Side Effects of Facial Slimming Injections
Dec 07, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Ruizhi
Introduction
1. Common side effects of botulinum toxin injections for facial slimming include facial stiffness, unnatural smiling, facial asymmetry, and muscle weakness at the injection site—these effects are related to both the dosage administered and the specific injection sites.
2. Excessive dosing may lead to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Therefore, the procedure must be performed by a qualified cosmetic plastic surgeon to ensure safety.
Currently, acceptance of botulinum toxin injections for facial slimming (commonly known as “face-slimming injections”) is steadily increasing. However, many women remain skeptical about their potential side effects. Prior to undergoing treatment, it is essential to have thorough discussions with a qualified physician to fully understand the possible side effects—this helps prepare you psychologically and prevents post-treatment regret or unnecessary complications. So, what are the side effects of face-slimming injections? Below, we address this question.
Side Effects of Face-Slimming Injections
1. The most common side effects include facial stiffness, unnatural smiling, facial asymmetry, or localized muscle weakness at the injection site. These effects depend on both the dosage administered and the precision of the injection site. Unqualified aestheticians working in non-medical beauty salons—lacking anatomical knowledge—may inject inaccurately or use excessively high concentrations or doses, leading to complications such as ptosis (drooping) of the eyelid or eyebrow, or localized swelling.
2. Over-injection may cause difficulty swallowing. Therefore, the procedure must be performed exclusively by certified cosmetic plastic surgeons to ensure safety. Moreover, face-slimming injections involve targeted administration of botulinum toxin into hypertrophied masseter muscles, inducing temporary muscle relaxation and atrophy, thereby reducing masseter activity and size.
Additional Information: Duration of Effect
Following injection, the effect of botulinum toxin develops gradually—not immediately. Most individuals begin noticing visible results approximately one month after treatment; some may observe noticeable changes within one to two weeks, while others may experience minimal or delayed effects. This variability often causes undue anxiety, but there is no need for concern: the onset and degree of effect vary among individuals due to physiological differences. Typically, all patients will see results within three months.
The above outlines the potential side effects associated with face-slimming injections. We hope this information is helpful to you.
