Blogger Shares Her Journey with Ptosis – A Rare Side Effect of Botox

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When Emily Carter, a lifestyle blogger from Chicago known on Instagram as @emilysjourney, went in for her Botox session on March 3, she anticipated a routine appointment. Having received Botox for three years, she felt confident about the process and the usual outcomes from her injections targeting her forehead and the areas around her eyebrows.

However, this visit did not go as planned. Although she left the clinic without immediate discomfort, things took a turn a few days later when she noticed her left eyebrow was significantly lower than her right.

“The left eyebrow looked straight compared to the right,” Emily shared in a recent post. Seeking to fix the discrepancy, she reached out to her injector about possible solutions. Just six days post-injection, she returned to the clinic where the injector added four units of Botox beneath her left eyebrow to elevate it. Emily later discovered that returning so soon was not standard practice; typically, one should wait at least two weeks for Botox to settle before addressing any imbalances.

By the following Friday, Emily began to experience drooping in her left eyelid, a condition medically known as ptosis. By Sunday, she awoke to a heavy sensation in her eye. Over the next week, her left eye continued to sag while her right eye began to widen excessively to compensate, making her vision uncomfortable. A plastic surgeon she consulted remarked that they had never seen such an extreme droop from Botox.

After communicating with the medspa where she received her injections, Emily was referred to a specialist in facial anatomy. The specialist advised her that there was no method to dissolve the Botox, unlike with fillers, and the best course of action was simply to wait for her body to metabolize it. They did, however, suggest two potential remedies: prescription eye drops called Upneeq to treat drooping eyelids and the option of adding two more units of Botox to the lash line of her left eye.

Initially reluctant to add more Botox, Emily ultimately decided to follow the specialist’s advice. Recently, she reported some improvement, attributing it to the eye drops along with other treatments like massage, steam, hot compresses, and allergy drops to expedite the Botox’s metabolism.

The Rarity of Ptosis

Medical professionals must carefully consider injection sites and depth when administering Botox. According to Healthline.com, even a minor error, such as injecting too low in the forehead muscle, can lead to eyelid drooping. The occurrence of what happened to Emily is quite rare. WebMD.com states that only about 5% of Botox patients experience eyelid drooping, and that risk drops to less than 1% when a skilled practitioner administers the treatment. It’s crucial to seek neurotoxin injections from qualified medical settings.

Despite her experience, Emily remains optimistic. She has documented her Botox journey on her Instagram stories, receiving a mix of support and criticism from followers. Many have expressed gratitude for her candidness, sharing their own experiences or gaining insights into the questions they should ask during their appointments.

“While it’s certainly daunting to share, people seem to value the honesty, and I’ve connected with many who have faced similar situations,” Emily reflected.

Fortunately, her vision remains unaffected. Although she sometimes needs to hold her right eye to close it fully and experiences dryness and fatigue in that eye, her overall sight is normal. Recognizing the rarity of her situation, Emily confirmed she would consider Botox again in the future, albeit with thorough research into her next provider.

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In summary, Emily Carter’s experience with Botox and the unexpected side effect of ptosis serves as a reminder of the importance of careful administration and informed decision-making when it comes to cosmetic procedures. By sharing her journey, she aims to educate others and provide support to those who may face similar challenges.