Zoe Hague’s recent experience with Botox serves as an important reminder that even commonly performed aesthetic treatments carry potential risks, a cosmetics expert has warned.
Earlier this month, Molly-Mae Hague’s older sister, Zoe confessed that she was ‘in hiding’ after a recent Botox appointment went disastrously wrong. Zoe, 27, who is an ex British Army Medical Corp turned social media star, took to her TikTok account to show off the results of her botched Botox as she warned fans they have a 1% chance of their eyelid drooping if they decided to get the anti-wrinkle injections.
After getting injections in her forehead and on her crows feet, Zoe woke up to a frightening realisation that it had gone horribly wrong when she could barely open one of her eyes and it felt heavy and drooped low down. At the time, Zoe told her followers she was ‘hiding away from the world’ after fleeing to her mum’s home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Molly-Mae’s older sister insisted that she doesn’t want to be seen by anyone until her eye heals fully as she complained that she was in the 1% of people who suffer the incredibly rare side effects of Botox.
Appearing on camera in running gear, Zoe covered her eyes with a pair of sunglasses as she issued the stark warning to her huge fanbase. Zoe then lifted her sunglasses off her eyes and onto her head as she showcased the drastic damage that the Botox had done to her eyelid – as she confessed that she wasn’t able to open her eye fully. “Guys, I’ve had to come to my mum’s for a few days because I’m hiding from the world. I am hiding from the world,” Zoe told her fans. “Why does this stuff happen to me? Seven days ago, actually eight days ago now, I had Botox.”
Zoe went on to reveal that she’s had Botox several times before – at least six times – and she has never had any side effects like the drooping eye she is currently dealing with. “I’ve had Botox maybe like six times in my life. I’ve had it here in my forehead, a tiny bit in my crow’s feet and a tiny bit on my frown line. There is a 1% chance of this happening but it’s happened to me.” The YouTube star then shared her frustrations as she ranted: “Why me? My eye doesn’t open, my eyelid has dropped and I don’t want to be seen out in public. I think it wears off in like two to three weeks but guys, why me? This isn’t right. I actually do think the world’s worst luck when it comes to things like this, that’s why I just don’t bother.
“I don’t bother with my lips, don’t bother with my face, because it just always, always, always goes wrong. It wasn’t a risk that I was aware of, it wasn’t something that I knew could ever happen. If you’re thinking about getting Botox, there is a 1% chance that this could happen to you. It’s happened to me.” Alongside the video, Zoe added the caption: “You can’t write it honestly. If you don’t laugh you’ll cry, thank God it wears off.”
Now a cosmetics expert has exclusively shared the dangers of Botox, and the side-effects that people don’t speak about enough. “Despite undergoing Botox around six times without issue, Zoe found herself dealing with ptosis (eyelid drooping), a rare but distressing complication. As a cosmetic professional, I often emphasize that while Botox is generally safe, precision is key. When injected incorrectly or if the product migrates beyond the intended area, it can temporarily paralyze unintended muscles, leading to issues such as asymmetry or, in Zoe’s case, difficulty in lifting the eyelid,” cosmetics specialist Hannah Browne shared.
“Eyelid ptosis occurs when Botox affects the levator palpebrae superioris, the muscle responsible for opening the upper eyelid. This can happen due to improper injection placement or when the product spreads beyond the targeted area. While the likelihood of this happening is relatively low—estimated at around 1%—it’s still a significant concern for patients who rely on Botox for both cosmetic and medical purposes. The effects, though temporary, can last several weeks to a few months, depending on the individual’s metabolism and how quickly their body breaks down the toxin. Some patients may find relief with specialized eye drops that stimulate muscle contraction, but ultimately, they must wait for the Botox to wear off naturally.”
The expert went on to address the psychological aspects that comes with undergoing any form of cosmetic procedure and the risks that come with them. “Zoe’s experience also highlights the psychological impact of Botox complications. She admitted to staying at her mother’s house to avoid being seen in public, which underscores how aesthetic treatments, when they don’t go as planned, can have emotional and social consequences. Many patients turn to Botox to enhance their confidence, and when results don’t meet expectations or lead to unexpected side effects, it can be distressing.
“To minimize these risks, it’s crucial to seek treatment from a highly trained and experienced injector who understands facial anatomy and uses precise injection techniques. Patients should also be aware that Botox requires proper aftercare to prevent migration—avoiding strenuous exercise, excessive rubbing of the face, and lying down for several hours post-treatment can help reduce the chances of complications.
“Zoe’s case serves as a cautionary tale, not to deter individuals from getting Botox, but to reinforce the importance of informed decision-making, expert administration, and awareness of potential risks. Botox remains one of the safest and most effective non-surgical treatments available, but like any procedure, it requires careful consideration to achieve the best results safely.”
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