Kaley Cuoco , who spent more than a decade playing Penny on The Big Bang Theory , has come forward with an account of the moment she realized her first experience with Botox had gone wrong .

The revelation came during an appearance on Amanda Hirsch’s Not Skinny but Not Fat podcast, where the actress reflected on experimenting with cosmetic injectables for the first time while still filming the long running CBS sitcom.

  • Kaley Cuoco said her first Botox experience left her unable to move her forehead during filming
  • The actress realized the injectable was affecting her comedic timing and facial expressions
  • Experts recommend using Botox in smaller amounts to avoid stiffness

“I couldn’t believe how bad it looked ,” Cuoco admitted.

Actress Kaley Cuoco shared how her first experience with Botox almost ruined her performance onThe Big Bang Theory

Kaley Cuoco speaking into a microphone during a podcast, discussing her experience with Botox on Big Bang Theory.

Kaley Cuoco speaking into a microphone during a podcast, discussing her experience with Botox on Big Bang Theory. - 1

The injectable had become a real liability.

Cuoco said the problem became impossible to ignore during a specific scene that required elaborate facial expressions and comedic timing. Instead of reacting naturally, she found herself physically unable to move part of her face.

Kaley Cuoco on Big Bang Theory set, wearing red dress with caution tape in background, moment Botox realization.

Kaley Cuoco on Big Bang Theory set, wearing red dress with caution tape in background, moment Botox realization. - 2

“There is a scene where I have to do this thing with my face, I could not move [it],” she recalled.

“The fact that no one said anything, they probably were thinking it, I couldn’t believe how bad it looked.”

As she continued filming, she started noticing a disconnect between her delivery and her appearance, ruining her performance .

Kaley Cuoco laughing with co-star on Big Bang Theory set, revealing moment she realized she’d gone too far with Botox.

Kaley Cuoco laughing with co-star on Big Bang Theory set, revealing moment she realized she'd gone too far with Botox. - 3

“I was like literally doing these jokes and nothing moved. My forehead didn’t move and it looked like I was trying to move it,” she said.

Botox works by temporarily paralyzing targeted muscles, blocking nerve signals that allow them to contract.

Kaley Cuoco Reveals Moment On 'Big Bang Theory' She Realized She'd Gone Too Far With Botox - 4

While that can smooth wrinkles and prevent future ones from forming, it also limits micro-expressions that actors rely on to convey emotion, especially in close up shots.

Experts recommend injecting smaller amounts on key areas of the face to avoid stiffness

Kaley Cuoco as Penny talking to Sheldon Cooper on the Big Bang Theory set in a living room scene.

Kaley Cuoco as Penny talking to Sheldon Cooper on the Big Bang Theory set in a living room scene. - 5

Following the on set realization, Cuoco said she made a conscious decision to slow down before cosmetic tweaks overtook her natural expressions completely.

That decision, however, did not mean abandoning injectables altogether.

Kaley Cuoco smiling with a friend indoors, sharing a moment related to Botox and Big Bang Theory insights.

Kaley Cuoco smiling with a friend indoors, sharing a moment related to Botox and Big Bang Theory insights. - 6

Cuoco acknowledged that she still “loves a bit of Botox,” but now approaches it with restraint. Instead of her forehead, she opts for injections around her eyes and in her neck, areas she feels allow her to maintain movement while still achieving the effect she wants.

Kaley Cuoco on Big Bang Theory podcast, sharing moment she realized she’d gone too far with Botox.

Kaley Cuoco on Big Bang Theory podcast, sharing moment she realized she'd gone too far with Botox. - 7

According to Suresh Mohan, a cosmetic surgeon based in Wimbledon, the key to preserving expression while still enjoying the smoothing effect of Botox can be achieved by asking skilled practitioners to use lower doses and treat specific areas.

Kaley Cuoco with long blonde hair and layered necklaces, sharing her Botox experience during Big Bang Theory days.

Kaley Cuoco with long blonde hair and layered necklaces, sharing her Botox experience during Big Bang Theory days. - 8

In particular, crow’s feet around the eyes or preorbital regions were singled out as being able to refresh a customer’s appearance without limiting their facial movement too much.

Cuoco has been outspoken about her cosmetic surgeries, saying they improved her self-esteem

Woman smiling and lifting hair at party with festive lights and Happy 4th sign, reflecting on Botox moment on Big Bang Theory.

Woman smiling and lifting hair at party with festive lights and Happy 4th sign, reflecting on Botox moment on Big Bang Theory. - 9

During the same conversation, Cuoco also revisited her history with surgical cosmetic procedures, including her breast augmentations.

The actress has had her breasts done twice, with the first one being done when she was 18, and has said she hopes to undergo a third procedure in the future, describing the initial surgery as the “best decision” she has ever made.

Kaley Cuoco Reveals Moment On 'Big Bang Theory' She Realized She'd Gone Too Far With Botox - 10

In a 2014 interview with women’s fashion magazine Redbook , the actress explained that the decision stemmed from long standing discomfort with her proportions rather than any desire to project appeal.

Kaley Cuoco Reveals Moment On 'Big Bang Theory' She Realized She'd Gone Too Far With Botox - 11

“I always felt ill-proportioned. My implants made me feel more confident in my body. It wasn’t about trying to be a prn star or wanting to look hot and sxy,” she said at the time.

Kaley Cuoco at a black star-patterned backdrop event, discussing her experience with Botox on Big Bang Theory.

Kaley Cuoco at a black star-patterned backdrop event, discussing her experience with Botox on Big Bang Theory. - 12

Cuoco has also been open about undergoing a nose job, another decision she has consistently defended.

“As much as you want to love your inner self … I’m sorry, you also want to look good,” Cuoco said in a 2016 interview with Women’s Health .

“I don’t think you should do it for a man or anyone else, but if it makes you feel confident, that’s amazing.”

“She looks different.” Netizens discussed the changes the actress went through in The Big Bang Theory

Kaley Cuoco Reveals Moment On 'Big Bang Theory' She Realized She'd Gone Too Far With Botox - 13

Kaley Cuoco from Big Bang Theory discussing the moment she realized she had gone too far with Botox treatments

Kaley Cuoco from Big Bang Theory discussing the moment she realized she had gone too far with Botox treatments - 14

Kaley Cuoco discussing her experience with Botox during Big Bang Theory and realizing she may have gone too far.

Kaley Cuoco discussing her experience with Botox during Big Bang Theory and realizing she may have gone too far. - 15 Kaley Cuoco Reveals Moment On 'Big Bang Theory' She Realized She'd Gone Too Far With Botox - 16 Kaley Cuoco Reveals Moment On 'Big Bang Theory' She Realized She'd Gone Too Far With Botox - 17

Kaley Cuoco open about realizing she’d gone too far with Botox during Big Bang Theory years in candid interview text.

Kaley Cuoco open about realizing she'd gone too far with Botox during Big Bang Theory years in candid interview text. - 18

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