Puffy Bags Under Eyes After Botox | Ty The Hunter

PUFFY BAGS UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX - MY EXPERIENCE

8/3/2020

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That's certainly not my most flattering picture, but since the malar bags (puffy under eyes) I got after my last Botox injection have mostly gone away, I needed to tilt my head to let you see them. This is NOTHING like how they looked a few weeks ago, but I couldn't bear to take a picture at that point, being too worried that I'd forever disfigured my face after getting Botox injections in a site on my face I never had before. (read more)

MALAR BAGS FROM BOTOX
A VIDEO

Botox under eyes gone wrong:

I'm going to tell you my story, then I'm going to talk about the multitude of things I read on the internet while searching to see if anyone else had experienced the same issue. Of course they had, this is a super common problem, but a lot of what I read on places like Real Self was doctor's denying that it could happen, or, if they said it could happen, a lot of denying that it could last more than a few months.

I firmly believe that not only was Botox the cause of my malar bags, but that on some people it can stick around a lot longer than a few months. So if you're having this issue and it's been awhile since your last injection, I highly recommend going to talk to different doctors until you have one that will listen to you.

If you'd like to hear me go over this on a video, here you go.

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PUFFY UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

I'm going to get a little scientific here, but please remember that I am not a doctor. This is only based on my experience and the things I read while trying to figure out what in the heck was happening to my face.

Basically, you have lymph glands under your eyes (I've included a picture below), and when you get Botox or other paralyzing injectables under your eyes (or in places where the Botox might drain under your eyes) you can and will paralyze the muscles that work to push the lymph away.

When these muscles get paralyzed, they stop moving, and the lymph that was otherwise being squished on to other places is now just sitting, pooling behind the thinnest skin on your body. Once enough lymph builds up, you get an unsightly bulge, and that's called a malar bag. This happens fast, just a few hours in my case, worse in the mornings, and even worse as the day progressed.

Now, this is just one reason you might get puffy under eyes from Botox injections. The other thing that might be happening is that your now lax under eye muscles have allowed any fat padding behind the muscle to pop through, meaning the bag you're seeing isn't lymph, but fat.

I'm not sure how you'd tell the difference between the two, but I would think a general idea might be whether or not your bags get better (or worse) during the day or in the morning, or if the bulge tends to stay the same throughout the day.

Here's that picture, so you can see how your body drains the lymph, and why it might not be happening once you paralyze the muscles.

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PUFFY UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX
HOW TO FIX IT

Can Botox cause malar bags? Can Botox cause eye bags? Can Botox cause malar festoons? Can Botox cause bags under eyes?

Whatever you searched for to get here, whatever you want to call them, the answer is sadly, yes. Also sadly, I haven't been able to find anything that promises to fix puffy under eyes after Botox, though a few replies on Real Self seem to think that it can be helped.

For those of you who have bags under eyes after Botox for crows feet (or whatever), I feel your pain, and I get that you want it to go away, but I'm going to issue a word of caution. For me, I chose not to correct it with more injectables, feeling that any correction would have unknown consequences once my muscles started working again and that lymph began to flush as intended.

If you choose to chase this problem with further correction, my concern would be that anything you did would not have the end result you want long term. For example, if you choose to add filler to diminish the malar bag, what will that filler look like once your Botox has worn off, but your filler is still going strong?

I didn't feel like the risk was worth the reward, so I let it be as far as seeking out any treatment. However, I did read a few things that might help diminish the appearance while you wait for your Botox to wear off.

1. Drink lots of water. If you're retaining water because of a high salt or high alcohol diet, staying hydrated can help. I noticed this on myself one day after eating most of a bag of Doritos. It was a lot of salt and the next day my bags were terrible. I made sure to drink a lot of water and that really helped.

2. Cut down on the salt.

3. Cut down on the alcohol.

Anything that can make you feel puffy and bloated is not something you need in your life right now.

4. Try sleeping in an elevated position. I noticed that my bags were always worse on the side I sleep on. Being a left side sleeper it meant the left side of my face had a much larger bag than the right side. An elevated pillow can help, if you're able to sleep on your back at night. I already had one on hand from when I had surgery on my arm, so that was an easy fix.

5. Ice packs. Anything you'd use to help un-puff (I made that up) your face in the morning will be a good thing right now. If you have a gel pack to cool your eyes, a bag of peas, etc. that might take some of the swelling down.

6. Antihistamines. This is something I read on the boards I was looking at. Some of the women thought perhaps their under eye bags were worse because it was allergy season, so they kept up with their antihistamines and noticed diminished swelling. I'm not advocating taking an antihistamine if you don't already take them for allergies, just don't forget them if they're a part of your normal routine.

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BOTOX CAUSED UNDER EYE BAGS
HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?

Everything I read said that under eye bags after Botox will typically resolve themselves as the Botox wears off. So, if what you're seeing is lymph and not fat, that should start to gradually diminish as your muscles are able to start contracting again.

If the reason for your bags is that the fat pad has poked through the lax muscle wall, I would think that would resolve as well when your muscles get their ability to move again.

However, some women have reported their under eye bags worse after Botox and that this didn't go away. Some of the posts go back years with the women stating that the bags are still there, where they either had not been before, or had not been as bad before.

I would think, in most cases, the bags will go away once the Botox loses its ability to work. Once that happens, the lymph will begin to flush again, and (hopefully) if you're dealing with protruding fat, the muscles will once again close over it.

That said, I think that the women who have long lasting issues with this are the women who have the fat protrude and it doesn't go back, for whatever reason. But, that is my totally non medical opinion.

I go for Botox about twice a year, so I was ready to wait six months to see things get back to normal. Thankfully they got back to normal (mostly) after about two months, and I hope they continue on that path.

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PUFFINESS UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX
FINAL THOUGHTS

The main thing I'm taking away from this event is that I will no longer be getting Botox under my eyes. I'll continue to get it on my forehead, crow's feet above my lower lid, between my brows, etc, but anything under the eyes, from here on out, is a no go.

For me it's just too much of a risk. That skin is very thin, it's very likely to show any imperfections, and even though we're told Botox will wear off at a certain pace, you can't quite be sure what the side effects will be while it's at its strongest.

Since this is not the first issue I've had under my eyes (I did get filler once, and it's still there, though it's been almost 4 years and everyone says it can't possibly last that long), I know that I'm susceptible, so I'd rather stay away from it altogether.

If you are a person who wants to continue getting Botox under your eyes, but you have had a problem with the bags, speak to your injector. Let him or her know what the issue is, see if there's something they can do like possibly injecting less, or injecting further away from the lymph nodes, etc.

I hope this has helped, and by all means, if you have any questions, let me know. I'm always happy to help if I can.

Ty

165 Comments

RECENT POSTS

Isa

9/15/2020 12:40:36 pm

Hi Ty,

thank you for your candid post and sharing your story! you have no idea what relief i felt finding your blogpost as i ruminated what had happened to me and if i will be “disfigured” forever. my story resembles yours - i have had botox for 2years and die to covid couldn’t travel to berlin, so found another injector here that i was recommended by a friend. he looked at me carefully and suggested injecting botox under my eyes as i have thin skin that is crepey when i smile. i had one injection under each eye and several to my forehead - 2 weeks later my check up- not much change, a little puffy eyes- he suggested injecting more and gave me 3 addtl under each eye. the next few days i got puffy eyes like if i had allergies, but not directly an eye bag but further below and more severe on my left eye. even my mom commented. i felt terrible, i felt tension when i smiled and my skin was taut and even more wrinkly when i smiled - i felt beyond ugly and worried that i ruined my face. searching online and realself and becoming very confused and worried reading others stories, looking older than before and fearing i have irreversible damage (not to mention the money down the drain). how has it improved for you now? it’s been 3 weeks since my second injection and it has gotten a littler better already. i will have a follow up with the doc - who on the phone indicated we should inject more - but i will decline - forehead maybe, but under the eyes just seems like a poor idea. please tell
me that you see further improvement and give me hope :) and i will for sure wait until the botox effect wears off (it was allergan) and then try to travel again to my precious doc (galderma). your article gave me comfort and hope! thanks
isabel

Sheila (Ty The Hunter)

9/15/2020 07:15:05 pm

Hey Isa. I can reassure you that my bags are gone now. It took a solid two months, maybe even a bit longer, but they have disappeared. It was subtle at first, and they would go away then come back, but eventually they didn’t come back, not even after a meal with more salt than I normally eat. I will also never have any injections under my eyes again. I’m glad you declined further units. Hopefully yours will go away totally in the next few weeks!

shannon

2/10/2021 04:25:38 pm

Ladies thank you so much for sharing. I too had under eye botox in November (5 units under each) and have extreme puffines and swelling under just one eye. It is terrible and has left me looking aweful as well as feeling pain from the swelling and lines. It has been just over 2 months and I am hopeful for some reprieve soon. It seems to be slowly getting better but I have a long way to go I think. The injector used a different brand (xeomin) and I'm wondering if you know if this lasts longer than normal botox? Also--Should I ask for a refund? I spent just under $600 and was not pleased AT ALL. Thank you in advance and thank you for your post!

Jackie

2/26/2023 12:43:06 pm

Hi Sheila - Just curious if you could provide any current update? I followed all your comments and it seemed some indicated that bags went away, while others seemed to indicate perhaps they did not (?) - It's possible I misunderstood. Mine have improved greatly over the course of 3 months (since receiving the injection) and some days they seem virtually gone - but then they return (of course never as bad as originally and always still improving) - I would love to have some hope, if yours in fact did go away! Thank you so much. Jackie

Leonila

12/28/2021 08:04:56 pm

Hi I have the same problem. I have crows feet Botox done for the first time . Amazingly the wrinkles on that part has gone but sadly it creates new wrinkles under my eyes between my nose.. It looks horrible I couldn’t smile as I look like an alien. I just can’t wait for this Botox wears off. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one..

Alison

2/19/2022 01:43:39 pm

Same for me.. had Botox for the first time 2 weeks ago for crows feet (12 units each eye), and against my better judgement 2 units under each eye for “jellyrolls”. I am left with more wrinkles under my eyes that before Botox, and terrible eye bags. I can’t even look at myself. I talked with my injector, and she was not very helpful at all. I won’t ever be getting Botox again. I’m hoping that the Botox will wear off sooner than 3 months since this my first time. I’m scared that my face will never look like it did before.

9/20/2020 06:45:11 am

Thanks Sheile, I am glad to hear its getting better for you and i keep my fingers crossed it will reverse in my case as well - with time. it’s a bit better already but i also see some days are milder and others show greater bags although i may have had a lot of rest. and they are not the “typical” eye bags, as they sit lower, like a second ring on top of the upper cheekbone. oh well, i will have to be patient and see it wear off and let that be a lesson for future injections ;) take care and thanks for sharing your story! isa

Sarah

1/7/2021 12:00:57 pm

Isa, have you had any luck with their going away on their own. I am in the same spot. I had the botox on 10/19 and they are still there. I am so frustrated.

