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2026.10.01
Is the Downtime for Boey® Short? A Doctor Explains Side Effects and the Post-Treatment Recovery Process
My journey into aesthetic medicine stems from a desire to help enrich and beautify lives beyond simply treating illness. My specialties include hyaluronic acid, Botox, and thread lifts. I provide treatments that enhance each individual's unique qualities and bring out an elegant, natural beauty. For concerns around the eyes that are difficult to improve with dermatology alone, I also perform surgical procedures. By integrating dermatology and surgery, I holistically balance the entire face. With three periods of overseas study, I am also able to provide consultations in English.
"If the effects of Boey® wear off in about 2 to 3 weeks, does that mean the downtime after the procedure is short?"
Some people researching Boey® may be thinking along these lines.
Boey® is a type E botulinum toxin product used for botulinum toxin injections, commonly referred to as “Botox injections.”
While the treatment is characterized by relatively rapid onset of effects and a short duration of action, the “duration of the effects” and the “duration of redness, bruising, and other side effects following the procedure” are two distinct things.
At BIANCA CLINIC, we believe it is important to understand not only the characteristics of the formulations—including these differences—but also the post-treatment course and potential side effects.
In this article, we’ll explain the downtime associated with Boey® as well as the symptoms and side effects that may occur after the procedure.
If you'd like to learn more about the features of Boey® itself,"What Is Boey®? A Doctor Explains the Characteristics of Type E Botulinum Toxin Products"Please see the following as well.
Does Boey® have less downtime because its effects last for a shorter period?
Although the effects of Boey® wear off in about 2 to 3 weeks, the duration of the effects is not the same as the length of the downtime.
According to Allergan Aesthetics (AbbVie), Boey® is said to take effect in as little as 8 hours, with the effects typically wearing off in about 2 to 3 weeks. [1]
On the other hand, downtime symptoms such as redness, swelling, and bruising are temporary reactions caused by the injection itself.
Therefore, it cannot be said categorically that “since Boey® is a short-acting medication, redness and bruising will subside quickly.”
In actual clinical practice, it seems that most patients do not need to make significant changes to their daily routines after receiving botulinum toxin injections and simply go about their lives as usual.
You may experience redness, swelling, or bruising, but these symptoms usually subside within a few days.
What symptoms might occur after a Boey® treatment?
After a Boey® treatment, you may experience temporary redness, swelling, pain, or bruising associated with the injection.
Although Boey® is a non-surgical procedure, because it involves the use of a needle to inject medication, redness, swelling, pain, or bruising may occur at the injection site.
These symptoms are not limited to Boey®; they can occur with any botulinum toxin injection.
Based on our clinical experience at Bianca Clinic, most patients return to their daily routines immediately after treatment.
However, if bruising occurs, it may affect your appearance.
While it is not possible to completely eliminate downtime, it is also important to avoid subjecting the injection site to strong stimulation after the procedure.
What are the side effects reported with Boey®?
With Boey®, side effects associated with botulinum toxin injections—such as ptosis of the eyelids and drooping eyebrows—have been reported.
According to the EU product information for Boey®, the reported incidence rates are 0.17% for ptosis, 0.13% for eyebrow ptosis, and 0.04% for the Mephisto sign (a condition in which the outer corner of the eyebrow lifts outward).
In terms of frequency, ptosis of the eyelid and ptosis of the eyebrow are classified as “uncommon,” while the Mephisto sign is classified as “rare.” [2]
Furthermore, according to the EMA (European Medicines Agency), the adverse reactions observed with Boey® were generally mild and not serious, and were similar to those seen with other botulinum toxin products. [3]
In other words, rather than saying that Boey® causes entirely different side effects, you also need to be aware of the symptoms commonly associated with botulinum toxin injections.
At Bianca Clinic, we believe it is important to develop a treatment plan while carefully assessing facial muscle movements and injection sites, taking into account the potential for side effects.
What Should You Do After a Boey® Treatment?
After the procedure, do not rub or massage the injection site vigorously, and avoid strenuous exercise immediately following the procedure.
Just because it’s Boey® doesn’t mean you need to take any special precautions; the basic precautions are the same as for standard botulinum toxin injections.
After the procedure, avoid rubbing or massaging the injection site vigorously.
When washing my face or doing my skincare routine, I make sure not to apply more pressure than necessary.
In addition, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends waiting at least two hours after a botulinum toxin injection before engaging in strenuous exercise. [4]
If you notice any unusual changes—such as redness, bruising, drooping eyelids, or sagging eyebrows—please consult a doctor rather than simply waiting to see how things develop on your own.
If you would like to learn more about the differences between Boey® and conventional Type A botulinum toxin products,"What's the Difference Between Boey® and Botox? A Comparison of Onset of Effect, Duration of Effect, and Characteristics of Type E Botulinum Toxin"Please take a look at this as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we’ll address common questions about Boey®’s downtime and side effects.
Q. Do I need to take time off work after a Boey® treatment?
A. In most cases, you won't need to take an extended leave of absence from work.
Botulinum toxin injections do not require any incisions, and in clinical practice, many patients are able to resume their normal daily activities immediately after the procedure.
However, if redness, swelling, or bruising occurs, it may affect your appearance.
Q. Since Boey® has a shorter duration of effect, does it also have less downtime?
A. Not necessarily.
The approximately 2- to 3-week period mentioned for Boey® refers to the duration of its effectiveness against frown lines.
This figure does not indicate the duration of downtime, such as redness or bruising. [1]
Q. Can Boey® cause drooping of the eyelids or eyebrows?
A. Yes, there is.
According to the EU product information, cases of ptosis (0.17%) and brow ptosis (0.13%) have been reported.
[2] Although this does not happen often, please consult your doctor if you notice any changes that concern you.
Q. What is the "Mephisto sign"?
A. The term “Mephisto sign” refers to a condition in which the outer ends of the eyebrows are raised outward, making the eyebrows appear unnatural.
According to Boey®’s EU product information, this side effect is reported at a rate of 0.04% and is classified as “rare,” meaning it is a rare side effect. [2]
Q. Does Boey® have fewer side effects because its effects last for a shorter period?
A. It cannot be concluded that a drug has few side effects or is highly safe simply because its duration of action is short.
The EMA has concluded that the adverse reactions observed with Boey® were generally mild and not serious, and were similar to those seen with other botulinum toxin products. [3]
Downtime with Boey® is not significantly different from that of typical botulinum toxin injections.
Boey® is a short-acting type E botulinum toxin product; however, just because its effects last for a short time does not necessarily mean that downtime or side effects will be shorter as well.
Boey® is a medication characterized by relatively rapid onset of action, with its effects typically subsiding in about 2 to 3 weeks.
On the other hand, redness, swelling, and bruising may occur after the procedure, and side effects such as ptosis of the eyelid or eyebrow drooping have also been reported.
It is important to distinguish between Boey®’s characteristic of “effects wearing off quickly” and “what symptoms may occur after treatment.”
At BIANCA CLINIC, we discuss not only the characteristics of the product but also its side effects and the post-treatment recovery process before determining the botulinum toxin treatment that is best suited for each individual.
Note that Boey® is a Type E botulinum toxin product, and its active ingredient is trenibotulinumtoxin E.
As of September 2026, it has not been approved in Japan; however, an application for domestic marketing approval targeting expression lines between the eyebrows in adults was submitted on November 25, 2025. [5]
References
[2]European Medicines Agency. Boey – Product Information.
[3]European Medicines Agency. Boey – EPAR.
[4]American Academy of Dermatology Association. Botulinum Toxin Therapy: FAQs.
