Why might Botox injections suddenly feel much more painful than usual?

[FTMaz]

Hi everyone

i am 36 and have had Botox for about 5 years on and off and I’ve been pregnant and breastfed in that time. I’ve never found it painful as much a bit sharp around the eyes but nothing I would describe as hurting. Today it absolutely killed, I had 3 areas and every single injection hurt to the point it was nearly unbearable. I have been to the same practitioner a fair few times and it’s never hurt like today. Anyone know why today may have been so bad?

I don’t know, but the same thing happened to me. The clinic gave me that numbing cream to apply half an hour before.

Could be many reasons. You could be pregnant, at a different time in your cycle, sun damage on your face or maybe you had caffeine before going?

Well botulinum toxin type a (ie Botox) is neurotoxic.

Is your period due? Mine is always more painful in the luteal phase (the lady that does it noticed my unusual wincing last time!)

Is it the same toxin? I changed to a different version (quicker acting and longer lasting) and it was more stingy (I was warned that it would be).

I had a really bad painful time when the agent they mix it with was changed. I think it's usually preservative free saline but there was a stock issue last year and she had to use the preservative one I think. That was horrible. It was so stingy that she made sure she will only use the usual on me now as I couldn't cope with it.

There are different types. The “stingy” version works much better on me but my doctor did warn me about it beforehand and gave me the option.

Either you’ve been using Retinol, you’re getting sick or you’re on your period

Oh my gosh yes I have started using retinol since the last time! I didn’t even think of that, why would that make such a difference?

Thanks everyone - reading the replies I think it’s probably the retinol I didn’t even put those things together

It could be, after repeated injections, they are pushing through scar tissue; or it was a bad needle?

Qualified injector here. It may be the retinol if it was slightly stingy. But it was very stingy (like bee sting type) it was a different mix. Some injectables that you don’t mix yourself hurt a lot. Doesn’t mean they’re less effective, just very uncomfortable

Thanks - yea it was like very very stingy 😂 not just a little. I will ask her before I go for my top up as I don’t want that again! Don’t know why I didn’t say at the time really.