2/10/2021 04:26:48 pm

Same Sarah...mine were done 11/18 and it's now 02/10 and it's still there...what brand of botox did they use for you? They used xeomin for mine. NEVER AGAIN!

Angie

10/19/2023 09:42:39 am

Hi Isa, I know you posted a long time ago-- how have things turned out please. I have a roll/bag right on top of my under eye cheek bone from under eye botox and wondering how it will turn out as I endure this miserable waiting game.

Donna

9/30/2020 01:17:09 pm

Hi I have this awful problem I’m laying in my hotel bed in holiday and I feel totally ugly I gave big droopy eye bags due to Botox injections ,really puffy and saggy in the morning do get slightly better through the day but not much .I just want my face back to normal it’s so upsetting and only been 3 weeks so I have weeks to wait 😪x

10/13/2020 12:08:44 pm

Hey Donna, how is it going now? It's been what, a couple of months? Are the bags any better?

10/13/2020 02:42:31 pm

Hi, love it’s been around a month they are better but not normal still have pouches I never had before but thankfully not as bad!i had my lips injected with 2ml of filler never again this isn’t my face at all I have learnt a hard lesson from now on just gonna be me I look
So much prettier without all that shit,can’t wait for it to all be gone xxx

Anna

10/13/2020 12:00:53 pm

I had dysport in December beside my eyes and my swelling never went away. I'm quite upset it damaged my eye shape as I never went back to normal and the swelling is worse and unpredictable. I'm in my 20's so I should have never ever had it in the first place the woman who did it was a psychopath honestly. I have huge eye bags now too that were not as bad before. Like the muscle has totally been eaten away. Stay away from eye injections. They can cause permanent damage 100% because it happened to myself.

10/13/2020 12:08:08 pm

Hey Anna, I'm sorry you're going through it. Has it been a whole year almost and you're still having problems? Have you been to see anyone about it, maybe you could get an injection to dissolve anything that might be left? Yes, I agree with you about getting stuff done around our eyes, it's so easy to be talked in to it, but the results can be really terrible and quite unpredictable.

Lisa

12/31/2022 10:18:17 am

Hi ladies, so sorry to hear all about your horrific experiences. The same has happened to me too. I have been having Botox injections for 6 years with no issues. As I moved house I tried a new injector who was not as experienced as my previous one but was local. I usually have them twice a year (every 6 months) but stupidly had them again after 3 months as I read somewhere that Botox becomes less effective the more you have it. Anyway I had my bunny lines done, 11’s, forehead and crows feet. I think the bunny lines (injection was in corner of the the inner eye area) was the cause of my malar bags. Initially 2-3 month my eyes watered constantly causing the skin under my eyes and in the inner corners to become inflamed and dry out and become flaky, red and very sore. (They are still flaky). The swelling was and still is better in the mornings depending on sleeping position (if I stay on my back better, but if I move into one of my sides it’s worse on that side). It gradually gets worse during the day. It’s been 8 months since my Botox injections but happily my malar bags are very slowly improving. Luckily I cancelled my 2 week follow up.
The following things have helped:
1. Reduced alcohol- especially rum and diet coke as it caused a lot of inflammation to my eye lids top and bottom, causing them to swell and become red, itchy and very sore. However, Prosecco is fine now with no effects :) NB. I drink a max of 4 units of alcohol a week, sometimes 0 a week.
2. Sleeping on my back - really helps. If I go onto my one of my sides then that side is worse. I have a wedge pillow and tried to sleep elevated. Definitely better results that sleeping flat on my back but I did not find it comfortable and so reverted to flat on my back.
3. I have allergies so taking Benadryl daily helped me a lot - I’m still taking it but have tried every other day from last week and seems to be keeping the swelling down.
4. Massaging around the eyes and draining to the preauricular and submandibular lymph nodes really reduced my malar bags. Using Ty’s diagram helped!
5. Recently tried icing the area for 10 mins using Charlotte Tilbury cryo face mask and this helped too. So will try to carry on with this. I have just ordered the eye serum that goes with the mask and supposedly helps to reduce puffiness around the under eye area.
6. I drink 1 litre of water a day, sometimes more- sipping it over the course of the day. I can’t say I’ve noticed it making a difference. I only drink 2 coffees a day and the rest of the time peppermint tea, 3-4 a day.
7. I don’t eat a lot of salt so thought I’d try eating a large bag of Doritos to see if it affected me. To be honest I didn’t notice my malar bags getting worse. I ate salted peanuts the next day and again no noticeable side effects.

Overall I think for me I’ll keep doing the things above that work for me and give it 24 months in total from when I had my Botox injections before I seek any medical intervention as I read elsewhere it can take that long to resolve itself but if it has n’t by then, then seek medical advice. If that’s the case for me, I’ll see a reputable plastic surgeon.
One further thing to add is that in 2016 I did have tear trough fillers and this caused swelling under my eyes, ( I only did it the once) so like Ty I’m wondering if this has been a factor in my malar bags lasting so long. Again on the internet the experts reckon that fillers should dissolve after a year but I know my tear trough fillers lasted longer and I had issues with it for 2years.

Patricia Lopez

11/12/2020 10:45:37 pm

Hello Anna how are you now? Any difference?

Tadeja

1/1/2021 05:32:05 am

Hi Anna.. How are your eyes/bags now..?
I have the same story... I am waiting now 6 months already but its not much better. :(

10/9/2023 09:34:39 am

Hello..
i have same problem. Botox caused malar bags.. How are your under eyes now? Any improvement?

deborah bao

10/28/2020 05:55:56 am

OMG the same thing happened to me the injector is denying this and my problem is so bad and I DIIDN'T ASK HER TO INJECT THE SIDE OF MY EYES!!!!!! its almost 3 months and I look like a freak!!! Im going to another pastic surgeon to see if he can help me and I looked so beautiful before I got free botox because I got breast implants

10/28/2020 01:15:13 pm

Hi Deborah. I am so sorry you're going through this. :( I just want to clarify, she did inject the side of your eyes, right? Or did she not inject the sides of your eyes and the Botox traveled? I am due to go back in for a touch up, and I am definitely not letting her anywhere near my eyes, I may not even let her do my crow's feet.

Let us know what your doctor says. Everything I have read says that you should not chase it with correction and that it will resolve on its own, but I'd like to hear what a doctor says.

Mine is resolved now, but it did take a solid three months to go away, maybe even a bit more.

I hope this passes for you soon.

Deborah Bao

11/13/2020 03:39:43 am

Thanks! I’m going to see another plastic surgeon this week it looks a tiny bit better that’s all! I’m so upset Becki never asked the PA to inject my eyes on the side!!!!

Nancy

10/30/2020 07:04:08 am

I learned a lot from your post. AGree about the deniers on Realself. :) I have had Dysport or Botox for years. I am usually very pleased with the results, but I ended up with unsightly bags like Isa described, "as they sit lower, like a second ring on top of the upper cheekbone." They appeared a few days after being injected. My injections were forehead, sides of eyes and my "elevens". My eyelids are also more hooded than they were, which was the reason to go in. I followed up at the two week mark and the injector (new to me as I moved) told me that it was swelling, advised me to do Benedryl at night, which I haven't done yet. But, I look so much worse and will probably not do injections again. I hope it goes away soon. Will try the more water route and pray that it wears off. The other thing the injector told me was that I was unfortunately among the 26% of people who have this side-effect. 26%? Those aren't great odds, IMO.

10/30/2020 07:36:14 am

P.S. I have found that I cannot have forehead injections at all as they increase my hoodedness. I told the injector that and he said it wasn't the case. I have to learn to be my own advocate. I know what I know and should have insisted that I not get this injection site.

10/30/2020 11:27:13 am

Hi Nancy, I'm so sorry you're having this issue. I hate that it appears to be so common, yet it's not something any of us were told could even be a possibility. I'm so nervous to have any more Botox, even the frown lines on my forehead. This is definitely something where we need to look at the possible side effects and ask ourselves whether or not losing those wrinkles is worth it...
I hope your face is back to normal quickly.

Christiann

1/16/2023 05:08:54 am

Hi Nancy,

I’m wondering if yours got better and how long it took? Sadly, I have the same thing going on. I’ve had Botox done several times in the past, but this time, I had the crows feet and it caused major puffiness under my eyes and I got the hooded eyes. I’m praying it goes away. It’s been 3 weeks. I definitely noticed it’s worse when I drink and when I have high sodium. You should have seen me the day after a few bloody Mary’s! I was unrecognizable.
I’m super bummed and am going to try all the recommendations on here.

isa

10/30/2020 11:26:39 am

Hi Nancy,
sorry to hear!
it’s been a little over 2 months for me now and it had gotten better, but not gone yet. when i tilt my head like Ty did on her photo, it’s still there, and mostly on my left eye. Some days it is better and barely visible, on other days it is back and a bit more severe. I don’t have an explanation and cannot see a direct correlation to salt or food intake. you will have to be patient, but it should get better and hopefully it will fully reverse after 4-5months...

i found a video on youtube that was very enlightening for me - here it is (i have no affiliation with them, just searched for side effects botox and this came up) https://youtu.be/7UqSXw-4MKU
take care, ladies!

10/30/2020 03:55:14 pm

That was a super clear video. Thanks for sharing.

Emmy

1/3/2021 03:54:10 pm

Where did you read about the 26%

1/7/2021 02:02:28 pm

I didn't read about it. The injector mentioned it when I went in to complain two weeks after my injections.

Elena

11/21/2020 10:38:44 am

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!! My crows feet were starting to show because my last Botox was wearing off. The lady I went to added some Botox in the crows feet area and she asked if I wanted some for my bunny lines too. I'd never gotten Botox near my nose, but I said sure. Big mistake.

1. When I smile, the skin under my eyes crinkles in a way it never had before. It almost looks like reverse crows feet that start at the bottom corner of my inner eye.
2. When I smile, my nose looks longer, like the tip points down more. I look kind of scary, like a witch, so I have been trying to smile differently.
3. The skin under my eyes and on the top of my cheek look older, tired. I did have dark circles under my eyes, but not bags. Now it looks like I have bags.
4. The skin where my bottom eye lashes are also look puffy, especially in the morning. One eye looks puffier than the other. I think this is called a jelly roll and it looks like it's bulging.
5. My overall face looks different. I really think that bad Botox changed the features of my face. Can't wait for this to wear off.

It was a huge mistake getting this Botox done. I did it hastily because I was going to see family in a few days and I didn't want them to say anything about my crows feet. Instead, they noticed the lose skin under my eyes. I also had a to postpone a full face fat transfer procedure I was going to get done for my birthday to correct all the volume loss I've had, but because of this bad Botox, I had to postpone the procedure 5 months so all the effects of the Botox wears off. Lesson is to only go to doctors who really know what they are doing, and not make quick decisions regarding altering your face. I usually only pick the best doctors, but I messed up this time. I'm seeing this as a blessing in disguise because at least Botox is reversible. This is making me see how easy it is to mess up one's face, and that maybe a few crows feet aren't so bad. I don't look like me right now. I miss me. When I look at pictures from before the bad Botox, I think I looked so good then. Funny thing is that back then, I didn't think I looked so good. This has taught me to appreciate my natural look, my real smile, with crows feet and all.

