How does a drooping eyelid after Botox develop?
Botox relaxes the muscle where it is injected. When a small amount moves to the muscle that lifts the upper eyelid, that muscle also partly relaxes and the eyelid can no longer be held fully up.
This usually happens after treatment of frown lines or forehead lines, because those injection sites are close to the eye socket. You can read more about how this treatment works at botox.
Rubbing the area shortly after the treatment can increase the spread and so raise the chance of a drooping eyelid. Too high a dose or an injection too close to the eye socket can also contribute. That is why, after a Botox treatment, you are advised not to rub the injected area and to remove make-up gently.
What is the difference with a drooping brow?
A drooping eyelid and a drooping brow are often confused, while the cause differs. With a drooping eyelid, the eyelid margin itself sinks down and comes closer to the pupil.
With a drooping brow, the brow sinks and pushes the eyelid down. This more often results from too much relaxation of the forehead muscle, so the brow loses its support.
The distinction determines exactly what is going on and how your recovery goes. Besides the temporary Botox form, there is also a permanent form of eyelid drooping, known as ptosis , which has a different cause.
Even if you were treated elsewhere, you can see plastic surgeon David Jairath in Haarlem for a second opinion. He looks at the result with you and at what may be possible.
How long does a drooping eyelid after Botox last?
The effect is temporary. The slackening is usually most noticeable in the first one to two weeks after the treatment, when the Botox has its strongest effect on the muscles in the area.
As the Botox wears off, the eyelid gradually recovers. For most people it is back to normal within a few weeks to about three months, depending on the amount used.
Recovery happens step by step. Muscle strength slowly returns, so the eyelid comes back to the right height. Exactly how long it takes also depends on your personal sensitivity.
Is a drooping eyelid after Botox dangerous?
No, a drooping eyelid after Botox is not dangerous. It is an unwanted but harmless effect that goes away on its own and causes no permanent damage to the eye or eyelid.
It can be a nuisance, though, for example if your vision from above is partly obstructed or if you find it cosmetically bothersome. For some people it feels uncomfortable in social situations.
The eye itself is not at risk from the temporary slackening of the eyelid. If in doubt, always contact the clinic where the treatment was carried out, so the situation can be assessed calmly.
What can you do about it?
Because the effect goes away on its own, patience is the most important step. Forcing things or quickly having another treatment does not help and can even complicate the picture. Waiting is often the wisest choice.
A doctor can sometimes recommend special eye drops that temporarily lift the eyelid slightly. These drops stimulate a small accessory muscle in the eyelid, raising it by a few millimetres.
This can soften the effect until the Botox has worn off. Treating it yourself with extra Botox is not wise and can make the effect worse, so always leave this to an experienced doctor.
How do you prevent a drooping eyelid?
The most important factor is a correct dose and precise placement by an experienced injector. Knowledge of the muscles around the eye is essential, because a difference of a few millimetres can already be decisive.
After the treatment it helps not to touch the area for a few hours, not to exercise and to stay upright. Also avoid bending over and heavy exertion in the first hours, so the Botox stays where it is intended.
Read more about safe anti-wrinkle treatments under anti-wrinkle treatments and Muscle relaxants. Good preparation and instructions beforehand reduce the chance of side effects.
When should you see a doctor?
Get in touch if the drooping eyelid seriously obstructs your vision or if you are worried about your recovery. If the condition does not improve over time, an assessment is also wise.
If you have pain, redness, fever or other complaints that do not fit a normal Botox effect, it is important to get in touch. These complaints are not part of a normal treatment.
A doctor can reassure you, think along about temporary solutions and discuss the further course with you. If you are unsure whether it is a drooping eyelid or a drooping brow, an assessment also gives clarity on that.
Can you safely have Botox again afterwards?
A drooping eyelid after Botox does not mean you can never have treatment again. Once the effect has fully worn off and the eyelid is back in its normal position, a new treatment is in principle possible.
It is important, though, that the doctor takes the earlier reaction into account in the planning. Often a slightly adjusted dose or a slightly different placement of the injections is chosen.
By keeping the injection sites further from the eye socket and dosing carefully, the chance of it happening again is reduced. Experience with the muscles around the eye plays a big role in this.
Always discuss your previous experience openly with your practitioner. That way it can be taken into account and you work together towards a safe and natural result.
Botox at Kliniek het Bolwerk
Kliniek het Bolwerk performs Botox treatments selectively, with attention to a natural result. Precision is especially important around the eyes, because the muscles there lie close together and interact subtly.
Because the clinic specialises in the eye area, there is extensive knowledge of the muscles that control the eyelid and brow. That knowledge helps keep the chance of a drooping eyelid as small as possible.
See the options at Botox in Haarlem. Would you like personal advice on a safe treatment with a natural result? Book an appointment.
