Botox is short for Botulinum toxin type A. It's a drug that is made from the same toxin that causes the life-threatening form of food poisoning known as botulism. However, when used in small doses, Botox can be effective as both a cosmetic and health treatment. Some people do experience droopy eyelids or droopy brows after receiving a Botox treatment, but the effects are usually temporary.
Considerations
Botox is commonly thought of as a way to make yourself look younger. It's used cosmetically to temporarily remove facial wrinkles. It can work on crow's feet at the corners of the eyes and helps smooth the horizontal lines that can develop on the forehead. However, Botox is also used to treat medical conditions such as severe underarm sweating, the neck and shoulder disorder known as cervical dystonia, uncontrollable blinking and misaligned eyes. Eye droop can occur when injections are given around the eye area.
Effects
Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, reports that Botox works by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. In rare cases, some patients may find that their eyelids or eyebrows droop after a treatment because of weakness in the muscles of the eye area.
Duration
Droopy eyelids or a droopy brow are a temporary condition following Botox injections. The overall effects of Botox usually wear off in three to four months, though some people may see lasting effects for as long as six months. The American Academy of Dermatology describes the side effects as "mild, reversible and self-limiting."
Practitioners
It's up to each state to state decide who may administer Botox injections in that state. Because Botox is a poison, in some states, only a licensed doctor may give Botox treatments. Other states allow nurses to give the injections. Depending on where you live, you may be able to get the injections at a doctor's office or in a spa setting. MayoClinic.com recommends talking with a doctor before scheduling any Botox injections to discuss the risks and determine whether Botox is a good choice for you.
Risks
Droopy eyelids are just one of the risks associated with Botox treatments. MayoClinic.com reports that other side effects include pain and bruising at the site of the injections, redness, itching, headache and nausea. In rare cases, Botox can spread to other areas of the body and cause botulism-like signs and symptoms. It is generally not recommended as a treatment for women who are pregnant or nursing because it's unknown how the treatments can affect babies.
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