11/21/2020 02:46:11 pm

Hi Elena. I am so sorry you had this reaction as well. Hopefully it does go away soon. Like you, I believe I'm going to be too wary to continue with any sort of Botox. I will stick to chemical peels, but anything beyond that...I think this has scared me off of it. You just never know when something like this could permanently affect the features of our faces. :( Mine did go away, so I have high hopes that yours will as well.

Ladina

12/3/2020 03:33:20 am

Hi Ty, I experienced the same thing over a year ago. It got better, but didn't go away completely. Unfortunately. I swore to never do Botox for my crows feet again, but here I am, tempted to just do the sides and the upper part (no injections below the outer corner of the eye). So same as you actually. Therefore I wanted to ask whether you already did it. And if yes, if all went well.
Does anybody else have experience with that?
Feedback very much appreciated.

margo

12/23/2020 10:18:00 am

I go to a well-known dermatologist in NYC where I have had some filler to cheeks and Fraxel. I have not had Botox in the past but this doctor suggested Botox. The first time was fine. They do Fraxel, filler and Botox on the same day. I went in for all three in early October. Two weeks later, I saw bags under my eyes and another set of bags/lines on cheek. It has been just three months,still have them. The skin under my eye/upper cheek is wrinkly which it never was before. My under eye area was always smooth. I am hoping this will resolve by the 4th month-end of January. (??)
It is confusing as I don't know whether it is filler or Botox causing the problem although I have never had anything like this happen before with filler.
I am wondering how others that posted are doing? Any other info is appreciated.

12/23/2020 10:42:38 am

Hi Margo. I wish I could say whether it was the filler or Botox, but there's really no way to tell. My bags are gone for the most part, but it has been 6 months. I still don't feel that they look like they did before, but it's definitely close. Hopefully your face will go back to normal and then you can try just the filler or just the Botox and see if one or the other causes it to happen again. Or, you might be like me and end up swearing off anything aside from chemical peels. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

Sandra

7/22/2021 10:52:18 am

Hi Margo! I feel so surprised that so many women have similar side effects. I had 30 units of Botox applied on the side and under my eyes. Five days afterwards they applied Laser Cutera + IPL + Fraxel, even though I told them I was afraid it would be too much for my skin. They assured me it was perfectly ok. However a few days afterwards I got two big bumps on the sides of my eyes on the temples' area and also over each malar, creating a view of a mask. These edemas look horrible and also get worse depending on the day. My eyes are swallowed and I never felt uglier before. I had these treatment before travelling just to enjoy the summer in Sweden and instead I'm now confined in my room unable to face the outside or enjoy anything. My doctor (back in SouthAmerica) is not taking any responsibility. She says it will go away by itself. I'm desperate. The malar bags are prominent and the balls on the temples are really awful. Not getting any better after 2 weeks. Hope to find a solution. I'm now looking for a clinic or doctor to get a sonogram or so to see what these edemas are made of.
Any clues, ideas, or advice will be more than welcome.

1/6/2021 11:21:24 am

Hi Ladina!
I have the EXACT same issue. I am horrified by it. It wasn't until just today that I realized the cause of this. I thought at first it was just due to my aging and/or too much salt intake and alcohol. It's worse to know that a procedure, for which I paid a lot, caused this. I am praying it goes away. I dind't notice this issue until about 3 weeks after the Botox. It was the first time I increased my crowsfeet units; this is now the result. My biggest question: WILL this go away?

margo margolis

1/7/2021 01:55:56 pm

Like Sarah,my under eye bags did not show up until two weeks after injections. I am curious to hear from others if they are back to normal and how long it took It has been 3 months for me and I have read Botox can last until 4 months and sometimes longer. Be good to hear from those who have had resolution and how long it took. Anyone do anything to help the situation?

Virginia Castillo

3/16/2022 12:20:12 am

It's been 8 months and I still have bags under my eyes after botox for crows feet and between my eyes. I keep hoping they will go away. One eye is worse than the other.

Have you found out any solutions.

3/16/2022 07:32:00 am

Hi Virginia, I'll tell you what I did to help my bags go away, but this is not medical advice and I have no idea whether or not it is good or bad for your face.

I knew that my bags were the build up of fluid since my muscles that clear that fluid had been paralyzed. After about a year of just letting the Botox wear off and seeing that I still sometimes had bags (especially in the morning), I decided to try and help my body clear the fluid.

In the morning when I would apply my face lotion I would put a little extra on my fingers and gently press the fluid down and to the side, so down and then also toward my ears, if that makes sense.

I did find this to help a lot. I do it each day now and the bags are the smallest they have ever been, but I did not talk to a doctor first and I have no idea if this is harming anything. I just know that I'm not going to correct the bags with surgery or more injections, so this is something I'm willing to do.

That might help you.

Good luck!

Ellie

8/8/2023 04:28:10 am

Hi Virginia!
Red your post and I’m wondering if your eye bags after the Botox has gotten any better?
I have the same thing after getting Botox around my eyes. The effect of the Botox should have gone out by now, but these horrible bags are still there.
I’ve decided to wait longer before I go to a plastic surgeon, and wonder if you have any updates on how things is going for you now even some more time has passed? Are the bags still there or are you doing better?

1/3/2021 06:03:08 am

Thank you so much for this article. We need to speak up about this and not let injectors and the industry get away not fully informing patients of risks. I have had several different people do injections. Not once has anyone followed up about their work. I also appreciate the light shed on realself which seems more patient centered than it really is.

jade

1/9/2021 06:53:45 pm

hi i have the same problem'
i've done this 3 times before never had any problem
since i moved to vegas found a new one
this happened
and it's already been 3 month .........

Megan

1/11/2021 10:09:59 pm

Ladies thank you all for answering this post. I had the EXACT same experience with my Botox. I went to an incredible med spa the first time I ever got Botox and the lady did a fantastic job and took her time. The second time I went, I was out of town and did it in a rush before Christmas. HUGE mistake. The lady literally injected me in less than 10 minutes with 40 units, which really disturbed me. I told her I was worried and sketched out at how quickly she did that, but two weeks later, my under eyes looked fine. No major swelling. It has now been a little over 4 weeks since I got injected, and a few days ago, I noticed absolutely horrible bags under my eyes that were so puffy. It looks as if I have ledge of fluid build up that looks worse based on the ways I position my face. In one position, it legitimately looks like I got punched in the face because of how puffy they look. My face looks completely different as a result. I’m terrified of my face never looking the same again. My wrinkles now look even worse and MORE “crepe-y” than before. I’m furious and scared and panicked. I’m never getting injected under my eyes again. But I just need some hope that they will start going back to normal because call me vain all you want, I legitimately can’t stand looking in the mirror at myself now and just want to cry every time I do. It’s really affecting my life and I’m scared... thank you ladies for all your stories and support. Y’all are helping me through this ❤️

1/12/2021 05:39:23 am

Hi Megan,
I had the exact same with regard to timing. The bags came overnight four/five weeks after my last treatment. Apparently this is when the Botox is at its max. This is now almost 1.5 years ago. It got slightly better, but my bags are still there and they are always the worst in the morning. I went trough the same emotional breakdown as you and I still can't accept it. Ever since it happened I did a lot of research, talked to many doctors (some denied this is caused by Botox) and now I decided to do lower lid surgery, because the Botox has clearly worn off a long time ago. You may be luckier than me and eventually it will get better. If not, you may find comfort in the fact, that you can have the bags removed with surgery. I found this page that provides a lot of info (also why the bags are worse in the morning): https://prasadcosmeticsurgery.com/lower-eyelift/ I don't know this doctor (I live in Switzerland), so please don't take it as a recommendation. I just find it pretty helpful. And it's a backup plan :)
All the best for you.

1/12/2021 05:57:26 am

Hi Ladina,
Thanks for writing and giving an update with your information. I am wondering what you tried and what if anything worked to help the situation?
Have you/ had you considered Thermage , laser or radiofrequency therapies? I am about 3 1/2 months from the time of injection and feeling distressed.

3/1/2021 02:27:16 pm

Hi Margo,
I still didn't try anything. I've been looking into treatments for quite a while now, but I keep getting mixed messages from doctors. Not only don't they believe me that Botox is the cause for my bags, but also they all suggest different treatments. The main suggestion is filler (Hyaluron) to even out the bags. They suggest to not directly inject it into the tear trough, but to build up the cheek so that the eye/cheek transition gets smoother. The reason I guess is that I'm rather young and that the bags are not super bad, so they prefer filler (or own body fat) over surgery. However, I'm super scared to add more injectables, since I fear that this might make everything worse, especially in the morning. So if any of you girls with the same pre-conditions has experience with that, please share.
All the best to you, Margo!

8/7/2023 10:36:53 am

Hi Ladina!
Did you get better? Have you gone through with the surgery? Hope you are doing better!
I have the same problem with malar bags under the eyes/on top of my cheeks after a botox injection four months ago. This will not go away. (I never had any eye bags before the botox under my eyes and regret so much that I did this.) I’ll give it some more time but I’m thinking of having surgery to get some help.

I have read that there’s nothing to do and the bags will come back after surgery because it’s the lymphatic system that is not working properly anymore. So even after surgery the problem will still be there. They can tighten the skin and move the fat, but the tendency to collect fluid under the eyes will remain. I really hope there’s something to do to make it better!

I see this is an old post, but if you or anyone else that reads this has done surgery for this problem after Botox I would be so grateful to hear about it!

Sheila thank you so much for this video! The nurse that did this injection here in Sweden tells me this has nothing to do with the Botox she injected. I’m so sorry this happened to you and everyone else here, but at least it feels good not to be the only one with this problem.

1/18/2021 04:27:59 pm

I have been waiting 4 months now for my bags to go back to normal, they are better but definitely different from before, I'm praying in another few months it goes as it has made me look older and tired. The injector added a little bit of filler a couple weeks after the botox to try and puff out the droopy ledges, I'm not sure if its the filler looking lumpy now or the botox?never again.....I really hope with all my heart all you ladies go back to your normal selfs we don't deserve this.my injector tried telling me she had never heard or seen it before and that my eyes where baggy in the first place ,they wasn't at all and she didn't believe the botox had caused it ...PLEASE..!!

Sandy k

2/6/2021 11:55:08 am

Hello
I had a similar experience which started about 18 months ago, bags started to appear after each Botox application, but my injector assured me it could not be from Botox.
My eyes were heavier and looked smaller as the puffiness took over.
I spent months and so much time agonising and ruminating over what it could be, finding quick fix solutions and scouring the internet for a cause- it destroyed my confidence and consumed my thoughts.
The only thing that worked somewhat was lymphatic drainage, so that may be useful for some reading this.
Finally I changed injectors and they used dysport, which was horrendous for the bags. It lasted 4 months at peak puffiness. Bags appeared significantly worse at 2 weeks (worse after alcohol) and eventually the puffiness would spread to the hoods as well.
Its now been 6 months with out any injections and they have gone entirely. I do have more pronounced creepiness and lines under my eyes from the skin stretching, but it’s a trade off... I don’t think I could ever risk another injectable under my eye.
Ladies, let’s all just learn from this. I think about the time lost, the pain, the heartache and the fear I have put myself through..all because I wanted to look better.
My learning has been: When we over examine each tiny physical attribute in isolation of course they will not be perfect, but take a step back and try to see ourselves how others do.. the full picture. Health and happiness ultimately bring more beauty than vanity, insecurity and the pursuit of a quick fix to look better.

