Botox has brought revolution when it comes to aesthetics. It is the most widely performed and popular cosmetic procedure all over the globe. More than 7.4 billion people in the US have received Botox in the year 2022 with more numbers to come. Uncountable celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, Cindy Crawford, Courteney Cox, Megan Fox, and the list goes on; have had Botox.
One very common question asked is if crow’s feet Botox cause eye bags. We will first see what Crow’s feet Botox is. Later we are going to address the issue of eye bags caused due to Botox.
Crow’s Feet Botox
Crow’s feet are wrinkles that appear around the eyes. They are the early signs of aging. These lines become more visible when you laugh or squint. Botox works amazingly for these wrinkles. Even if these lines are deeper, Botox smoothens them out very nicely. The procedure works by relaxing the muscles around the eyes giving you a smooth and wrinkle-free face.
How does Botox work?
Botox uses a neurotoxin known as Botulinum A. This toxin is mixed with human albumin to make it usable for injecting purposes. The toxin is then injected into the muscles. It works by distracting the nerve transmitters which causes the muscles to contract. This relaxes the muscles which in turn reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Can Botox for crow’s feet cause bags under the eyes?
You must be surprised to know that Botox was originally developed by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to treat patients suffering from disorders of eye spasms. Later on, the same formula was bought by a pharmaceutical company and was then tried and tested to use for multiple functions. And now these injections have numerous uses; treating crow’s feet is one of them.
Everybody is different, and so is their reaction to the Botox injection. For some, the procedure is a piece of cake but for others, it could lead to some side effects such as bags under the eyes. Yes, Botox might cause bags under the eyes but this doesn’t happen to everyone.
There can be different reasons for this like:
- If you are under any kind of stress, the eye bags could appear after Botox
- If you are not getting enough sleep, sleep deprivation
- Exhaustion
If your body is sensitive to the accumulation of fluid, this could also lead to puffy eyes or swelling under the lower eyelids. The probable reasons behind this bloating may be caused due to:
- An allergic reaction
- Sinusitis
- A disorder in the muscle of orbicularis oculi
- Or a reaction from any other body system.
What to do?
If you are planning to get crow’s feet Botox and are worried about things that might go wrong, the first thing you need to do is to relax. Calm down your nerves. Perform a thorough research. Consult your doctor or aesthetician and gather all the information.
If after the procedure, bags appear under the eyes, contact your practitioner. Follow his instructions. Some other things that you can do are:
- Drinks lots of water. Keep the body hydrated can help especially if your diet includes high salt or high-diet things
- Cut down the amount of alcohol and salt intake
- If you know of anything that makes you bloated, reduce its use.
- After Botox, sleep straight with your head in an elevated position. Use an extra pillow if needed.
- Use ice packs. Usually, ice packs help to get rid of the puffiness on the face in the morning.
- If you experience allergies, it is advisable to use an anti-allergic but after consultation with the doctor.
When do these bags go away?
According to different studies, usually when the effect of Botox wears off and muscles start to contract the eye bags are likely to go away. But in some cases, it was observed that the puffiness went away in a couple of months.
Conclusion
Botox can cause bags around and under the eyes. But it is mainly if you are in stress, sleep-deprived, or fatigued before the procedure. It is best to keep your nerves calm and trust your practitioner. Carefully follow the post-procedure instructions for the best results. If your eye bags are a result of fluid retention they can be treated by muscle draining.
