound peeling. Dermabrasion is also a reason to wait with injections.

Recommendations from experts

If in a particular case Botox injections have a large number of contraindications, the cosmetologist will select alternative rejuvenation methods. In case of relative contraindications, experts advise not to rush and wait a while.

An alternative to Botox is mesotherapy, injection of fillers, and thread facelift. When choosing a procedure, it is necessary to take into account the presence of restrictions on them.

A new product in cosmetology, nano-Botox can also become a replacement for injections. In this case, a special composition in the form of a mask is applied to the face; its principle of action differs from injections.

Botox procedure from a dermatocosmetologist:

Advice! Experts recommend not to rush to inject into several areas at once. Since the risk of the so-called wax face is high.

Conclusion

No matter how much you want to look younger and fresher, you should not ignore contraindications to injections. Ignoring them can lead to disastrous consequences, especially in the case of Botox.

Beauty injections are becoming increasingly popular. Women are no longer afraid of side effects from them and are increasingly coming to beauty salons in order to quickly get rid of wrinkles. Indeed, most modern drugs are relatively safe. But there are still contraindications to Botox and they should not be ignored under any circumstances!

What it is?

“Botox” today is no longer just the name of a specific drug, but a common noun for all products intended for injection correction and prevention of facial wrinkles. They are united by an active ingredient: neurotoxin type A, which is produced by bacteria that cause a serious disease - botulism.

In fact, it is a strong poison that affects the central nervous system in large doses, blocking the transmission of impulses to the muscles. In case of poisoning, paralysis occurs and even death from cardiac or respiratory arrest is possible. But for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes, purified and weakened strains are used, administered intramuscularly in microdoses.

Appearing on the market about 30 years ago, Botox quickly became super popular. And over time, many of its analogues appeared - more or less high-quality and effective.

The widespread use of drugs has created the illusion among women that they are completely safe. But this opinion is wrong. Botulinum toxin was and remains a poison that must be used thoughtfully and with the utmost caution.

Contraindications

The entire rather long list of contraindications to drugs containing botulinum toxin can be divided into two large groups: categorical and relative. The first prohibit the procedure once and for all. The latter allow it to be done some time after certain external or internal factors cease to influence.

Categorical

Strict contraindications mainly include various chronic and systemic diseases. Botox injections are not given for:

1. insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;
2. oncological and autoimmune diseases;
3. serious endocrine disorders;
4. cardiovascular problems;
5. high myopia;
6. liver and kidney failure;
7. hemophilia and other blood diseases;
8. pathological fear of syringes;
9. epilepsy and severe mental disorders;
10. myasthenia gravis (congenital muscle weakness);
11. moles and nevi in ​​the injection area;
12. age-related muscle ptosis;
13. tendency to form keloid scars;
14. chronic alcoholism and drug addiction;
15. individual intolerance to the drug.

In this case, injections can cause severe side effects and a sharp deterioration in the patient’s condition. Sometimes, passionately wanting to improve their own appearance, clients try to hide the presence of serious health problems from the cosmetologist. This should not be done under any circumstances - a good doctor will always suggest an alternative method of rejuvenation that will not harm.

There are also age restrictions. Botox injections are only allowed for medical reasons in patients under 18 years of age. In order to prevent wrinkles, it is recommended to start using it from about 30 years of age.

After sixty, this method should be abandoned - the body’s defenses are reduced and it is extremely undesirable to introduce toxins into it, even in microdoses.

Relative

There are also a number of situations when Botox injections will have to be postponed for a more or less long period. They are not recommended for:

1. severely weakened immunity;
2. hernias and swelling under the eyes;
3. exacerbation of chronic diseases;
4. elevated body temperature;
5. severe cough and runny nose;
6. active viruses and infections;
7. violation of the integrity of the skin;
8. inflamed or purulent acne;
9. recovery after plastic surgery.

Cosmetologists try not to give beauty injections during menstruation. They are not a direct contraindication to Botox for the face, however, the sensitivity of the skin during this period increases and the pain will be much stronger. In addition, the likelihood of hematoma formation and severe swelling after injections increases.