Patricia

2/6/2021 01:57:17 pm

Thank you Sandy K for writing this. It just somehow makes me feel a little better when I know I am not alone. It has been 8 months since my Botox injection under my eyes and the overal general puffiness has decreased but I am left with lumps on the side of one eye and on the bottom at my orbital rims of both eyes. I look tired and older and the bags are worse in the mornings but are definitely there all day. Every time I get out of work, I just want to get home, shower and hide away and cry feeling bad about my eyes and not knowing if the lumps will ever go away!

2/6/2021 02:26:25 pm

Patricia, it’s a horrible feeling... alone, a little scared and feeling like you won’t be the same again. Nothing is permanent, our bodies change and while you can’t answer what is happening right now, it will continue to evolve. What got me through was that thought, it will pass. And if it doesn’t, I don’t want to do more damage to myself by freaking out over it. Is there someone you can talk to? Often the simple act of sharing reminds you of the person you are underneath. Take care x

2/12/2021 11:55:59 am

Sandy,
I also had Dysport. Curious do you think it was worse than botox? The end of February will be the 5th month and I still have the bags-sometimes seems slightly better but still there.
I am wondering if it takes 6 months to finally resolve?
I am afraid that the edema is causing the skin to stretch and wrinkle. Anyone have experience with that?
I have read the Genius Infini Radio frequency microneedling device helps with malar bags/festoons.
Would love to hear updates from others.
Thanks all!

3/21/2021 08:12:51 am

Hi Sandy, I'm sorry that I just saw this. I did have Dysport and not actual "Botox" brand name when I did this, and it did take a solid six months for mine to resolve. My bags did get tight, but not fluid filled enough to wrinkle. The issue did go away, no lasting effect. As far as micro needling, while I have had that done, everything I have read has said not to chase this with correction. How are you doing now/

Ana

1/10/2023 05:25:09 am

Hi Margo, did your eye bags resolved?

Joyce

2/16/2021 05:24:30 pm

I wish I read this a couple months earlier. Unfortunately, I am a member of this club. I have “the bags” too. I feel I look older with the bags than I did with the crows feet.

7/22/2021 03:12:58 pm

Same for me! My eyes look smaller and tired under the shadow of the malar bags and lumps on the sides. I wish I had never done this!!!!

2/16/2021 05:34:07 pm

Hello everyone. Can you all help me figure something out?
I’m on my 8th month post Botox under my eyes. Ever since the injections, one of my main concerns has been lumps along my orbital rim on both eyes with my left eye worse. I can see these lumps a lot more when I move my mouth down, as in the motion that we do when we apply mascara on our lashes. I know that these lumps can be residual volbella filler that I had injected at my tear trough seven months prior to the Botox. Can anybody who did not have filler under their eyes tell me if they also see these lumps along their orbital rims after botox, or is it just overall bags of edema and swelling that you see? Thank you in advance!

Shannon

2/16/2021 06:13:47 pm

Hi Janice -
I have not had filler and have a couple of tiny lumps and incredible puffiness and added lines under my left eye. Ive had under eye Botox (Xeomin) and nothing but problems. Also too much was injected in my forehead and I had the hooded eyes/droopyness
Happen which thankfully was corrected with an eye brow lift after I called just furious. My under eye issue seems to come and go but is mostly there all day every day, and has also been painful and upsetting to look at. I spent a lot of money and now feelI look way older and puffier. I’m praying it gets better in time.

Isa and others- did your under eye swelling, lines and lumps ever go away? How do you do lymphatic drainage under the eye?

Thank you all this has been so hard and such a trying journey. <3

7/22/2021 03:16:59 pm

Exactly the same for me! Only Botox, no fillers, and the malar bags and lumps are driving me crazy. I don't know when they will fade away. I can't wait to see my face normal again. I look at myself in the mirror and want to cry.

1/17/2023 07:53:52 am

Hi Sandra, how are you doing now?

Margo

3/1/2021 03:58:29 pm

Dear Ladina,
Thanks for your response. My bags are getting better but I am concerned that because the skin was stretched with edema, it will be wrinkly so I have been looking into procedures that can tighten under eye. It was smooth before. I found some articles about the research by Dr Roy Geronemus at Laser Skin Surgery of New York on Infini Genius for removing malar bags/festoons. He had success and this was also written about on Realself by Dr Stephen Weiner.
I actually go to that practice in NYC and will look into this. I will let you know.
hope you will post about your progress.

10/6/2021 09:55:17 am

Hello Margo! Do you have any updates that you can share with us? Did you speak to those doctors in NYC?

3/21/2021 01:59:11 am

Ughh I am 2 weeks in of this! And feel so ugly it’s very traumatic .. I’m so glad I found you’re page and to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel .. but so many weeks to go :(((( I don’t even know how to explain this to people ... other than lie .. and not smile! I look absolutely horrendous if I smile... sorry to everyone else having to go through this.. ps I thought after I saw the needle marks why are they so close to my under eyes... I just pray it wears off quickly and leaves no permanent damage .. I am also going to try antihistamine and light therapy for inflammation .. Txs everyone

3/21/2021 08:16:27 am

Hi V. I'm sorry you're going through this, it sucks. :( I hope it resolves quickly for you. Definitely do the antihistamine (I did read that works for a lot of people), sleep with some elevation, and try cool compresses on your face in the morning. I just had Botox again a few weeks ago, ONLY did the forehead, explained what happened last time, and she made a note of it. The issue did not come back, so hopefully it happens the same for you as well. Keep us posted as to when the bags do go away, if you happen to remember to come back here.

Sandy

3/31/2021 07:43:13 pm

Ugh. Thank you---I am so happy I found this post. I am dealign with this now and it is horrible. I guess I just have to endure it until it goes away.

You said you feel like your filler is still present---I feel the same way. Does it ever go away??

4/1/2021 07:28:08 am

Hi Sandy. I don't believe my filler has gone away. It's not as noticeable now (I feel like I have less days where it's super visible), so perhaps it is going away, but very slowly. I think I've had it now for more than three years, and it's still there. Hopefully yours goes away faster than mine has. :)

4/1/2021 03:01:38 pm

Thank you Sheila---it's also been a few years. Am kicking myself because I had already sworn off botox but agreed to have it done after I did an IPL session---my doc said I likely had an inexperienced injector. Nope.

So bad. :( I got it Feb 4 and am counting the days---I wear glasses to help camouflage. I just hope it goes away fully and...never again.

It was so great to find your post and be heard.

kristen

4/1/2021 01:49:48 pm

Hi Sheila,

I'm currently having the same issue two weeks post-Botox and this blog has been such a comfort. I was wondering if any of the techniques you described were particularly helpful -- right now, icing seems to be a little useful, but the bags aren't responding to anything else. When you say two months before they went away almost fully, when did you see them begin to resolve? I'm so hopeful I'll be at least able to see signs of improvement early. Thank you so much.

4/1/2021 02:40:21 pm

Hi Kristen. I'm sorry you're dealing with this, it's very frustrating. The icing each morning did help, but the thing that helped the most was sleeping elevated. If you can get a wedge pillow (like this https://amzn.to/3dqg6yz) it'll help. Just having that fluid not build up at night worked wonders for how it looked during the day. If you don't want to buy a pillow, maybe stack a few so you're comfortable, but get as elevated as you can in the evenings. It's been about a year now since I had mine done and it's pretty much back to normal. If I have a glass of wine (I'm a rare drinker, less than once a month) it'll be puffy in the morning a bit, but that's about it. I really started to notice improvements after a couple of months, and it was basically unnoticeable by anyone other than me after maybe four months. I hope that helps!

Kristen

5/12/2021 01:06:29 pm

Hi Shelia,

I wanted to circle back with an update, since this board had been so helpful to me. I'm about 8 weeks out from the original procedure, and am just now starting to see noticeable improvement. I had one unit under each "jelly roll" and three units on each side of my crow's feet. After a lot of research, I do think I had/have pseudo-herniated fat pads, rather than blocked or slow lymph drainage. My best guess is my injector went too deep or too low on my crow's feet, causing the muscles that support those fat pads to relax. For me, icing and sleeping elevated provided minimal relief -- if anything they helped with general puffiness that I would have had with or without Botox. I think I would have seen more improvement had it been a lymph issue, as you mentioned. I also made a strong effort to work out harder than usual, as well as use an infrared sauna, to expedite the wear-off process. Finally, I limited myself to weekly progress pictures so I would be able to notice changes but also refrain from spiraling. Easier said than done! I'll update again when (hopefully!) everything is back to normal, but wanted to thank you again for creating this space.

Shannon G

10/29/2021 12:46:05 pm

Hi Kristen,

I think I am having the same issue as you. I had botox around my crows feet for the first time 2.5 months ago. I had done botox before, but this was the first time I did it around my crows feet. I regret it because I don't even have any crows feet, I was doing it as a preventative measure and I realized I should never try and fix something that isn't even a problem. I definitely think it's a fat pad issue for me, and the muscle has weakened and caused them to herniate. I was wondering if you could update me on your progress? Have things improved? I'm trying to be patient and not drive myself crazy as it hasn't even been 3 months, but I am just hoping that things won't stay this way. Thanks :)

11/1/2021 11:36:47 am

Hi Shannon,
Ooh I feel your pain! I promise it gets completely back to normal. I saw noticeable improvement by 8 weeks, and almost a full recovery by 12. I would say it took about 3 full months from the time of effect (so maybe 10 days after the Botox injections) to be 100% back to normal.

Shannon Gia

11/1/2021 11:54:22 am

Thank you so much for responding so fast Kristen! Kind of crazy, a few days after I posted i finally started to see an improvement. It's been about two months and two and a half weeks since the injections (I've been counting down the days, haha) so really hoping that within the next two weeks or so things will be back to normal. But I already feel some relief. Thank you for the reassurance!!

4/1/2021 02:35:18 pm

Did anyone notice fat pads under the eyes after Botox injection under the eye? What I mean by this is- when I pull my lower lid down with my hands as if pushing my cheeks down, I can see lumps under my eyes and I believe these are herniated fat pads. Did anyone notice this?

