A holiday over-Botoxed problem!!

Dr. Irwin
December 27, 2014
Need desperate help: OVER-botox Hi. Dr Irwin, First, I would like to thank you very much for this blog, I've read extensively on everything and I'm so grateful for all your valuable advise. I've got a HUGE problem, PLEASE HELP! 8 days ago, I had botox done on my forehead but I'm sure the doctor over-botoxed me because my forehead feels really heavy and my eyelids are now hooding!!! They were not before I had the botox?! I literally need to force my upper eyelids to open and it's causing my much discomfort not to mention the fact that I'm looking tired and HOODED way before my age, I'm only 31! I read all your answers on botox problems and you said there's nothing to be done except to wear it off?! Please... ? The New Year is just a few days away and then Valentine's day then Chinese New Year in mid-Feb and my birthday shortly after that. Isn't there anything that can be done? I'm going to have to look tired and feels terrible for all the most important dates in the year? Please please help, Dr Irwin. Btw, this is the second time I got botox on the forehead. Got the first in Oct and it wore off in 11 weeks, how long is this terrible hooding going to last? Thanks a million in advance for your help!

I’m so sad that this happened to you!!  I know it’s very frustrating.  Once that Botox or Dysport binds to the receptors at the junction between the nerve and the muscle, there’s really not much to be done.   Here are some thoughts though.  More on Botox problems.

If it’s not just your eyebrows that are drooping and truly is the eyelid, then call your doctor and ask for Lopidine which used in the eyes several times a day, will help you be able to open your eyes.    It won’t help if it’s really the forehead and the eyebrows that have “fallen.”

I had a patient last year who had travelled to Asia and while there, she had Botox done.   It was extremely poorly done and she was very asymetric, including a right sided forehead and eyebrow drop.   It was so debilitating and affecting her work life, that I had her try electrostimulation facials on the over-Botoxed side only.     She and I both thought they seemed to have a positive effect and perhaps speeded the recovery.   It’s very hard to tell for sure though with only one patient.   Worst case scenario, you would waste your money.

It also maybe helpful to have a professional makeup artist show you how to create the illusion of more open eyes.

Hope this helps,  Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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