Birth of a child

There is still ongoing debate about whether Botox can be administered during pregnancy. Experts clearly say no. But women continue to assure each other that it is completely safe. This is also taken advantage of by unscrupulous advertisers who insist that the harmful effects of Botox on the fetus or the body of the expectant mother have not been scientifically proven.

Naturally, no one will allow such clinical studies on pregnant women. But such experiments were carried out on animals, and the number of miscarriages and babies with congenital defects in the group exposed to Botox injections was significantly higher than in the control group. Would you risk experimenting on yourself and your unborn child?

When planning a pregnancy, doctors recommend stopping all injection procedures three months before stopping contraceptives. At the very least, within a month! And you can return to such procedures six months after giving birth or two months after stopping breastfeeding, if it lasted longer.

Side effects

On the first day after administration of the drug (especially if this has never been done before), most patients feel discomfort.

Swelling often appears after Botox, pain and redness remain at the puncture sites, and there may be symptoms such as headache, nausea, double vision, weakness, and drowsiness. These are signs of mild intoxication, which disappear on their own on the second day.

If Botox is administered incorrectly or overdose, quite unpleasant side effects and complications occur:

1. formation of hematomas;
2. long-lasting swelling;
3. soft tissue necrosis;
4. facial asymmetry;
5. ptosis of eyebrows and/or eyelids;
6. muscle spasms;
7. violations of facial expressions.

Injections given to the wrong muscles can lead to the formation of new facial wrinkles. An overdose or use of a low-quality drug can lead to serious poisoning with vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and rapid weight loss. Sometimes urgent medical attention is needed to eliminate these problems.

This is why you should never inject yourself with Botox yourself! Not only that, to carry out the procedure correctly, you need to thoroughly know the anatomy of the face and understand at what depth to inject the drug. You also need to buy a high-quality certified product. And trusted manufacturers do not sell it over the Internet to everyone - they prefer to deal only with certified cosmetologists who have undergone special training.

After injections

To avoid negative consequences and extend the life of the drug, after Botox injections it is very important to follow these recommendations for a week:

1. do not actively engage in sports;
2. do not touch your face unnecessarily with your hands;
3. do not do massage and electrical procedures;
4. do not visit the sauna and solarium;
5. do not sleep on your stomach with your face in the pillow;
6. do not tilt your head forward for a long time;
7. do not do chemical or mechanical peels;
8. do not take hot baths or showers;
9. do not steam your face, do not go to the sauna.

When correcting nasolabial folds and/or chin, you will have to temporarily give up seeds, nuts and too hard foods and postpone your visit to the dentist for a couple of weeks. It is advisable to quit smoking, especially if Botox was injected into the lips - nicotine quickly neutralizes the effects of the drug and accelerates skin aging.

Botox is not compatible with alcohol. It should not be taken at least a day before and a week after injections.

If alcohol was consumed regularly, it may take longer to remove it from the body - from several days to two weeks. Even a small amount of it in the blood after an injection can provoke extremely negative consequences from the nervous system.

Summing up

According to reviews from most patients, when administered correctly, Botox gives excellent results: it quickly smooths out wrinkles between the eyebrows and crow's feet, reduces the depth of nasolabial folds, and helps correct the shape of the face. Negative consequences from its use arise mainly due to the unprofessionalism of cosmetologists, which is why it is so important to find your own specialist.

Although Botox drugs are not addictive in the classical sense, many people become seriously psychologically dependent on them. The effect can last up to 12 months at best, but usually half that time. By this time, a person has managed to get used to the smoothed skin on his face and is not ready to come to terms with such a loss. This should be taken into account by patients who are emotional and very concerned about their appearance.

The results of successful and unsuccessful use of Botox can be seen in numerous posted photos. Since there are a lot of bad examples, discussions about the appropriateness and justification of such injections do not subside. Recently, among the opinions about Botox, pros and cons, its supporters still prevail. Maybe this is already an addictive effect?

