When Clara Johnson, a lifestyle blogger from Chicago who shares her insights on Instagram as @clara.jwrites, visited for Botox injections on March 3, she anticipated a routine experience. Having received Botox for three years, she was well-acquainted with the process for her forehead and eyebrow areas. However, Clara’s session took an unexpected turn.
Although she left the injector’s office without immediate issues, three days later, Clara noticed her left eyebrow had dropped compared to the right. “My left eyebrow was noticeably lower than the right,” Clara explained. In an effort to rectify the asymmetry, she reached out to her injector for advice. Six days post-injection, she returned to have an additional four units of Botox administered below her left eyebrow. Clara later discovered that such a quick follow-up is generally discouraged; typically, one should wait at least two weeks to see how the Botox settles.
By the following Friday, Clara observed her left eyelid beginning to droop, a condition known as ptosis. By Sunday, she awakened to a heavy feeling in her left eye. As the days passed, the drooping worsened, while her right eye compensated by opening wider. A plastic surgeon she consulted remarked that they had never encountered such an extreme case of eyelid droop from Botox.
After discussing her situation with the medspa and her injector, Clara was referred to a facial anatomy specialist. The specialist informed her that Botox cannot be dissolved like some fillers. The only remedy is time, depending on how quickly the body metabolizes the Botox. They proposed two solutions to alleviate the droop: prescription eye drops called Upneeq, designed for drooping eyelids, and an additional two units of Botox at the lash line of her left eye.
Though hesitant about further injections, Clara ultimately decided to proceed with the specialist’s recommendations. Recently, she has noticed some improvements, thanks to the eye drops and other remedies, such as massage and warm compresses.
Ptosis Is Rare
Doctors must make precise decisions regarding Botox injections, including the depth and location. A slight miscalculation, like an injection too low in the forehead muscle, can lead to eyelid drooping. According to WebMD, around 5% of Botox recipients may experience eyelid droop, which drops below 1% if performed by a skilled practitioner. It’s crucial to receive neurotoxin treatments in a medical environment.
Despite her injector being a trained professional and Clara having a history of successful treatments, even the smallest deviation can make a difference. Clara has been candid about her Botox experience on her Instagram stories, receiving an influx of supportive messages. Many followers appreciate her transparency, whether they have faced similar issues or want to be better informed for their appointments.
“Sharing my experience has been daunting, but the response has been overwhelmingly positive. It has allowed me to connect with others who have had similar experiences,” Clara told her audience.
Fortunately, Clara’s vision remains intact. Although she sometimes struggles to close her right eye and experiences dryness, her sight is unaffected, and she sleeps well. Recognizing the rarity of her situation, she expressed willingness to try Botox again, albeit with extensive research into her next practitioner.
For more insights into home insemination and related topics, check out this other blog post. If you’re looking for further information on fertility, visit Make A Mom, an authoritative source on the subject. Additionally, you can refer to this excellent resource on pregnancy.