When Emma Sinclair, a lifestyle blogger from Chicago known as @simplyemma on Instagram, visited her aesthetician on March 3 for Botox injections, she anticipated a routine experience. Having undergone Botox treatments for three years, she felt well-acquainted with the process and the typical results. However, this time was different.
Days after her appointment, Emma noticed that her left eyebrow appeared lower than her right. “The left eyebrow looked straight compared to the right,” Emma recounted. Concerned about the unevenness, she reached out to her injector for advice on correcting the asymmetry. She returned to the clinic six days later, where the injector added four units of Botox beneath her left eyebrow in an attempt to lift it. Unfortunately, Emma later learned that such a quick follow-up was not advisable; generally, patients should wait at least two weeks post-injection to allow the Botox to settle properly.
By the following Friday, Emma observed that her left eyelid had begun to droop, a condition known as ptosis. By Sunday, she woke up feeling a heaviness in that eye. Throughout the week, the drooping intensified, while her right eye reacted by opening wider. A consultation with a plastic surgeon revealed that they had never seen such a significant droop caused by Botox.
After discussing her situation with the medspa and her injector, Emma was referred to a facial anatomy specialist. The specialist confirmed that there was no way to dissolve the Botox, as one might do with filler mishaps. The only real solution was to wait for her body to metabolize the Botox, which varies for each individual.
The specialist offered two potential remedies to alleviate the drooping: prescription eye drops called Upneeq, designed to treat drooping eyelids, and adding two more units of Botox at the lash line of her left eye. Though hesitant about adding more Botox, Emma ultimately agreed. Recently, she feels she has noticed some improvement from the drops, along with other methods like massage, steam, and a hot compress, which seem to ease her symptoms.
Understanding Ptosis
It’s important to note that the occurrence of ptosis is quite rare. According to medical sources, only about 5% of Botox users experience eyelid drooping, a figure that drops to less than 1% when the injections are administered by skilled practitioners. While Emma’s injector was trained and had provided her with satisfactory results for about a year, even slight miscalculations in injection depth or placement can lead to unintended side effects.
Emma has been candid about her experience on her Instagram stories, receiving both negative and supportive feedback. Many followers appreciate her transparency, sharing their own similar experiences or gaining insights into what to expect during their appointments.
Fortunately, Emma’s vision remains unaffected. Though she has to hold down her right eye to close it and sometimes experiences dryness, she can still see normally and has no issues sleeping. Recognizing that her case is uncommon, she expressed her willingness to try Botox again, but with thorough research on her next injector.
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Summary
Emma Sinclair, a Chicago-based lifestyle blogger, candidly shares her unexpected experience with ptosis following Botox injections. After noticing an eyebrow imbalance and subsequent eyelid droop, she sought medical advice, learning that such side effects, while rare, can occur. Emma’s journey highlights the importance of understanding Botox procedures and the potential for complications, even with experienced injectors. She remains optimistic about future treatments, emphasizing the value of sharing personal narratives for community support.