How safe is Botox?

BOTOX® is one of the safest medications we know and it has the backing of the FDA. It is also one of the most tested and studied drugs in medicine. Millions of procedures have been performed worldwide and serious side effects are unheard of. In the United States alone, 3.5 million injections are performed each year.

Botox research

There are no long term or permanent side effects and this fact has been established through extensive research spanning over 100 years of study. Botox has been approved for 20 indications (uses) including aesthetics. It has been in use for over 18 years when it was first approved by the FDA to treat excessive eye blinking (blapharaspasm). The approved doses of Botox for medical use are significantly greater than the approved dose for an aesthetic procedure.

What is Botox?

Botox® is the brand name for Botulinum Toxin Type A. This is a protein made in the laboratory from the toxin of a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. The toxin is a potent poison. The protein is not.
During the manufacturing process, the toxin is diluted, processed and purified. The resulting protein is absorbed completely by the muscles into which it is injected. The body does not absorb the protein and this is why Botox® is so safe. Because it is not absorbed, Botox® does not affect the body, only the muscles into which it is injected. After a few months, Botox® disappears from the body without leaving a trace.

Possible side effects of Botox

Side effects are possible but rare. These are mostly associated with the delivery of Botox itself (as an injection) which can occur with any medicine that is injected. If any of the following were to occur they would be very temporary:

• Bruising - there will be penetration of the needle so smaller blood vessels may be injured. To minimise the risk of bruising, follow the pre-treatment instructions for Botox.
• Swelling - may happen and lasts a couple of hours to a few days.
• Pain - only during the procedure, unless there is a big bruise, which may create pain. Ice packs help with both swelling and pain.
• Headache - for a few hours mostly. It is safe to take paracetamol to relieve this.
• "Ptosis" or drooping of an eyelid is the most common significant complication (less than 1%); this is caused by the botulinum toxin tracking into the upper eyelid muscle. It generally starts 5-7 days after Botox is administered. Please contact your doctor if this does occur as steps can be taken to address this.

Botox® is a medical device and should only be administered by a medical professional trained, qualified and experienced in this procedure.

Read our Botox FAQs to find out more about this procedure, or use our Clinic Locator to find out where to get Botox administered safely in Essex and London.