Sooner or later, wrinkles appear on every woman’s face, which is due to inevitable age-related changes in the skin. However, you should not despair about this, since modern cosmetology offers many techniques of varying complexity, effectiveness and cost for facial rejuvenation. Particularly popular among them are the so-called “beauty injections,” the essence of which is to inject botulinum toxin (Botox) into certain facial muscles, blocking their activity. Before undertaking such a procedure, it is important to find out the contraindications and all possible negative consequences.

Content:

1. The effect of Botox on the body

1. How does Botox work?
2. When to use

The effect of Botox on the body

Botulinum toxin, or botulinum toxin, is produced during the life of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum and is one of the most toxic substances. When it enters the human body, severe toxic damage (botulism) occurs to the nervous system, mainly the spinal cord and medulla oblongata, disruption of muscle innervation, and development of acute respiratory failure. If you do not seek medical help in a timely manner, there is a high probability of death.

How does Botox work?

Botulinum toxin preparations used in cosmetology and medicine (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin) contain highly purified and weakened botulinum toxin type A, the local use of which in strictly controlled therapeutic doses is not dangerous. Despite the fears of many people, they do not cause addiction or muscle atrophy and do not have a systemic effect on the body.

Injecting small doses of botulinum toxin into a muscle causes temporary paralysis or permanent relaxation by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to muscle fibers. As a result, wrinkles formed due to the work of facial muscles are smoothed out. About six months later, after Botox is removed from the body and muscle functions are completely restored, the woman already gains the ability to control her facial expressions. She loses the habit of actively using the muscles into which the drug was injected (furrowing her eyebrows, squinting her eyes), which serves to prevent the formation of wrinkles.

Interesting: The ability of botulinum toxin to eliminate facial wrinkles was discovered in 1982. During his treatment of people suffering from strabismus and blepharospasm, it was discovered that transverse wrinkles on the forehead in such patients were smoothed out.

When to use

Botox injections are also used for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the armpits, palms and feet. They block the transmission of nerve impulses to the sweat glands, which significantly reduces or stops sweating while maintaining normal thermoregulation.

Depending on the nature of the problem, places for botulinum toxin injection may be accumulations of facial wrinkles in the areas between the eyebrows and in the forehead (vertical and horizontal folds on the forehead), around the eyes (crow's feet) and mouth (nasolabial folds), as well as the armpits, palms and feet with hyperhidrosis.

In medicine, botulinum toxin preparations are used for diseases accompanied by severe muscle hypertonicity, cramps and pain caused by muscle spasms. These include some types of headaches and migraines, cerebral palsy, strabismus, consequences of stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, torticollis, muscle spasms in the back, shoulder girdle, urination disorders and others.

Contraindications to drug administration

Before performing “beauty injections,” even though they are considered safe, it is recommended to consult a cosmetologist. Contraindications for Botox, regardless of the injection site, are:

1. pregnancy and breastfeeding;
2. age less than 18 years;
3. exacerbation of any chronic diseases;
4. acute infectious processes;
5. diseases, inflammation or violation of the integrity of the skin at the sites of drug administration;
6. myasthenia gravis and myasthenic-like syndrome;
7. bleeding disorder (hemophilia);
8. individual intolerance or increased sensitivity of the body to botulinum toxin.

In addition to general contraindications, there are restrictions on performing Botox in certain places. For example, botulinum toxin injections in the facial area are contraindicated if you have had plastic surgery for less than 3 months or if there is severe gravitational ptosis of the tissue. When facial skin sagging, the injection of botulinum toxin can negatively affect the appearance and further aggravate existing problems. It is impossible to correct facial wrinkles with Botox in the area of ​​the eyes and bridge of the nose if there is a high degree of myopia (more than 6 diopters), or hernias in the upper and lower eyelids.

Compatibility of Botox with drugs

Botox cannot be combined with the use of anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and certain medications that affect neuromuscular transmission processes and increase intracellular calcium concentration. These include muscle relaxants, antibiotics of the aminoglycoside group, tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamides and others. Their combined use leads to an increase in the effect of botulinum toxin. There should be a break of at least two weeks between injections and taking these drugs.

If shortly before the procedure a woman took antipyretics based on aspirin or ibuprofen, then the likelihood of hematoma formation at the injection site increases, since these drugs thin the blood.