Debbie

4/4/2021 05:09:47 pm

SAME HERE :( got Botox for the FIRST time for crows feet & unfortunately didn’t do any research she injected under my eyes & my left eye she did closer to my temple since she did my right eye under my brow first & it instantly left a huge bruise so she decided to not do the same on my left & the puffiness of my left eye is crazy!!! It started happening exactly 5 weeks after Botox my left eye looks crazy the puffy lumps go from my outer corner down & just above my cheek bone like a V I’m on vacation & thank goodness we have to wear masks everywhere U G H!!!!! Can’t wait till the Botox wears off because never again! Plus I did 10 units on each eye & I still have crow feet I don’t even feel like it made a difference except now I have added weird lumps of puffiness added to the wrinkles. If I decide to do anything like this again I will definitely do my research & make sure this never happens again! I went to a very reputable medspa & the injector is always booked months out.

4/4/2021 08:18:13 pm

Hi Debbie will you keep us updated at 3 months, 6 months and so forth? Praying for you and everyone affected by this. I’m at 10 months and under some lighting it seems to be looking back to normal so I try and give myself hope and I tell myself it is getting better. I avoid looking in the mirror as often as I can. I keep hoping and praying...

3/16/2022 12:34:11 am

It's bern 10 months and I still have bags under my eyes and dark circles. Regret getting Botox crws feet and between eyes.

Brianne

4/11/2021 07:58:57 pm

Thank You so much for sharing your experience. I went on 4/6/2021. I’ve had dysport and Botox and in the past as well as restalyn silk under my eyes which filled the bags I had been dealing with a lot of my life. I started getting them done in my mid 30s and never had an issue. I have never gotten Botox or dysport under my eyes until last week. I knew it was time to get the filler but I was so unhappy about the lines in my forehead that I wanted that done first. The new injector I went to convinced me to get one injection under each eye to release the wrinkle. I KNEW I NEVER SHOULD HAVE!!! Now I have a bulge under my left eye when I smile and my bags are so prominent. I can’t bare to look at myself in the mirror. I typically try to sleep elevated but will make sure I don’t turn on my sides now! I will try what all of you said, lots of water, eliminate as much salt as I can, decrease alcohol intake, antihistamine.... I plan to go back and show this doctor how wrong he was for doing this!! I am very hesitant to get fillers but the tear trough is sooo deep now. I am mortified. I cannot stand to look at myself I the mirror, let alone even smile. I am so disappointed!

4/12/2021 07:48:29 am

Hi Brianne. I'm so very sorry you're going through this, I can feel your frustration. I don't understand at all, with this being such a prominent issue, how injectors can continue to inject these sites without so much as a "by the way, there's a chance this might happen." Hopefully other ladies will read these comments and do their research before getting injections at the bunny lines. We put so much faith in our injectors, but I wonder how many women this has happened to that just never went back to that injector, so they genuinely have no idea it's an issue. We need to speak up, definitely let the injectors know what is going on. I'm glad you're going to be frank with your doctor. I hope the Botox settles down for you soon.

Brianne Kabil

4/12/2021 07:16:12 pm

Thank you again. I called them today and the doctor is out all week! I have a function to go to Saturday and now I just don’t want to even show my face. Sleeping elevated helped as well as preparationH. But the one side is still bad while the other looks like I was punched in the cheek 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I am going to get some caffeine patches tmrw. Hoping it helps. I basically spent my be day in the bathroom bc I drank so much water hoping it will reduce the puffiness. I just want to cry!

Cristina

4/12/2021 10:59:09 pm

Is this coincidence or could there be an issue with the Botox?
I’ve had under eye injections before without any issues. It had been roughly 15 months since my last injection (covid, ya know), went to the surgeon I see for this and he must’ve overdone it. He did 20 units and most of it around my eyes (maybe 12 units, crows feet and under eyes - 3 pricks).
I’ve had bags under my eyes since the day after the treatment. Also feeling a sensation of heaviness / my skin pulling down around my eyes. I’m worried it could get worse since the effect of the Botox hasn’t peaked yet - that would really stink.
I feel so self conscious about it and.

4/12/2021 11:44:52 pm

Not to mention that my eyebrows are starting to look more and more like straight bars across my face. 😒😑

4/13/2021 07:04:26 am

Hi Cristina. I'm sorry you're going through this. :( I'm not a professional by any means, so I'd definitely talk to your injector. It does sound like what happened to me, especially with the effects happening so soon after treatment. As to your eyebrows, I have heard this can happen if the injections are done too close/too plentiful around the lower forehead, making things kind of look heavy (at least that's how my injector described it). I hope it resolves for your quickly.

8/27/2022 02:26:22 pm

Hi Cristina, did the heaviness go at the end, iI had botox under my eyes without asking for it and now bottom of my eyes feel so heavy and dry, I really hate looking in the mirror too!

4/30/2021 01:53:55 am

Hi everyone,

I have experienced the same. I had it now 16 days ago, but in my case the swelling is more inside (like I can feel pain and pressure on my eyes). I am freaking out and have felt sick for days. I am taking arnica now, I think it helps a bit.

I just hopes it will ever go away.. I feel so sick of it.

4/30/2021 08:19:54 am

Hi E. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I have used Arnica for bruising before, so hopefully it does help with the swelling. Try sleeping elevated, stay hydrated, minimize salt and alcohol, and try cooling compresses on your eyes. All of those things helped me, though it did still take months for it to resolve. It did go away for me, and for many of the ladies who have posted here, so I have every faith it'll go away for you.

Lily

5/4/2021 04:51:01 am

I got micro boxtox done in between my eyebrows a few days before Valentine’s Day (special price)
And again in the jaw line masseter area (it looked like I had flatting gills when I clench my teeth.
1 week after the Botox I noticed my smile was weird one side was up and one side was down. It looked forced.
and now I have bags under my eyes and my smile is Uneven from certain muscle paralyses. I can’t smile properly with our without teeth. I use to love taking photos of my face (not to post but for myself) now I’m so insecure and hate seeing my face in photos. When I smile I look like I’m faking a smile or I’m saying CHEEEESE and it’s very forced and unnatural. I truly regret getting Botox. 2 years ago I got Botox above my eyebrows to lift my eyelids. OMG it was horrible, my eyelids were so heavy I could barely open my eyes. I felt like I was trying to wake up from a strong sleeping tablet. My eyes and forehead were so relaxed it couldn’t lift. I have 3 months before this bad smile and puffy under eyes might wear off. I pray this is not forever. I regret this so much. Advice to self don’t do Botox. Filler can be removed immediately.

5/4/2021 08:57:21 am

Hi Lily. I am so sorry you're dealing with this. I know I say that to everyone, but it's just so true. Having your face not look like your face, not being able to do anything about it, it's a sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach. I wish more ladies would do a lot of research before heading down the Botox path. It definitely has its benefits, but it's easy to get sucked into doing more and more, and then....we have to deal with things like this. Hopefully it wears off quickly.

Jagadamba

5/7/2021 02:41:53 pm

SAME...Botox three months ago, First I had eyelid droop 5 days after injection. So bad I looked like a monster. The Dr. denied that it had anything to do with the Botox. Told me it was my age. He then showed me my before picture and said I had eyelid drooping before. The picture CLEARLY showed no such thing. Now, I have the under eye swelling and bags so bad in the morning. My eyes used to be my prettiest feature, now they are sadly a different shape and I look 10 years older than I did before the Botox. I keep waiting for it to wear off but it just isn't. NEVER will I get injections again.

CAttaylor

8/3/2021 05:05:29 am

Hey, did you eye brow droop improve??

Katty

5/20/2021 08:34:20 am

Hi Sheila/Ty,

Thank you so much for this website. I find it really helpful. I just had my dysport treatment last Thursday (14 May 2021) under my eye. The next day, I started to have rashes under my eye and not only that, I also started to have another line/fold in the lower eyelid apart from the original fold when we smile. Because of that line, my skin have more lines/wrinkles. My left upper eyelid also droop when I smile.

I went to see the nurse to address my concern and she told me that I look swollen as if like there’s a fluid. She compared it with my “before” picture and clearly she admitted it was from dysport. Sometimes it just works strongly and it alters/works against other muscles something like this and that it will wear off in 2-3 months. Will I really believe this? I’m scared that the double lower eyelid fold will permanently be there and won’t go away.

I’m just on my first week and I cannot wait for it to vanish.

Kelly

6/2/2021 12:37:38 pm

I am so pleased to have found this website. Knowing that there are others suffering doesn’t make me feel so alone. I have been getting Botox going on ten years and have never had a problem, until now. Just got Botox 2 weeks ago and almost immediately (couple of days after procedure) noticed horrific “pockets” of what appears to be fluid under both eyes/tops of cheeks. I can actually see the swelling if I look down. It’s so bad that I can’t look in the mirror without crying. My eyes also look distorted and tiny. I had the Botox in my crows feet and bunny lines. I’m just praying that over time this will get better. I’m so embarrassed to be in a social setting. I was so pretty before and now, in my opinion, I look like a monster and I’m so mad at myself because in a way this is self inflicted. I caught my husband staring at me and he asked me if I was ok because my face looked “really weird”.

7/23/2021 09:33:50 am

Hi Kelly! I'm sorry you're dealing with this, it sucks. :( My husband said the same about me, "What's going on under your eyes?" or something. Thankfully it came up so fast after Botox that I knew it had to be related, and since Botox does fade I had high hopes this would fade as well. It did, it's completely gone now (just about a year later, but it's been gone for months and months) so hopefully yours will fade sooner rather than later. :)

10/18/2023 07:19:13 am

Any updates? I could really use some hope right now and am wishing the very best for you.

Lietta

6/8/2021 12:35:14 pm

Hi! I’m italian and i have the same problem…..
I wanted to know if others have solved it and how….
I'm So desperate and i don’t know what ti do anymore…

jaime

6/17/2021 09:38:57 am

I also had botox done 2 weeks ago and had it under eyes by providers suggestion. Next day woke up very swollen under my eyes. I now have weird hollow looking eyes and wrinkles under my eyes I never had before. When I smile they are so bad! How long did most of you wait for this to resolve?

6/18/2021 03:12:52 pm

Hi Jaime. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. It took about six months for mine to fully resolve, but it looked way better in a month or two. If you can sleep elevated that really helped me.

6/27/2021 11:39:59 am

Hi Jamie!!! Have you solved???

7/21/2021 12:05:15 pm

Had Botox injected in the crows feet area (10 units each side) it was my first time. The swelling/puffiness formed under the eyes/top of cheek bone a few weeks after the injections. It has now been just over a year since it was done and there has been no improvement. One side is actually worse than the other, I have tried sleeping elevated, drinking lots of water, limiting salt intake and alcohol. It has not helped. Has anyone seen results with microneedling or other noninvasive procedures? Not willing to do under eye surgery, and will definitely never do Botox again!

