Can botox travel once it is injected?

I've heard horror stories about how botox can travel and cause unwanted eyelid drooping, muscle spasms, numbness, etc. Is there any merit to these concerns?

Answers from doctors (3)


Botox does not "travel" once to far off places but it can diffuse
around the area of injection. Botox can not cause numbness as it only
works on the nerve to muscle communication and does not work on pain
receptors. Botox has been known to cause eyelid drooping but this is
most commonly caused by an in-experienced injector. That is why it is
important to go to a physician that injects Botox frequently. As far as
spasms, you can occasionally have a patient get twitching of a muscle
as it begins to work again after the Botox wears off. This is very
mild and only lasts a very short period of time or it will go away
once the muscle is injected again.

Answered by LazaDerm Skincare Centre - Sioux Falls (View Profile)

Botox does not "travel" once to far off places but it can diffuse
around the area of injection. Botox can not cause numbness as it only
works on the nerve to muscle communication and does not work on pain
receptors. Botox has been known to cause eyelid drooping but this is
most commonly caused by an in-experienced injector. That is why it is
important to go to a physician that injects Botox frequently. As far as
spasms, you can occasionally have a patient get twitching of a muscle
as it begins to work again after the Botox wears off. This is very
mild and only lasts a very short period of time or it will go away
once the muscle is injected again.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Esta Kronberg, M.D.

Published on Nov 05, 2009

No, Botox does not travel. It does diffuse a small amount from the injection site. That is why it is important you have an experienced injector.

Rarely you can get a heavy brow or lid after the treatment. An experienced injector will be able to customize your treatment for your facial expression.

But, yes, it can rarely happen. The good news is that it goes away.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/2292_1421355456.jpg
Answered by Esta Kronberg, M.D.

No, Botox does not travel. It does diffuse a small amount from the injection site. That is why it is important you have an experienced injector.

Rarely you can get a heavy brow or lid after the treatment. An experienced injector will be able to customize your treatment for your facial expression.

But, yes, it can rarely happen. The good news is that it goes away.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Nov 05, 2009

Botox can migrate once injected, especially if injected at a higher does than is called for or injected incorrectly. Eyelid droop (Ptosis) is the most common side effect, but experienced practitioners will easily be able to avoid this effect.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/2507_1424468866.jpg
Answered by Celibre Medical Corporation

Botox can migrate once injected, especially if injected at a higher does than is called for or injected incorrectly. Eyelid droop (Ptosis) is the most common side effect, but experienced practitioners will easily be able to avoid this effect.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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