The Bad Side of Botox

When it comes to Botox, doctors said you should follow your mom’s advice. Don’t talk to strangers and never take candy from someone you don’t know well.

Botox is extremely popular nowadays because it is easy to use and the results are great. With just a few injections, the procedure can paralyze facial muscles and prevent them from wrinkling. However, at the wrong hands, this procedure can be extremely dangerous.

In the medical journal Neurology, Dr. N. Souayah and his colleagues narrated how things can go wrong if Botox is administered by a person other than a doctor. The victim was a 34-year-old woman who decided to get Botox injections from a friend. To her, the offer probably sounded like a good deal since she was getting the injections at a much lower price.

But good bargains are hard to find and her mistake was entrusting her life to someone who wasn’t even trained in giving Botox injections. Her mistake cost her a great deal.

“The preparation was not the FDA-approved botulinum toxin type A (brand name Botox). The injected substance was apparently research-grade toxin and was bought on the internet. Two days after the injection, the woman developed progressive shortness of breath, swallowing difficulties, double vision, and generalized weakness. By the time she was examined by a neurologist, she was totally paralyzed with the exception of a little movement of her left big toe. An attempt to limit the paralysis with serum against the toxin was too late and did not help,” said Dr. Richard Barbano, a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

Upon examination, the woman was found to have high levels of the botulinum toxin in her blood. She was given over 2,000 to 5,000 times the normal amount needed for cosmetic purposes. Luckily, she survived that dreadful incident.

“The patient was treated in the intensive care unit for any developing problems while waiting for recovery, which was slow. By three weeks, she could only shrug her shoulders and move her eyes. By five weeks, she could answer with a yes or no. The last time she was evaluated, 10 months after she was hospitalized, she still had problems with muscle pain and weakness and had some shortness of breath,” Barbano said.

There is an important lesson to be learned here. Never trust a friend who offers to do something that requires professional training. Like any other drug, Botox can be abused. Its safety depends on the way it is used.

“When appropriately used by trained doctors, botulinum toxin has a remarkable safety record. The important point is that it should be administered only by someone with considerable experience with the medication. It also must be emphasized that the botulinum toxin used in this sad case was NOT the commercial product found in pharmacies and administered by doctors. This was a research-grade product never meant for medical use in humans,” Barbano wrote.

So as not to compromise your health, switch to other wrinkle-fighters that can deliver similar results without the side effects of Botox. One popular product is the Rejuvinol AM/PM Botox Alternative Age-Defying System. This unique system consists of the Rejuvinol morning moisturizer and the Rejuvox night cream that work together to moisturize the skin and diminish the appearance of crow’s feet, laugh lines, and wrinkles. Visit for more information.