What should you know about nasal flare botox?

When the muscles beside the nostrils contract strongly during smiling, speaking or exertion, the nostrils may widen or flare. Botulinum toxin type A temporarily reduces nerve signals to selected muscles. It does not reshape nasal cartilage or add volume, so it may not address a structural concern or a nose that looks broad at rest. Facial balance, breathing and muscle strength should be assessed before treatment.

Have the injector observe your nose at rest and during expression. Discuss previous botulinum toxin, facial weakness, neuromuscular disorders, pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergies and medicines that affect bleeding. Ask where injections will be placed, how results will be reviewed and what alternatives fit your goal. Avoid rubbing or pressing the area immediately afterward if your clinician gives that instruction. Results develop gradually, and over-treatment can make smiling or upper-lip movement feel less natural.

Contact the treating clinician promptly for marked asymmetry, difficulty moving the upper lip, trouble speaking, swallowing or breathing, or swelling that is rapidly worsening. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, widespread weakness, vision changes or signs of a severe allergic reaction. New wrinkles elsewhere are not an emergency, but should be discussed at follow-up if they are bothersome.

Is my flaring caused by muscle movement or by nasal structure? Which muscle will you target? How will you protect natural smiling and breathing? What other treatments could address my concern? When should I return for review?