TL;DR — Key Takeaways

• Side effects depend entirely on the type of injection.
• Botox, bruising, swelling, drooping, rarely vision/swallowing issues.
• Dermal fillers, lumps, bruising, rarely vessel blockage (serious).
• Peptides / NAD+ / hormone shots, the most uncertain, unregulated risks.Use a qualified provider — and treat “miracle” anti-ageing shots with caution.

Anti ageing injection side effects depend on the type. Botox can cause bruising, swelling, drooping, or rare serious effects; dermal fillers can cause lumps, bruising, and rarely vessel-blockage; and unregulated peptides, NAD+, or hormone shots carry the most uncertain risks. Always use a qualified provider, and treat “miracle” anti-ageing injections with caution.

“Anti ageing injection” covers a dozen very different shots and each has its own safety profile. Before you book anything, here’s an honest, type-by-type look at the risks. (For what these injections actually are, start with what is an anti-ageing injection, and for the hormone side, our complete TRT guide.)

What Are the Side Effects of Anti Ageing Injections?

There’s no single answer, it depends on which injectable you mean. Here’s the quick map:

The biggest divide: cosmetic injectables (Botox, fillers) are well-studied and regulated, while systemic “anti-aging” shots (peptides, NAD+, hormones) are far less regulated and riskier.

Botox Side Effects

Botox is well-established for wrinkles, but it’s still a medical injection. Common effects are bruising, swelling, headache, and temporary drooping of an eyelid or brow if it spreads. Rarely, near the eyes it can cause vision difficulties, and very rarely, trouble swallowing or breathing. Done by a qualified injector at the right dose, serious effects are uncommon but it’s not “risk-free,” as it’s sometimes marketed.

Dermal Filler Side Effects

Fillers add volume, and most side effects are mild, lumps, bruising, swelling, redness, tenderness, and itching. The rare-but-serious risk is accidental injection into a blood vessel, which can cause vision abnormalities, blindness, or skin necrosis, a key reason fillers should only be done by trained professionals. A systematic review of filler adverse events confirms most are minor, but vascular complications, while rare, are why injector skill matters so much.

Peptide and NAD+ Injection Side Effects

This is where caution spikes. Many “anti-aging” peptide shots are unapproved and unregulated, and users report nausea, headaches, weakness, depression, and mood changes, with reports of serious harm, including hospitalizations, from unregulated peptide injections. NAD+ infusions commonly cause flushing, nausea, and cramping during the drip, with limited long-term safety data. These overlap with the hormone-axis peptides discussed in tesamorelin and testosterone together and CJC-1295, interesting, but quality and safety are real concerns.

Hormone Injection Side Effects (HGH & Testosterone)

When “anti-aging injection” means hormones, the risks are medical:

• HGH misused for anti-aging can cause joint pain, swelling, and insulin resistance, and is legally restricted for that use, see HGH vs testosterone therapy.
• Testosterone (TRT) has its own monitored profile, the standard TRT side effects like raised hematocrit and estrogen shifts. Crucially, testosterone is a treatment for low testosterone, not an anti-aging drug, a point we make in does HRT make you look younger and HRT benefits for skin in men.

Using hormones purely for “anti-aging” when your levels are normal isn’t appropriate and adds risk for little benefit.

How to Reduce Your Risk

1. Use a qualified, licensed provider, board-certified for cosmetic injectables; a real doctor for anything hormonal.
2. Avoid unregulated “research” peptides and online sellers, the worst risk category.
3. Be skeptical of miracle claims, “reverse aging” promises are a red flag.
4. Disclose your health history and medications.
5. For hormones, get tested first, confirm a real need with the right testosterone test and whether TRT is right for you, rather than chasing anti-aging.

The Bottom Line

Anti ageing injection side effects depend entirely on the type. Botox and dermal fillers are well-studied with mostly mild effects and rare serious risks in trained hands. Peptides, NAD+, and hormone “anti-aging” shots are far less regulated and carry the most uncertainty. The safest approach: use qualified providers, avoid unregulated products and miracle claims, and for hormones, confirm a genuine medical need first.

👉 If your “anti-aging” interest is really about energy and vitality, start with facts, not hype: check your testosterone with an at-home test kit and talk to a licensed provider before any injectable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of anti ageing injections?

It depends on the type. Botox can cause bruising, swelling, and drooping; dermal fillers can cause lumps, bruising, and rarely vessel blockage; and peptides, NAD+, or hormone shots carry more uncertain, often unregulated risks. Each has its own safety profile.

Are anti ageing injections safe?

Cosmetic injectables like Botox and fillers are generally safe with qualified providers, though not risk-free. Systemic “anti-aging” shots like unregulated peptides, NAD+, and off-label hormones are riskier and less studied. Safety depends heavily on the type and the provider.

What are the side effects of Botox?

Common Botox side effects include bruising, swelling, headache, and temporary drooping of an eyelid or brow. Rarely, it can cause vision difficulties or, very rarely, trouble swallowing or breathing. A qualified injector and correct dosing keep serious effects uncommon.

Can dermal fillers be dangerous?

Most filler side effects are mild, lumps, bruising, swelling, and redness. The rare but serious risk is accidental injection into a blood vessel, which can cause vision problems, blindness, or skin necrosis. That’s why only trained professionals should inject fillers.

Are peptide anti-aging injections safe?

Many anti-aging peptides are unapproved and unregulated, and users report nausea, headaches, weakness, and mood changes, with reports of serious harm from unregulated products. Their quality and long-term safety are real concerns, so caution and medical supervision are essential.

Do testosterone or HGH anti-aging shots have side effects?

Yes. HGH misused for anti-aging can cause joint pain, swelling, and insulin resistance and is legally restricted for that use. Testosterone has monitored effects like raised hematocrit and is a treatment for low testosterone, not an anti-aging drug.

Written by the TRT NYC Editorial Team. Reviewed against current clinical and regulatory guidance (FDA; American Academy of Dermatology; peer-reviewed filler-safety research). Last updated: June 2026.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Injectable treatments should be evaluated and administered by qualified, licensed clinicians. trtnyc.com is an independent informational resource, not a medical provider. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.