Like many other medical vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine has associated side effects upon introduction to the body. These include muscle pain around the injected area, fever, headaches, diarrhea, and fatigue. All the side effects are immunological reactions to the jab but not allergies or infections. Luckily, all side effects are short-lived and your body should resume to normal after a few days.
Many people have questions surrounding the safety of using Botox before or after a COVID-19 vaccine shot. The discussion started after reports of swelling around areas with dermal fillers in late December 2020 after the Moderna vaccination. Since then, there has been fear surrounding cosmetic injections and their reactions to the COVID-19 jab.
How Dermal Fillers Work
Dermal filler injection introduces a gel that resembles hyaluronic acid. The substance revitalizes the skin by giving it a softer look with fewer wrinkles or lines. Dermal fillers help in creating fuller lips, removing facial contours or lines. The fillers last about six months to a year. However, do not confuse dermal fillers with Botox.
What Is Botox
The botulinum toxin commonly used to reduce creases at the forehead, crow’s feet, and between brows makes up Botox. The Clostridium botulinum bacterium produces toxins that block nerve signals to the muscles.
How It Works
Your doctor applies an anesthetic cream on the affected area before injecting you with the medicine. A toxin called the onabotulinumtoxinA blocks muscle movements and makes the wrinkles soften and relax. Your physician will advise you on the activities you should avoid immediately after the treatment.
Physicians have for a long time used dermal fillers and this method to help patients get a younger look. Both procedures are safe but they may have associated side effects such as:
- Redness or swelling around injected areas
- Hives or rash
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea
- Headache
- Abilities to feel the filler under the skin
Is COVID-19 Vaccination Safe
As thousands of people around the globe continue to take the COVID-19 vaccination, some remain reluctant questioning its safety.
With the increase in the spread of the virus, professionals in the medical field continually conduct intense studies and monitor the vaccinations to ensure that they are safe.
Further, the food and drug administration departments in various states and countries ensure that the dose meets the scientific safety standards before authorization.
Reports from the various departments monitoring vaccine safety are positive, indicating that most people do not have side effects. However, others have reported side effects, most of which clear in hours or a few days. It is also essential to note that a small number of those that took the dose, rare conditions such as thrombocytopenia syndrome and anaphylaxis, have been reported.
Once you receive the jab, medical practitioners advise individuals to wait for half an hour before leaving. During this time, the person will be under observation so that proper measures are taken in case any reactions to mitigate health risks.
Going by health reports, success rate, and day-to-day dose monitoring, the COVID-19 jab is generally safe.
Is the Vaccination Safe Before The Treatment?
Medical experts recommend everyone gets vaccinated for COVID-19 as it is a dangerous virus. Protection from the virus outweighs the risk of getting swellings due to the procedure.
If you plan to get the injectable before the COVID-19 jab, then do so after two weeks. This duration allows your immune system to suppress any side effects from the vaccination.
The FDA data shows that the swelling due to vaccination only occurred in three people from a sample of 15184. All cases had mild symptoms that quickly resolved with oral antihistamines or corticosteroids. However, it is crucial to note that inflammation can be caused by other factors such as the environment or certain foods. Based on this, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) encourages patients for the injectable to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
According to this study, there are rare protein spikes due to Morderna and Pfizer vaccines. It is worth noting that these are only theories of possible side effects, but not a must occur. Just like the FDA report, all the spikes are easily resolved.
The above reports and medical advice indicate that a planned injectable in the near future should not discourage patients from COVID-19 jab. We recommend that you schedule your next appointment for botox two weeks after the dose.
Is the Vaccination Safe After The Procedure?
The COVID-19 jab is completely safe after your Botox injection. However, this should only happen two weeks after your doctor’s appointment. It is not advisable to receive the cosmetic treatment in between your COVID-19 vaccine shots. The reason for this is to minimize any side effects of both the jab and the treatment.
Does COVID-19 Vaccine Cause Botox Swelling
The cosmetic injection usually has high levels of hyaluronic acid, which quickly dissolves in the skin muscles. This scenario is slightly different for dermal fillers, where the gel stays under the skin for up to a year. That said, it means that ordinarily, the skin should not swell after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.
Nevertheless, it is prudent for patients to follow proper guidelines and consult with dermatologists before the procedure. It is vital to get the cosmetic injection from a board-certified dermatologist in a recognized health care facility. This practice helps avoid most of the side effects associated with little knowledge on administering the treatment.
Summary
There is a difference between dermal fillers and botox. Whereas the former aims to give extra volumes for a fuller look, the latter freezes muscle cells to avoid wrinkles. Both procedures have a proven track record of success and safety.
It is essential to consult with your medical practitioner on the eligibility of the cosmetic injection. The procedure is not recommended for nursing and pregnant women or people with wounds.
There is no evidence to show that COVID-19 vaccination has a devastating effect on patients undergoing the treatment. Therefore, it is crucial for anyone wishing to undergo cosmetic treatment to get vaccinated. Vaccination should be two weeks before or after the injectable and not between the first and second doses.
