How do anti-ageing injections work, can they cause facial paralysis and what happened to Belinda Hayle?
ANTI-AGEING injections are incredibly popular, and most people never have a problem with them.
But as with any procedure, there are risks. Here's everything you need to know.
How do anti-ageing injections work?
Anti-ageing injections are made from a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin.
This paralyses underlying muscles, meaning the injections can be used to help relax facial muscles and make lines and wrinkles - such as crow's feet and frown lines - less obvious.
"It's a poison secreted by the bacteria," plastic surgeon Norman Rowe, MD, tells .
But don't freak out too much about the word "poison".
It all comes down to purity and dose, and can be used safely for cosmetic purposes.
The describes the injections as "temporarily altering your appearance without the need for surgery".
While they're hugely popular for aesthetic purposes, they can also be used for other conditions, such as excessive sweat.
What happened to Belinda Hayle?
Belinda Hayle is a mother-of-two who started having anti-ageing injections at the age of 35.
As a semi-permanent make-up artist, she had TV stars among her clients.
But after 10 years of undergoing the injections, one ended up permanently damaging her appearance.
Poisoned, she was left with facial paralysis and now struggles to speak, eat and even smile.
Swallowing difficulties mean she’s at constant risk of choking on her food and she has violent seizures up to four times a day.
She told The Sun Online: "The injection itself was far more painful that usual.
"When I woke up [the next day] my face felt really wrong.
"I couldn’t see out of one eye and when I grabbed a mirror I gasped in horror at my lopsided reflection.
"Three years on from the jab I’m still under the care of private doctors and also have homeopathic treatments.
"I’ve been left with permanent facial paralysis."
What is botulism?
According to the NHS, botulism is a very rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
These toxins are some of the most powerful known to science. They attack the nervous system (nerves, brain and spinal cord) and cause (muscle weakness).
Most people will make a full recovery with treatment, but the paralysis can spread to the muscles that control breathing if it's not treated quickly. This is fatal in around 5-10% of cases.
The time it takes to develop symptoms can vary from a few hours to several days after exposure to the Clostridium botulinum bacteria or their toxins.
Depending on the exact type of the condition (see Causes and types of botulism below), some people initially have symptoms such as feeling sick, vomiting, stomach cramps, or .
Without treatment, botulism eventually causes paralysis that spreads down the body from the head to the legs. Symptoms can include drooping eyelids, blurred or facial muscle weakness, slurred speech and breathing difficulties.
Can they cause facial paralysis?
Anti-ageing injections are usually safe, but in a small amount of cases they can cause botulism, a very rare but life-threatening condition.
Studies - including one in 2016 by the University of Wisconsin Madison and published in the journal Cell Reports - have shown that botulinum can migrate from the intended target to other cells in the body.
This can lead to paralysis.
More health Q&As
To avoid side effects, the NHS recommends taking time to find a reputable practitioner who is properly qualified and practises in a clean, safe and appropriate environment.
If there are any complications that require medical attention, go back to the practitioner who treated you.
If this is not possible, you can go to your GP or local accident and emergency (A&E) department.