Cat

8/3/2021 05:08:43 am

So glad to have found this website!! Guys I have a droopy eye lid and I’m around 5 months in. It doesn’t seem to get any better- it’s on the left side snd makes me have hooden eye lids. Has anyone experienced this and does it finally get better?? Xxx thanks! Xxx

None

8/31/2021 10:38:22 am

I had this too. A few notes that might help others:
- there is one plastic surgeon who uses Botox in this way to determine the cause of the malar bags (is it fat or muscle laxity?).
https://www.asaadiplasticsurgery.com/blog/botox-test-for-malar-bags.aspx He might have a solution.
- I used salt (salty water) compresses to reduce the bags; this was uncomfortable but seemed to work
- I really wanted to try a cream with topical mannitol (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22236612/) but it was hard to find

Mattias

9/7/2021 09:35:53 am

I had Botox done for crows feet 5 july 21. I got one injection on the side of the eyes and three injections under the eyes. The first days after the injections I was very pleased with the results, the crows feet where almost gone, but after about three days the puffiness under the eyes started to develop. It got worse and worse and after a couple of weeks I looked like I had gone a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson.

Nothing seemed to help, I tryed ice under eyes, massage, drinking a lot of water, antihistamin and antiinflamatory. I was realy depresed about it thinking that I had ruined my face for ever.

But after close to two months of the injections the puffines started to disapear and then come back and then disapear again. Maybe its not 100% gone yet but I am not bothered about it anymore.

Just wanted to write this to give you all hope that it will eventually fade away. At least it did for me. Good luck everyone!

9/7/2021 10:42:58 am

Hey Mattias! Thank you so much for sharing your update! I really do think it'll help a lot of people feel reassured that this will pass in time.

Vanessa

7/26/2022 02:25:46 pm

Hello Mattias,
Thank you for the info. I had lower eyelid surgery to remove fat deposits, and made the mistake of getting botoxafterwardeeks afterwards. The malar bags have gotten better, but are still there. I am afraid of my eyes never looking the way they were before.

9/17/2021 01:14:03 pm

Hello all thank you all for your updates. I am at almost 15 months since Botox under my eyes. I have been through so much. I did so many rounds of hylenex thinking the lumps were leftover filler from almost two years ago. The hylenex has not dissolved the lumps. So now I know the Botox definitely caused these lumps of fat that are now herniated. I am so so angry and depressed. For many months I have been in denial about these lumps being fat because as we all know, the only way to remove is with surgery. A few surgeons have told me they don’t recommend surgery because my bags are “not that big” so there is a risk of over correction and looking hollow if I remove the bags. I am consulting with another med spa doctor who uses secret rf microneedling to see if she has any experience treating eye bags with radio frequency. Perhaps I will try that with PRP to see if that does anything … the weird thing is that I feel that not only do I see fat lumps but under the lumps, the area where my under eye meets my cheeks, the area looks hollow. Like a ring that goes down to my cheeks :( anyone know what I mean?

Sandra L.

9/18/2021 10:17:55 am

Patricia: I can't picture exactly what you mean, but I consulted a plastic surgeon yesterday for the same problem and he said the lumps were "seromas" which are encapsulated. He offered to inject cortisone and something else to "dissolve" them. He suspects it was not only Botox that I was injected originally. I'm afraid of making the lumps even worse if I inject something else. What is exactly the "hylenex" that you mentioned? What kind of effect did it have on the lumps? Can you please share?
My lumps are on both malar zones and on the temples and they feel kind of stiff. How do you know if they are made of fat or something else? Thank you for your feedback! I'm also feeling desperate about this.

9/29/2021 04:13:25 pm

I had filler before I had the Botox. So the hylenex is a brand of hyaluronidase to try to dissolve any remaining filler in the area. I was hopeful that the eye bags would go away with this. But after about 5 rounds of hylenex and seeing no change, I am convinced that my eye bags are caused by protruding fat pads . So now I only have two portions. Wait like one more year or try to treat them with rf microneedling and possibly try to melt the fat .. but I’m pretty sure I would rather wait one more year.

Miriam

9/29/2021 02:57:14 pm

In 2009 I went to the clinic of ´the King of Botox´ in London. I was injected under eye, side of eyes, everywhere. The room was dark, she was exhausted and running extremely late Immediately the next day dark shadows started developing and then the eye bags stayed More than a year later I had to go hospital to get them removed in surgery. When I spoke to the ´King of Botox´. he said this happens to a certain percentage of patients and when I asked could they at least pay my very expensive operation , his manager wanted to but he said no and if I tried to sue him or mention his very famous worldwide name - he would sue me into the ground. Ironically while I was waiting for him, I was put in a private waiting room with Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece who was nervously waiting for laser treatment. We spoke but I felt like telling her - run for the hills.

9/29/2021 04:14:22 pm

Wow. How are you after your surgery? Were you happy with the results? How bad were the eye bags before you had the surgery?

9/30/2021 07:07:11 am

Hi Miriam, what kind of surgery did you use to remove the bumps? Are they totally removed? I mean, do they disappeared completely? Were they fat deposits or seromas?

Paris

10/4/2021 06:06:27 am

Hi Friends,

I got 1 unit of dysport that was hyperdiluted in 3 spots under each eye. This was done 2.5 weeks ago. I feel as though it's quite puffy under my eyes. Can anyone tell me how long this will take to go down given that it was only 1 unit hyperdiluted? I just need to know if this will go away... I don't think 1 unit can have such an effect for a long time? Thank you guys! <3

Adele Laden -luckett

11/15/2021 02:45:20 am

I am 4 weeks into my botox under eye bag drama . I have done all the above and nothing is working . My botox lady told me to use Nerve stimulation pads on my crows feet to get the muscle to work again so the lymphatic draining can work again . I’ve been doing this for 10 days and still nothing, I will carry on daily too so this . My only advise would be get some clear glasses frames ( I got big black ones for Amazon ) and wear those to cover eyes a little, plus they kinda look cool . In the day I wear sunglasses 🕶 as I can’t face the world with these eyes . I’m so upset and feel so ugly . I will keep On stimulating the muscle and try and stay positive and stop looking in the mirror . Good luck ladies … I feel your pain x

Kristen Hawkins

12/27/2021 07:54:05 am

Several years ago I got Botox for my crows feet. I didn’t get any under my eyes. Afterward, I had really big bags under both eyes. The person who injected me told me that
It would go away. After several months of it not going away, she said it wasn’t caused from the Botox and stopped returning my calls. I went to another cosmetic surgeon and was told that the bags were caused by the Botox migrating to my under eye area and relaxing the muscles that held in the fat pads under my eyes causing them to pop out. I was told that it would correct itself once the Botox wore off. Well, I’m not exaggerating when I say it took a whole year before my eyes went back to normal. It was awful. I said I would never get Botox again, but here I am considering it. I am just so scared it will happen again!

Adele

12/27/2021 08:40:28 am

Don’t do it !!! It’s not worth the risk . I ended up having a lower eye job to get the fat and puffiness taken away . It’s been 3 weeks since my op and they still look puffy with fat lumps .I’m just hoping to get my original eyes back , before I had the botox ?!?

3/16/2022 12:46:26 am

It's been 10 months for me and still have bags under my eyes. One more than the other. Is there anything I can do to corect. Eye doctor?

4/11/2022 10:15:47 am

Hi Kristen,

Did your bags go away completely? I am 6 months from having the botox and they ARE STILL there. Do you have any pics you could share of what yours was/is like?

12/27/2021 08:29:09 am

Hi Kristen. I feel you on this, I really do. I need to write a blog post about it, but I once got filler under my eyes to try and help my dark circles look less prominent. My injector told me it would help. It didn't help (obviously that's not what fillers do), but it did end up giving me small protrusions under my bags that didn't come about until most of the filler had dissolved. It took almost three years for those to go away. When this issue happened with the Botox I was pretty sure I needed to be done with messing with my face. I had lost hope that the filler pads would ever resolve, but once they did (only in the last few weeks) I decided to count my blessings and let age have me. I'm done with anything being injected into my face, period. No more Botox, no filler, not even lip filler, I'm just done. I've had two close calls now, that's plenty for me. Still, I get how you feel, I really do. I wish I could tell you which route to take, but that's just something you've got to do for yourself, weigh the risks and benefits, ask yourself what happens if something goes wrong and doesn't ever resolve itself? That's what finished it for me. Best of luck!

Kim

2/23/2022 10:29:50 pm

Thanks so much Ty for this post. It's 5 weeks since I had under eye filler and crows feet botox. The day after I got jelly pads on top of my cheek and they're still there but not as bad as before. I still look 10 years older than I did beforehand. I've had botox before in same area but not this injector. She of course is saying allergic reaction, nothing to do with her 🤬. I'm going to give the facial lyphatic drainage a try and I'll report back. Thanks to all those who posted comments. I'm left with a mixture of hope and despair as to how it will turn out.

3/10/2022 07:50:11 am

Hi all,

I posted about this over a year ago. I STILL have bags from having gotten botox for my botox. It has NOT gone away. I have, however, found something that helps tremendously. It's called SIO patches. I have been wearing them nightly (overnight), and the bags are nearly gone after 4 nights of use. (https://www.siobeauty.com/). I am in NO way affliiated with this company, but I wanted you all to know that there is something that helps, a lot! I hope these can help someone else, too.

Ona

4/11/2022 07:51:44 am

So glad this article is here. I've been using Botox for 10+ years now with a fine experience, but something happened with this last round that has never happened before. I was a little overdue, and got a few more units than usual, including under the eyes. Now, when I smile, I have two under-eye/cheek levels, with a depression line between them, making me look quite disfigured. I hate it, hate it, hate it. It looks like someone is pressing with a finger on both sides of the bridge of my nose. Now I'll have to stay with a resting bee face until this wears off -- and hoping that will actually resolve it. I'll remain hopeful, but holy cow, this is an atrocity in the mirror. Someone please make it stop. I'll skip the under-eye injections from now on. :(

10/20/2022 10:01:50 pm

Hi Ona, I have exactly what you have described. i am just 10 days in and freaking out. Did this resolve for you?

1/10/2023 08:32:46 am

Hi Ona, how are you now? Did your eyes go back to normal?

sam

7/21/2022 04:18:58 pm

Hello I Had Botox last October and it caused me to have a large majar bag under one eye unit
It’s not gone away and I’m in touch with the lady that did it , she paid for me to have a lymphatic massage this did nothing , now she is suggesting fibro blast and reckons this will help ? I am constantly Jade rollering my bag and take anti hystermine daily too , it’s marginally improved , but I’m seriously considering getting her to pay for surgery
I don’t feel this will ever go by itself

It has had a massive impact on my confidence. And disfigured me

Has anyone tried fibro blast? As I don’t feel this is the right path she is suggesting
And ladies I feel all your pain
Sam

7/26/2022 02:36:57 pm

Hello all,
Thank you for the info. I had lower eyelid surgery to remove fat deposits, and made the mistake of getting botox about 10 days afterward, not under my eyes, only crows feet and forehead. . I noticed the bags a couple of days afterward, and I think my eye muscles were already weak due to the surgery. I see them getting better, but still so much to go. I have been taking diuretics to help reduce water build-up, but am open to any suggestions.

Monica

10/12/2022 10:26:13 am

Thank you for posting this! I got Botox for crows feet a week ago, and starting this past weekend I noticed very slight bags forming under each eye, which seem to be getting worse. Never in my life have I had eye bags. I started freaking out thinking it to be some additional brand new rapid onset sign of aging. Then I put two and two together: I had Botox a week ago and the bags started showing up 4 days later. Also this is my second time getting Botox, but the first time they only injected my temple area, but this time I was also given an injection under each of my eyes.

