Botox treatments are a straightforward procedure that may be performed safely several times. The complete therapy procedure generally takes no more than 10 minutes. Patients should anticipate the benefits of a single Botox treatment to last 3-4 months. Following a Botox procedure, your behaviors and lifestyle choices might either increase or reduce the wrinkle-removing effects. Here are some do and don’ts after Botox treatment to ensure the best results:
Do’s:
1. Return to your normal activities
Botox injections are non-invasive and do not take long. Depending on how many places you choose to target, your entire visit can last less than an hour. Since there is no need for anesthesia, you can resume your daily activities immediately after your procedure.
This means it is perfectly fine to return to work or other physically less strenuous activities right after. After your botox injections it is recommended to resume your usual routine, with some exceptions. As a result, many clients may choose to schedule their botox injections around their lunch break.
2. Stay upright
After your Botox treatment it is highly recommended to sit up for the first 4 hours. Try to avoid laying down, taking a nap, or putting pressure on the area where you received injections. Bending or lying down may spread the Botox and cause bruising
3. Go makeup-free
Following your Botoxtreatment, consider not wearing makeup for 24 hours. The act of applying makeup involves rubbing the skin and touching your face. You may touch the area that received treatment and in order to get the most out of your treatment, you want to avoid touching your face for the first 24 hours. Applying makeup can potentially lead to dispersing the recent Botox treatment.
4. Wait 24 hours to exercise
If exercise is part of your daily routine, hold off from heavy physical activity for at least 24 hours after your Botox treatment. Depending on the extent of your procedure your doctor may suggest waiting several days after. Physical activity increases blood flow in the entire body including your face. The increased blood flow could potentially spread the Botox to undesired areas and reduce the effectiveness of the treated area. Exercise also contracts muscles which may also directly decrease the benefits of the Botox treatment.
5. Gently exercise your face
As mentioned, it is recommended that you should avoid excessive physical activity for at least 24 hours following your treatment but you can gently train your facial muscles during this time. This includes experimenting with various facial expressions such as smiling, frowning, and lifting your brows. These motions are advised because they can help you feel the benefits of your botox therapy more quickly. Along with rapidly experiencing the benefits of botox, frowning repeatedly for about one hour immediately after the procedure increases the absorption by the targeted muscle groups. After that one hour avoid extreme facial expressions for the next 12 hours.
Don’ts:
1. Drink alcohol
After your Botox treatment you should wait at least 24 hours before consuming alcohol. Your skin and any treated areas will be healing during the hours and days immediately following your Botox procedure. During this time, the areas can be easily bruised, and thinning the blood with alcohol is likely to increase the bruising effect. The result of drinking alcohol directly after or within 24 hours after your Botox treatment will increase the recovery time. The bruising will need additional time to heal compared to clients who refrained from any alcohol consumption.
2. Avoid sun exposure
Avoid direct sunlight exposure on the treated areas, especially in the first 4 hours following Botox treatment. Direct sunlight exposure might trigger flushing or raise blood pressure, both of which can result in bruising. Avoid the sun for up to 48 hours following your injection session if possible, and apply sunscreen if you must go outside. Hot tubs, saunas, hot showers, and tanning beds are other activities to avoid that increase your body temperature since they might raise your blood pressure and increase the likelihood of bruising.
3. Avoid certain medications
There are specific medications that are recommended you should not take immediately after Botox. They are medications that thin your blood like Aspirin or other heart medications. Along with alcohol, blood thinners increase the chances of excess bleeding and bruising under the skin. However, if the medication is prescribed to you by a doctor or physician, you should contact them to find out whether it is safe for you to be off that medication and when you should start taking it again following the Botox treatment.
4. Don’t sleep facedown
It is best to avoid sleeping on your face the day you receive your Botox treatment. This will minimize the pressure on your treated areas and avoid the movement of the injected Botox around your face and reduce the effects. It would be best to sleep on your back the first night and avoid taking a nap within 4 hours of your Botox treatment, which relates to the recommendation of staying upright after your procedure.
5. Refrain from other facial treatments
Avoid any additional face procedures for at least a full day following your Botox treatment. Facials, facial massages, derma fillers, and exfoliating scrubs are examples of such treatments. These treatments may cause bruising and shift the Botox from their targeted injection sites. Botox needs some time to settle into the muscle, getting any of the described skin treatments too soon can lead to reduced effects of your Botox treatment.
Botox is a non-invasive procedure that can be done in a doctor’s office, which makes it a convenient way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines on your face. Since the procedure is relatively quick and does not involve intrusive techniques you can return to almost any activity right after. However there are some best practices to follow after your Botox treatment to achieve optimal results, such as, staying upright, refraining from intense physical activity, and avoiding direct sun exposure. Your primary concerns after treatment involves reducing bruising and preventing movement of the Botox within your muscles.