Botox injections are an effective cosmetic procedure to clear wrinkles and fine lines. A Botox injection uses mild toxin to paralyze skin muscles partially. However, it would help if you had some after botox care precautions to make the treatment effective.
Besides aging signs, you can use Botox for other treatments like excessive sweating, neck spasm, chronic migraine, lazy eyes, and overactive bladder. Let us check the instructions you should follow.
After Botox Care Instructions
The main aim after Botox care is to realize optimum results from the treatment. They also help eliminate the risks of spreading toxins to other areas and bruising.
On the appointment day, you should prepare your skin to receive the injection. Thus, you should cleanse your skin of any topical impurities. After the appointment, you should relax, rest, and avoid touching your face. Also, sit upright for at least 4 hours after the treatment. We’ll check the reasons for all this later on.
Return to Routine
Botox treatment does not have a downtime. You can return to your routine soon after the appointment. However, it’s advisable to take one day off for the treatment. You’ll need to relax for the rest of the day. Also, avoid any stressful activity.
Sit Up
Botox can easily get into your bloodstream. However, its density allows it to settle on the area of injection. It would help if you then set up for some hours to allow the injection to set. Any bending activity can cause the toxins to flow to the eyes’ area, leading to drooping eyes.
During bedtime, use pillows to raise your head. It helps to keep the blood flow to the head normal. It also gives time for Botox to rest well on the injected areas.
Pause Exercise
Exercises increase your heart rate. In return, the blood will pump faster. The speed can carry Botox to other unintended areas. Also, it reduces Botox concentration on the treatment area- causing the injection to be ineffective. If you need to exercise, you should avoid anything that involves bending or cardio exercise. You can have a long, slow walk, upright yoga, or gardening. Also, you can try some facial exercises like smiling, frowning, raising eyebrows, and grinning. Facial exercise speeds up the healing process. Resume your workout routine after three days.
Stay Makeup-Free
Makeup application involves the use of different tools and application methods. Some need you to pass a brush over your skin, and others need to rub a cream or powder with your hands or a sponge. Thus, you can rub your face in the process. Therefore, you should avoid any makeup in the first 24 hours after the injection; however, experts recommend 48 hours.
Avoid Touching Your Face
The greatest after Botox care is avoiding spreading toxins to other areas. Touching your face is the greatest agent of the spread of toxins. Experts recommend you avoid touching your face for at least three days. However, the first 24 hours are the most crucial.
Since many people touch their faces unconsciously, you can ask someone to stay by your side and warn you when you are about to touch your face. Alternatively, you can wear gloves that you can notice whenever you raise your hands towards your face.
Don’t Sleep On the Treated Area
Many people sleep on their side while others are on their tummy. Few people will sleep facing up. Your sleeping position may make your face press hard on the pillow. It is okay on normal days but may not be okay after a Botox injection.
As an after Botox care, you should avoid sleeping on your face at all costs. It helps prevent pressure on the treated area. Thus, Botox will rest well on your facial muscles.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol will increase the risk of bruising. Thus, it would help if you avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours after the treatment. It also causes moisture retention, which can drop the effectiveness of Botox significantly.
Alcohol acts as a mild blood thinner. That’s why experts recommend you reduce its use a week before a Botox appointment.
Delay Other Skin Treatments
All facial treatments involve touching and rubbing your face. Thus, they can spread the toxins easily. You should wait for at least one week before you schedule a facial treatment. The time allows the Botox to set and take effect.
Skin treatments are usually intense. You may need facial scrubs that rub your face thoroughly. Those are capable of shifting the Botox injection even when you have stayed one week after the appointment.
Head massages may increase blood flow to your face. So, you should skip your head massage at least 24 hours after the treatment.
Avoid Tight Headwear Across the Forehead
People wear tight headwear to prevent them from slipping. However, it is unwise to wear them after a Botox injection. The head wears presses the blood vessels: thus preventing smooth blood flow.
Avoid Direct Sun
Direct sun exposure can increase the temperature of your skin. Thus, ensure you are away from sunlight the first 4 hours after the injection. Also, you should wear sunblock any time you step out of the house. It helps prevent sun damage and wrinkles after you get a Botox treatment.
Avoid Heat
Heat increases the rate of blood flow, which then increases the chances of bruising. Thus, you should avoid hot showers, saunas, or anything that increases body temperatures. Do not stay in hot environments for long. Ensure you regulate your house temperature to favorable conditions.
Consult About Medication
If you have medication for any condition, you should talk with your doctor about its effects. Some medications have the blood-thinning ability. Others will increase your heart rate for a few hours after you take them. Thus, you should understand their effects and how you can handle them.
There are some medications you can skip for some time. However, if it’s some drug you can’t live without, then you can opt for another facial treatment method.
You may experience headaches after the Botox. When taking painkillers, avoid any with ibuprofen or aspirin. The two ingredients are blood thinners and may increase the chances of bruising.
See a Doctor in Case of a Serious Side Effect
Another crucial after Botox care is medical attention in case of an emergency. Although the cases are minimal, it’s good to be on the lookout.
Check out for tell-a-tale signs when you need to call your doctor. Some symptoms include muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, troubled breathing, vision changes, and poor bladder. These effects need emergency medical attention, and however, they are very rare.
Take Arnica or Topical vitamin K
Bruising is a major concern about a Botox injection. Thus, you can take measures to prevent bruising. You can get topical applications to avoid bruising. Vitamin K and arnica are the typical topical applications you can take to avoid bruising.
Conclusion
After Botox care helps get the best result out of the injection, you should follow all the instructions from your expert. You’ll then enjoy the results for at least four months. You can get another injection when the previous one wears off. It helps to maintain the results for longer.