The short answer
Anti-wrinkle injections (such as Botox) and dissolvable hyaluronic acid fillers are generally safe when a trained medical practitioner uses genuine, traceable products after assessing you. The serious risk is filler blocking a blood vessel, which can cause skin death or, rarely, blindness, and needs treatment within hours. Avoid injections at parties, salons, homes or from people who sell only on social media.
Book a consultationMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Anti-wrinkle injections and fillers are different
Anti-wrinkle injections, of which Botox is one brand, relax the muscles that cause frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet. They start working within a few days, reach full effect in about two weeks, and usually wear off over three to four months. They are a prescription medicine.
Fillers add volume to the lips, cheeks, chin or under the eyes. The commonly used ones are made of hyaluronic acid, which the body breaks down over months, and which can be dissolved with an enzyme if something goes wrong. That is a big safety advantage.
What can go wrong
Bruising, swelling and tenderness are common and settle in days. Anti-wrinkle injections can cause a temporary droopy eyelid or eyebrow, or an uneven look, that wears off as the product does. Fillers can cause lumps, uneven results or a delayed reaction.
The serious risk is filler injected into or pressing on a blood vessel. The skin it supplies can die, leaving a wound and scar, and around the nose, between the eyebrows and near the eyes, a blocked vessel can, rarely, cause blindness. A trained practitioner knows the danger zones, injects slowly, recognises the signs immediately and has the enzyme to dissolve the filler on hand.
Emergency signs after filler
Go back to the injector at once, or to an emergency department, if you notice:
- Severe pain at or near the injection site, out of proportion to the injection
- Skin turning white, then blotchy, dusky or dark
- Blurred vision, loss of vision, or eye pain
- Blisters or scabs appearing over the treated area in the following days
Who to avoid
- Anyone injecting at 'Botox parties', in homes, hotels or salons
- Injectors who will not tell you their full name and qualification
- Unbranded, unlabelled or 'imported' products you cannot see being opened
- Permanent fillers, silicone or oils, especially for lips or buttocks
- Very cheap offers, vouchers and 'today only' deals
- Anyone who will not tell you what to do if something goes wrong
Before your appointment
Choose a clinic where a doctor, or a nurse working under a doctor's protocols, assesses you first and names the product. Tell them your medicines, including blood thinners and supplements, and any history of cold sores or allergies. Do not have injections if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an infection or active acne in the area. On darker skin, peels and microneedling given alongside injections can leave dark marks if chosen or set badly, so ask how the clinic adapts for your skin.
Plan for maintenance: injections are not one-off. If you would not be comfortable repeating them every few months, think again.
What it costs on Mezo
One fixed price, paid online.
Common questions
Can Botox go wrong permanently?
Usually not. Its effects, including side effects like a droopy eyelid, wear off as the product does, usually over weeks to months. The bigger risks come from fake or diluted products and untrained injectors.
Can filler be removed if I do not like it?
Hyaluronic acid filler can usually be dissolved with an injection of an enzyme. Permanent fillers cannot, which is one reason to avoid them.
Is a 'non-surgical nose job' with filler safe?
The nose is one of the higher-risk areas for filler because its blood vessels connect to the eye. It should only be done by a doctor experienced in that area who can treat a blocked vessel immediately.
Are these safe on dark skin?
Yes, injections are safe on dark skin when done well. The main extra risk on dark skin is dark marks after peels, microneedling or lasers, which is managed by choosing the right treatment and strict sun protection.
Who should do my injections?
A registered doctor or a trained nurse working to a doctor's protocols, who assesses you first, names the product, and can manage complications. Thread lifts should be done by a doctor only.
The procedures
Related health guides
More patient guides
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure. NHS. Patient information.
- Before you have a cosmetic procedure. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 22 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.