Advice: If it is necessary to correct wrinkles in several areas of the face, it is not recommended to inject botulinum toxin into all places at once, as this risks making it look like a wax mask.

Video: What is the danger of “beauty injections”

The use of Botox during pregnancy and lactation

Botox is contraindicated for pregnant women due to the lack of clinical trials confirming its safety both for the expectant mother and for the normal development of the fetus. The same applies to nursing mothers.

During the period of pregnancy and birth of a child, a woman’s head is occupied with completely different problems and rarely does anyone think about fighting wrinkles. Very often, a woman’s appearance during this period changes slightly under the influence of hormonal changes, so it is better to take care of yourself after it has stabilized and returned to its original state, that is, after lactation has completed.

Possible complications

Sometimes after Botox, women experience discomfort in the injection area, dizziness and headaches for several days. The following local complications are possible:

1. drooping eyebrows;
2. pinpoint hemorrhages;
3. soreness and numbness;
4. hematomas;
5. facial asymmetry;
6. spasm of the eyelids;
7. impaired mobility of the upper lip and corners of the lips;
8. inflammation due to infection;
9. swelling.

For women with active and expressive facial expressions, Botox injections can lead to the formation of new wrinkles in other places. After the loss of mobility of some muscle groups, their functions are taken over by others. When injections are given to reduce sweating, there is sometimes a slight increase in sweating in other areas of the body.

These undesirable consequences can be reduced by using massage and physiotherapeutic methods. This correction usually takes 1–2 months.

Important: There is no danger of intoxication and the development of botulism when Botox is administered for cosmetic or medical purposes, since toxic doses are thousands of times higher than therapeutic ones.

Considering that over time, Botox is gradually completely eliminated from the body, then all the unpleasant consequences caused by it are reversible. Complications, as a rule, arise due to incorrect selection of the dose and injection sites, poor-quality botulinum toxin preparation, or the woman’s failure to comply with the cosmetologist’s recommendations after the procedure.

Prevention of complications

Correct behavior after the procedure and compliance with certain restrictions will help reduce the likelihood of Botox complications.

Several hours after the procedure, the drug is distributed in the tissues, therefore, in order for it to be correct, for 4 hours you should not take a horizontal position of the body and tilt your head forward or backward. During this period, you need to actively move the muscles into which botulinum toxin was injected.

Within 5-7 days after Botox, any thermal effects on the facial area are contraindicated. It is forbidden:

1. visit a sauna or steam bath;
2. be in direct sunlight;
3. sunbathe in the sun or in a solarium;
4. take hot baths;
5. dry hair with a hairdryer with a hot stream of air;
6. rub and massage the injection sites.

Intense physical activity that stimulates blood flow to the head is also undesirable.

For several days after the procedure, it is not recommended to sleep on your stomach with your face buried in a pillow, perform peeling or apply warming masks. It is not advisable to drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol dilates blood vessels and increases blood circulation, which can increase the risk of bruising, increase swelling at injection sites, and also allow the drug to penetrate beyond the injection area into other areas of the face.

Video: Cosmetologist about Botox injections

Performing Botox at home

Today, many expensive salon procedures can be performed independently at home. However, Botox is not on their list.

Correcting wrinkles in this way can achieve good results only if it is performed by a qualified cosmetologist who has undergone appropriate training, received a license and has sufficient experience in this field. To give an injection of botulinum toxin, it is not enough just to be able to perform subcutaneous injections; it is important to know the anatomy of the facial muscles and understand what consequences can result from an incorrect choice of injection site or an inaccurately calculated dose.

Before performing the procedure, the specialist takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s facial expressions and calculates where and how many units of botulinum toxin to inject so that the face retains its natural appearance at the end of the procedure.

When performing injections on your own, there is a very high chance of ending up with an asymmetrical or “doll-shaped” face that is unable to express any emotions.

In addition, only cosmetologists who are constantly involved in this procedure have the opportunity to purchase a high-quality drug of a well-known brand directly from the manufacturer. If you try to buy Botox on your own, there is a possibility of getting a fake.