This makes so much sense now, and I'm glad I'm not alone. Fingers crossed this goes away and doesn't get any worse.

10/20/2022 10:04:39 pm

Hi Monica has this resolved for you. I have this too and I am only seeing people posting about it not ever going away. 😩 thanks!!

10/23/2022 07:05:28 am

Hi Sheila, thank you so much for speaking up about your experience. I chanced upon your blog because it's been 3 weeks since my Botox (FIRST ever injecting the undereye - I didn't even want it, the injector was the one who suggested it and said I'd look prettier) and I'm just honestly freaking out.

I woke the next day with these huge under eye bags I NEVER had before in my life, and my eyes are my prettiest feature... Your video helped so much because FINALLY, I thought someone knew how I felt like. It's such a scary process! I really am beating myself up over just.. WHY did I go do that when I didn't have a problem in the first place... And came out looking worse.. The injector said it might take a month for the swell to go down, but bloody hell, she should've told us upfront BEFORE injecting.. I never even wanted Botox in that area. Now my smile's lopsided too, and my eyebrows are higher than normal. I really do feel like a freak, and I don't dare to go out anymore, or go on dates..... I tried arnica gel, I don't drink alcohol, I'm on anti-inflammatory medication too.. It's just... I don't know when it would go back to normal.. :(

Sheila (Tythehunter)

10/23/2022 09:04:09 am

Hi D! I am so sorry you're going through this, it absolutely sucks. Thankfully (if you're like me) it will go away, but it will take time. It took months for mine to look normal again. This was the moment in my life where I decided I was done messing with Botox, I haven't had any since and I've got zero regrets. I've only got the one face, lol. Mother nature is just going to age me naturally from here on out, with a little help from daily moisturizing and face scrubs. :)

I hope you're back to normal soon!

Sheila

10/23/2022 08:42:48 pm

Sheila,

For sure! Once this craziness wears off (hopefully) I am off the Botox. This experience has been horrible and scary. I’m just going to spend the money on keeping my skin looking nice and work on aging gracefully.

❤️ Lisa

10/24/2022 01:03:09 am

Thanks, Sheila! I really hope things go back to normal soon. And yea, I'm done messing with Botox too. So unfortunate. :((

12/5/2022 06:11:16 pm

Thank you so much for this, Sheila! I've been doing forehead and crows feet (and lately neck) botox for well over 20 years, and in August, I wanted to try a couple units in my "jelly rolls" that show up when I smile.

HUGE MISTAKE. I got eyebags within 48 hours, and while they are somewhat reduced, here in December, I am still very very puffy. Like notably puffy. I want to scream.

Not sure if the nurse used Dysport or Botox. I suspect Dysport, and I also suspect that that is part of the problem. I think it's not only the the little muscles that move lymph through the ducts being paralyzed and causing pooling, but also, since I"m in my 50s, the muscles holding back the fat just froze up and the fat poofed through, which is def what can happen.

Two for one grossness! Lucky me. Of course the nurse would not admit the injections had anything to do with it.

My bags are right under my eyes, just like regular ol' sleep deprivation eye bags--which I rarely had before, and certainly not this big.

Some tips: I've had some luck with lymphatic massage around my sinuses and using jade rollers and gua sha (you can get simple videos for all 3 on YouTube). I'm going to get acupuncture soon, too, to help with fluid retention and drainage.

Also, if you have a current device, like a ZIIP or Nu-Face, doing an eye treatment might help? Maybe? I've had good luck with the one I own for jowls/nasolabial folds/neck wrinkles. so perhaps they can help the eye muscles move more dynamically again and firm up as the Botox wears off.

Like everyone else, I thank you so much for this video and post and like everyone else NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN. First time in decades of use that Botox has sucked for me. I just pray it totally goes away, but I fear because of my age, my muscles may never snap back and I'll be stuck this way. :( Hope I'm wrong!

10/19/2023 12:47:24 pm

Hi Emmy,
Any updates? Hoping for the best!

12/20/2022 06:02:12 am

Sheila, thanks for your video and explanation, you give me hope. I hope I can also share good news with you all soon <3!

Unfortunately I'm also in the puffy eyes post botox club.
I had botox on my crow's feet 6 weeks ago and 5 days later I woke up with eye bags. I think I have both small eye bags + small malar bags, amazing.

It was my 5th (AND LAST) time getting botox and first time experiencing side effects.

All doctors tell me it will go away when botox wears off, but I've been reading posts on realself from women claiming their eyes never went back to normal and I'm panicking!

I hope it resolves on its own, like in Sheila's case. If not, I will get surgery for sure.

Kitty

6/4/2023 03:31:08 pm

Hi ana, did it go? If so, how long did it take pls?

6/23/2023 10:21:30 am

Hi Ana, did they finally go? Thank you x

Jennifer

12/26/2022 11:16:51 pm

I had Dysport in May I still have the bags. It wasn’t until July that that I saw real improvement—I looked like I had been up all night every night. I only had the injections in my forehead-which I had done a few times before with no issues. Within 3 days, my whole face was retaining fluid, but my eyes were the worse. They have definitely gone down, but I still have bags under my eyes and the Mylar bags which I did not have before. I also got dark circles with the bags. I look like I aged 10 years in my eyes. I sleep on wedges completely elevated because if I don’t or stay up too late, they look worse. I do find it interesting that most of the commenters are like myself in that they had gotten Botox/Dysport before with no problems, didn’t have it during Covid, and when we returned once Covid was over, we all had issues. I assume that in that time many of us had Covid, the vaccine, or both. I had both myself. Just like everyone else, the doctors said that Botox/Dysport didn’t cause the issues, but something happened.

Danica link

3/12/2023 12:03:06 pm

Hi Sheila,

I wish I found this website sooner. If I knew about the " malar bags" caused by botox I wouldn't have done it.

I had botox done on Feb 14th, 2023 by a plastic surgeon. I only had my forehead done and in-between my eyebrows. I've had botox done (twice before) in the same area with no problems. This was a different injector ( plastic surgeon) and 5 days later, I had horrid " Malar bags that looked like triangles" filled with black ink. It's only been 3 weeks and I pray that they go away on their own. I wanted to give myself a Valentine's Day gift and now I have the gift that keeps on giving ( not in a good way). I look ten years older and just wished I left things alone. I've tried Lymphatic drainage which helped a lot but only to have the " malar bags" reappear. I did not get anything around the eye area and I am just praying with time they will go away. My biggest fear is that I've ruined my face permanently. I will not be getting any more botox ever again. I called the doctor they keep denying that botox doesn't give you Malar bags and that it will wear off after (3) months I am glad I found this community and I pray that within a few months, it will go away on it's own.

10/18/2023 06:44:32 am

Hello, thanks so much for sharing your story and I am so very sorry. It sounds awful. Do you have any updates you can share? I’m in the same boat and feel so alone and sad with this— just wanted to reach out.

Valerie

1/3/2023 08:00:42 pm

Ladies,

I created a post on Real Self in 2017 when I had my first and only Botox injections and it's gotten TONS of responses, much like this article. I still have my puffy bags, which are still worse than Sheila's in her photo above. I'm still frustrated and angry on a fairly regular basis, but I'm doing RF Microneedling again and it helps - A LOT. Be prepared to do 3-5 visits. Morpheus 8, Scarlet and Profound are the best options available, but I'm doing Scarlet due to the shorter downtime, Look into it!!!.

If you can find a PS to do both RF Microneedling and Co2 laser TOGETHER, you'll have the best result. Sadly, nobody does this locally for me - Dr Jason Emer will do it, so if you're in the Cali area, I'd opt in that direction.

All the best,

V

1/10/2023 06:25:23 pm

Hey Valerie! Can you share a link to your RealSelf post? I'd love to read through. :)

I notice a bit of improvement in my bags--five months after injex--now that I'm using ZIIP microcurrent and also seeing an acupuncturist. I'll be seeing a specially trained cosmetic acupuncturist this week, specifically for this issue. Will report back on that.

I do find it interesting that many of us have this problem using Dysport. Maybe there's an additive to it that causes inflammation in addition to the muscles/orbital septum/lymph vessels being affected.

1/11/2023 06:51:52 pm

HI Emmy,

Here's the link to the realself posting: https://www.realself.com/forum/swelling-bags-eyes-after-botox-back-normal?rseid=8ae44db5b6d83fcf31394100d2f02ea1&message_id=f0a2e0d572e344f087168d0813637ec9&utm_campaign=C_I_T_Notifications_UserReplyCommentContentAuthor_v1_20200131&utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_content=nocomment&review_id=3994408&comment_id=6370962&entry_id=

So as a side note, I went through with the microneedling on Monday. When I arrived, the tech recommended we do both RF Agnes as well as RF Scarlett for tightening, as they're often used in tandem. There's some really minor bruising because she was pretty aggressive; the swelling is the worst. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is the magic bullet.

1/13/2023 04:16:22 am

Hi Valerie, I read your post of Realself.. OMG, lots of people are indeed affected by the same problem.

In regards to the RF, how much improvement do you see? After 3-5 sessions are results permanent or should you keep getting these treatments eternally?

I'm 2 months of nightmare and I visited an oculoplastic surgeon specilized in festoons who told me to give it 1 year and try RF before considering surgery.

Thanks!

1/13/2023 01:34:45 pm

I did RF microneedling about 2 years ago and saw a good deal of improvement after 2 rounds of Secret RF - maybe 30-50%; enough to be satisfied and not continue (pretty painful procedure), but it didn't completely resolve. They should be hitting the area with a depth of 2MM on the first pass and at least 2 (maybe 3) passes.

Here's an interesting study that discusses depth/RF power and procedure of the session: https://www.theaestheticguide.com/cosmetic-surgery/rf-microneedling-festoon-treatment

I just did another round on Monday; both RF Agnes and RF Scarlett; check out RF Agnes online - it does AMAZING things for eyebags. I still have a little bruising and swelling from Monday, so I can't give a full / honest review yet. You should also check out Jason Emer's work on instagram; he's been successful in completely resolving the issues and he uses Morpheus 8 combined with CO2; both of those are heavy hitters and pretty aggressive, but it apparently works. I have to say my procedure on Monday was pretty aggressive too. Youtube is also a good site to check out the RF Agnes/RF Scarlett. I'm really hopeful this will do the trick. Final results should be seen in about 4 -6 weeks.

I hope some of this helps any and all who read this; I know how this has impacted my life, even though I see it much more than those around me.

1/21/2023 04:40:11 pm

I'm almost two weeks from a combination RF Agnes / RF Scarlett treatment on my undereye bags and have to say that I've seen dramatic improvement. As far as non-invasive treatments go, I'd say it pretty aggressive, with a 5-7 day down time, but the puffies under my eyes have greatly reduced and I couldn't be more thrilled. I have two more treatments to go. Do I think I'll see complete resolution?... probably not, but I have to say I'm thrilled with the progress already and if I even got a little bit more improvement, I'd be alright with that. Total cost of the 3 treatments will be $1200. I'll be placing some before/after pics up on real self when I have time and will let you all know.

