Corbis
A: Adverse reactions to Botox aren’t common, but they can happen. Kim Kardashian experienced bruising; other side effects include redness, itchiness, or headaches. More rarely, patients may also develop severe muscle weakness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, chest pain or shortness of breath, blisters, or hives. Whether you’ll have a reaction depends more on your body chemistry than on the skill of the person doing the injection.
Just remember: Botox is a powerful drug that works by blocking nerves, leading to temporary muscle paralysis. It should only be given by a medical doctor in a clinical setting (i.e., a physician’s office or hospital), not by an aesthetician at a spa or salon. Following an injection, if you notice severe side effects, or if any symptoms are bothersome or don’t go away, call your doctor ASAP.
