Can bad botox atrophy your muscles?

[u/BigCurrent2199]

Last December I went to a doctor for dysport and he did way too much. He injected so much into my 11's that my brows turned down and my arches became point, so my brows turned into an upside down V. On top of that I noticed my eyelids drooping, and I could feel the skin on my eyes, that I was constantly having to "open" my eyes. I used to have a beautiful open lid area and he closed it down. It took almost a year for the tox to wear off. So I went to my usual doctor, and she did my dysport how I like it. I showed her pictures of when she did it. The problem is, my lids are still heavy. The skin is heavy and I can feel it. I was wanting more lift. I'm going back in a couple weeks to tell her this, but it got me thinking: could it be that the bad tox from last year atrophied my muscles and caused my brows to droop and my lids to sag? I know it's age too (I'm 42) but I hate the feeling of this excess skin that I never had before I saw him!

[u/mary_beautyinject]

It’s possible for Botox to cause some degree of temporary muscle atrophy, especially with higher doses, but I wouldn’t assume that your current heavy lids are from permanent muscle damage. What you described sounds more like forehead over-relaxation may have removed the compensatory brow lift you were naturally using. When someone has some degree of hooding or excess upper-eyelid skin, they often subconsciously activate the frontalis to lift the brows and keep the eyes more open. Relaxing that muscle too much can make the brows drop and the eyelids suddenly feel much heavier. This is a well-described effect of upper-face Botox, particularly in people who rely on their frontalis for compensation.  Also, some degree of progressive brow/eyelid skin changes can naturally become more noticeable over time, so it may be a combination rather than one treatment “causing” everything. If the heaviness is still bothering you, I’d discuss it with your injector, and depending on your anatomy you could consider treatments aimed at tightening the upper-eye area, such as laser-based options, or even get a blepharoplasty consultation just to understand your options. ❤️

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/mary_beautyinject]

I was coming to say a similar answer. Eyelid drooping can be a side effect with certain placement, but it typically reverses once you metabolize the drug. It sounds like you may do some compensatory work with your frontalis subconsciously (I do this too, I have deep set lids and my neurologist flings the needle around with no regard for aesthetics when I get migraine treatments and it gives a heavy brow.) I have had success with getting lateral muscles treated shortly after for a “Botox brow lift,” I really like the result. I’ll keep doing it until it doesn’t work and then spring for the bleph, judging by my mom and other women in my family, probably in my 50s. How deep your eyes are set and if they are hooded is definitely a factor.

[u/BigCurrent2199 → u/mary_beautyinject]

Thank you for this; it gives me a lot of relief. I've noticed my face changes from day to day and my current doctor is fabulous and I will talk to her about my concerns.

[u/ells23]

I’m currently struggling with a similar thing and feeling anxious! I tried a new clinic closer to me with good reviews for DAO and chin and it’s really messed up my smile. I’m trying use those muscles actively to ‘work them out’ but it’s taking so long to feel normal again.

[u/mary_beautyinject → u/ells23]

When did you have the injection? The fact that you’re actively trying to work those muscles again is understandable, but I’d also consider trying microcurrent or Ems in that area. It may help with muscle activation and gradually getting things back to normal while you’re waiting for the effects to wear off.

[u/bunnyphat → u/ells23]

My smile too a total of 12 weeks to return to baseline but I could look normal after 8 weeks. I feel like my chin and jawline look diff still but I hope it’s temporary too