Eman

4/24/2023 04:11:48 am

Hello Valerie..
Could u give us new update about the eye bags treatment

5/5/2023 12:32:39 pm

Sorry it's taken me some time to get back to this question; I just had another round of RF microneedling on 4/25. This 3rd time, I did the RF Agnes and RF Scarlett together, with 3 passes of the Scarlett at a depth of 2mm, each pass. Not gonna lie, this was pretty aggressive and I was the aesthetician agreed to do it. I had a good deal of bruising and swelling. On 5/1, I did an acid peel at home and am just starting to peel today. Still a little early to tell, but I have to say that this is the best my face has looked since this happened to me in 2017....they're barely visible. I hope it stays this way, but in the past, I've seen great results and then a couple months later, only so-so. Essentially, my response is "too early to tell".

I'll update again in a month, but I'll say this much - if no significant resolution, I plan to see an oculoplastic surgeon before the end of the year.

2/11/2023 05:27:41 pm

Thank you for this! This exact thing just happened to me but not until the Botox fully set- almost three weeks later. Was wondering what the hell was happening. Thank you for sharing!!

Justine

6/10/2023 11:44:01 pm

Hi, did yours appear 3 weeks after? Did you get under eye bags I’m getting swelling like in a circle shape on top of my cheeks under the eyes , I had it 2 weeks and 3 days ago .
What’s your situation now? Thanks

Jess

4/23/2023 11:03:14 am

Hello all - I just wanted to give a very honest bit of information here as I also have been through what a lot of you have AND 1.5 years later it still has not resolved. I had botox for crows feet in Dec 2021 --- and yes, still have a puffy under eye bag now. It literally popped up 3 days after injection (I've been getting botox for approx 8 years) and got worse. It has slightly gotten better, but after years you would think it would.

I went to a very well renowned plastic surgeon, and he said the only thing to fix it is under eye surgery. We did filler dissolver under the eye just to see if anything happened -- day 1 it went away and then day 2 it came back, showing that it wasn't migrated filler. There's a lot of information on here about hoping it will go away. For some people yes, for most, no.

However, here are some things that work when you are dealing with it daily. I am a model so trust me, trying to make it look better is part of my job.

Under eye massage - in the shower spend spend a good amount of time massaging away from the nose. Long strokes towards the. ears and down.

Sleep elevated - even a bit does wonders.

Massage again with eye cream, away from the nose and down to the ears.

Don't schedule anything important (photos, a big interview etc) in the morning if you are self conscious. It always looks better by the afternoon and after massage. Morning is the worst.

Kitty Walker

5/29/2023 06:35:00 am

Hi all, thanks for writing this and that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. I have something a bit different….I got puffy eyes and they’re also sunken at the sides. I don’t look like I have a fat pad, just look tired as hell and have a the wrinkles when I smile are shocking. Had a touch up and a tiny amount of Botox was added to the inner eye. I don’t think this caused it. I think the low down crows feet injection was too deep and too much. It’s been 1.5 weeks and little improvement. We can’t add pictures here so I’m wondering it we exchanged emails to share pictures?! Thank you x

10/18/2023 06:37:29 am

Hi, thanks so much for sharing. Would you please share if there is any improvement and what if anything helped. This board has helped but I still feel really alone in this issue and need some advice. Hoping for the best for you.

6/2/2023 10:23:07 am

Hello! Thank you for addressing. To the original poster, for this poster….how long until this resolved or did it? Thank you!

JESS

7/24/2023 10:36:47 am

Never resolved. In fact I have a consultation for lower bleph surgery coming up. Unfortunately and what a LOT of people don't realize is that the area will not recover. The same goes for fillers. If you try to hide under eye bags with filler, know that within a few years the filler will migrate to your cheeks and you will need to get it dissolved, which then hollows out your eye sockets more. The only true fix is surgery down the line, once you get fed up with trying to hide the under eye bag daily. I have a friend and a similar thing happened to her for bunny line botox. Dr told her that botox wears off and it will go back to normal. It has not gone back to normal and she had a lot of false hope from forums saying it will be fine.

7/24/2023 12:11:16 pm

Some are lucky enough to resolve, but not many. You generally need youth and facial muscle tone on your side.

Best of luck to you on your lower bleph; I've held off on doing that because, like everything else, it can also make the bags worse. Make sure your PS is an oculoplastic surgeon.

Keep us posted! 🩷

Evelyn

9/16/2023 10:54:11 am

Hi everyone. I'm at 5 months since getting eye bags and crepiness after Dysport. I tried a new injector which was a mistake that I'll never make again If I even ever get injections again. She did not say anything to me about the risks of under eye injections. She was not clear about how much she put under each eye. My smile has been deformed by the eye bags. I've seen some improvement but I still don't look the same. For a time I was afraid to smile at all, because when I did the bags bulged more and had a wrinkly appearance. I'm so sorry for everyone else who is experiencing this. It's a damn shame that this happens to so many of us when we were just trying to improve our appearance.

Karla Salazar

9/16/2023 09:02:49 pm

I’ve been experiencing swelling or puffiness on upper cheeks and droopy eyelids.

I went to the see an allergist for it thinking it was an allergy reaction to something I was eating or environmental .. When He asked me about if I had injections on my face , I told him I did not think it was because of the Botox. Paid a lot for a tests done at the clinic. Of course he just told me I was allergic to mix of fragrances.He couldn’t really tell me much.

Then days later I saw this post and just hit me … gosh it was because of the Botox! I was reluctant to believe it because it was done in a good clinic by a professional nurse I feel like a fool !!!

I believe it’s related with Botox injections I got in December of last year to help with frown lines. I have done Botox only twice in may and in December of 2022.

I’m really concerned about it , They looks like puffy bags on my face and they don’t go away and might be getting worse This area of my face itches sometimes and have become sensitive to skincare products and makeup
10 months later they bags make me look tired and older , I’m 38, I feel that I just added 10 years after Botox. Worst mistake ever . It made my depression worse. Feels so self conscious when talking with people.. I don’t want to go to the doctor because I know they would tell me to get fillers or some kind of treatment .. Most of them only care about money.
Don’t know what to do..

10/17/2023 11:26:54 pm

Hello, I am so grateful for this post and discussion board. I found it in my night of agony as I am six days out after Botox under eyes and I look like Uncle Fester. The first day after under eye my eyes swelled up tremendously. After one day of all the things— no salt, elevated sleep, tons of water, the swelling went down but I now have tremendous wrinkles unde my eyes when I smile. I look like an absolute freak. There is a ledge that sticks out over my cheek bone and I wake up terrified each day that it will be bigger as I’m still waiting for my Botox to hit its max. I know time may help here but that doesn’t seem to be the case for many. I keep looking at my before photos and wanting to cry about how bad things look now. If any one has any hope or even a nice thing to say here it would really help me. Thanks and best wishes to all of you.

10/18/2023 09:30:32 am

Pretty sure you're having an allergic reaction, as I believe I did as well. Have you tried benedryl?

About 50% see complete improvement. I've had about 60-70% improvement but not full. I urge you to hold off on any additional prodlcedures until the botox is completely gone. If no improvement rf microneedling is a low cost, albeit mostly temporary fix. (4-6 mos?)

Dr Jason Emer does a combo of Rf microneedling and CO2. Others will do mid-air facelifts or other heating u der the skin to tighten and excise the bags.

Don't beat yourself up over this; we were all foolish in the desire to look better. Give yourself time to heal and then move forward accordingly.

10/18/2023 09:46:27 am

Hi Valerie,
I really appreciate your taking this time to respond. I’m glad you got some improvement— although I do wish it was %100. I talked to the doctor who oversees my nurse injector and she said there is no way Botox did this— but it showed up the next morning after my first under eye Botox and literally nothing else changed! Her recommendation is stuff to treat swelling. I take your good advice about nothing additional done— I have a tiny bit of hope from your response so thank you (I live in the Pacific Northwest so can’t see the doc you recommended but will look for micro needling). I really appreciate your response Valerie!

10/18/2023 05:09:05 pm

Make sure it's RF Microneedling; there's regular microneedling and then there's RF Microneedling.

Every injector will say "there's no way botox did this" - they all say that. It's such crap. We've all heard it. I've also heard "there's no way you had an allergic reaction", "this is normal aging that you just didn't notice before" and "you must have come into contact with something else that did this to you". If you were injected under the eyes, as I was, that's a problem - botox isn't supposed to be injected under the eyes.

By the way, important to mention that the younger you are, the more likely you are to see 100% improvement. I was in my early 40s and this happened to me 7 years ago.

10/19/2023 02:35:36 pm

Hi Valerie,
Sorry one more question— you mentioned you had 50-70% improvement. How long did that take? Did any of that happen on its own or did it all come from RF mironeedling? At this point I am desperate for any hope.

Valerie Olson

12/9/2023 07:05:39 am

It takes about 4-6 weeks to begin seeing the improvement but it's unmistakable and significant. The results are long lasting but not permanent. About 9 months to a year after. Some day I'll go for a surgical correction (facelift?) but I'm not there yet.

10/18/2023 07:00:36 pm

Thanks Valerie. I’m so sorry you have had to go through this and to still have it unresolved 7 years later is heartbreaking. I am 41 and Had Botox under my eyes for the first time that has then caused this substantial swelling and wrinkling. So far the doctor and nurse injector are both saying no way Botox did this/ or allergic reaction to something else. There are literally no other options. I got Botox, drove 4 hours with windows up in my own care and slept in my own bed. Woke up to a swollen face disaster. I am trying to stand up for myself to them but it’s hard when they just keep repeating it is not possible.

Chantelle

12/9/2023 06:51:39 am

What do yours look like now? Mine started as mallar bags which were worse on one side and have this week started showing festoon lines on one side. It’s made me so miserable. It will be 5 months soon.

PUFFY BAGS UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX - MY EXPERIENCE

MALAR BAGS FROM BOTOX
A VIDEO

PUFFY UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

PUFFY UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX
HOW TO FIX IT

BOTOX CAUSED UNDER EYE BAGS
HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?

PUFFINESS UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX
FINAL THOUGHTS

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PUFFY BAGS UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX - MY EXPERIENCE

MALAR BAGS FROM BOTOX A VIDEO

PUFFY UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

PUFFY UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX ​HOW TO FIX IT

BOTOX CAUSED UNDER EYE BAGS HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?

PUFFINESS UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX ​FINAL THOUGHTS

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TY WRITES KIDS BOOKS

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HAVE FUN IN AZEROTH!

OUR FAVORITE SNACK BOX

MALAR BAGS FROM BOTOX
A VIDEO

PUFFY UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

PUFFY UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX
HOW TO FIX IT

BOTOX CAUSED UNDER EYE BAGS
HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?

PUFFINESS UNDER EYES AFTER BOTOX
FINAL THOUGHTS

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