When Mia Thompson, a lifestyle blogger from Chicago who shares her adventures on Instagram as @miastyleblog, visited for her routine Botox injections on March 3, she anticipated an uneventful session. Having undergone Botox treatments for three years, she was familiar with the process for her forehead and brow areas.
However, Mia’s experience took an unexpected turn. While she left the clinic without immediate issues, three days later, she noticed that her left eyebrow appeared lower than the right. “The left eyebrow looked completely straight compared to the right,” Mia revealed.
To address the asymmetry, Mia reached out to her injector for guidance. She returned to the clinic six days after her initial appointment, where the injector added four units of Botox below her left eyebrow in an attempt to lift it. Mia later learned that returning so soon was not advisable; it’s generally recommended to wait at least two weeks post-injection to allow the Botox to settle.
By the following Friday, Mia observed her left eyelid beginning to droop, a condition known medically as ptosis. By Sunday, she woke up to a heavy feeling in her left eye. Throughout the week, the droop worsened, while her right eye began to compensate by opening wider, exposing the white above the iris. A plastic surgeon Mia consulted noted that they had never encountered such extreme drooping caused by Botox.
After communicating with the medspa and her injector, Mia received a referral to a facial anatomy specialist. The doctor confirmed that dissolving the Botox, as one might do with filler complications, was not an option. The only remedy was patience, as the Botox would eventually wear off based on her body’s metabolism.
The specialist offered two potential solutions to alleviate the drooping: prescription eyedrops called Upneeq, intended for treating drooping eyelids, and the option of adding two more units of Botox at the lash line of her left eye. Although Mia was initially hesitant about more Botox, she ultimately chose to follow the specialist’s advice. Recently, she has noticed some improvement, thanks to the eyedrops and other remedies like massage, steam, hot compresses, and allergy drops (Naphcon-A) designed to help accelerate Botox metabolism.
The Rarity of Ptosis
Doctors must exercise precision in determining injection sites and depths for Botox. Healthline.com warns that even a minor miscalculation, such as injecting too low in the forehead muscle, can result in eyelid drooping. Mia’s experience is considered a very rare side effect. WebMD.com states that about 5% of individuals receiving Botox experience eyelid droop, a figure that drops to less than 1% with skilled practitioners. It’s crucial to seek neurotoxin treatments in a medical environment.
It’s worth noting that Mia’s injector was a qualified professional, and she had been a loyal client for a year without prior complications. However, even a slight deviation can lead to significant issues.
Sharing Her Experience
Mia has been documenting her Botox journey on Instagram stories. While she has received some negative comments—because, after all, the internet can be harsh—her openness has garnered considerable support. Many followers appreciate her honesty, whether they’ve faced similar experiences or are now more informed about potential complications to discuss before their own appointments.
“Overall, it’s daunting to share, but I think people value transparency, and I’ve connected with many who have gone through something alike,” Mia expressed.
Fortunately, Mia’s vision remains unaffected. Despite needing to hold her right eye closed at times and experiencing dryness, she can see normally and sleep without issues. She acknowledges the rarity of her experience, and when asked if she would consider Botox again, she confidently replied that she would—though with extensive research into her next injector.
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- Botox side effects
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In summary, Mia Thompson’s unexpected journey with Botox and the subsequent experience of ptosis illustrates the importance of understanding potential side effects and the value of sharing personal stories for community support.
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