It’s wise to ask if medical procedures are safe when performed close together. Understandably, many patients are curious if it’s appropriate to get BOTOX after receiving their COVID-19 vaccination(s) and if there are any side effects.
?Below, Kellie Lewis, the co-owner and acting medical director of Avanti Medical Center in Lehi, UT answers any lingering questions patients may have about the safety of the BOTOX procedure.
What is BOTOX?
BOTOX is a cosmetic injectable made out of a purified form of botulism toxin. Unlike other types of injectables, called dermal fillers, BOTOX works by being injected into the muscles on your face that create lines and wrinkles when they move. For example, the muscles you use when you furrow your brow or raise your eyebrows.
BOTOX stops the nerve cells from receiving messages to contract those muscles, thereby removing the lines they cause on your forehead, between your eyebrows, and around your eyes and mouth.
Should I be concerned about BOTOX side effects after a COVID-19 vaccine?
Some people have been concerned about BOTOX injections because of reports during the COVID-19 vaccine trials that patients with dermal fillers experienced side effects.
What happened was that during phase 3 of the Moderna trials, three subjects who had dermal fillers experienced mild facial swelling within two days of their vaccine dose – two had facial swelling, and one had lip swelling. However, this was just three out of the 15,184 people who participated in the trial, so the risks are low. The patients’ swelling went away and required no treatment.
It’s important to know that BOTOX injections are not a dermal filler; they are muscle relaxants. However, out of an abundance of caution, many doctors have recommended that those who get any kind of cosmetic injectables speak with their doctors about the timing of their injectables in relation to their COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. You’ll want to speak with your care provider at Avanti Medical Center for personalized advice.
What is the safest way to get BOTOX after being vaccinated?
First, it’s crucial to be aware that there appears to be no reason to postpone getting your COVID-19 vaccine because of your BOTOX or dermal filler treatment. In fact, you’re likely to be at the same risk of facial swelling if you fail to get your vaccine and contract the coronavirus as a result.
We simply don’t have enough long-term evidence to make declarations about safety, but we do know that the body has to acclimate to any foreign substance injected into it. Therefore, the current wisdom is that it’s most appropriate to postpone BOTOX injections and other cosmetic injectables until you have recovered from both shots from the Pfizer or Moderna, or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The point of waiting is so your immune system can have all the strength it needs to build antibodies after your vaccination with no other strain put on it.
It’s important to remember that swelling is a normal reaction to BOTOX and other injectables in the days following the procedure.
Get safe BOTOX treatment in Lehi, UT
The BOTOX procedure is generally very safe, and you can schedule a consultation with Kellie Lewis at Avanti Medical Center in Lehi, UT before scheduling your appointment. By listening to your concerns and medical history, she’ll be able to explain the best possible schedule to reach your aesthetic goals.
