Congratulations! You decided you were ready to try Botox® injections. After a comprehensive consultation, you received your treatment and can’t wait to show your evolving results to the world. People will comment things like, “You look so refreshed,” or even, “You look radiant today.” But to maintain your Botox® results and avoid any complicated side effects, you must maintain proper Botox® aftercare. Post-treatment, there are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind. 

Your practitioner will thoroughly review your aftercare instructions and answer any questions you may have. But here is a handy refresher, so you will always know exactly what steps to take when you leave the spa and venture back into the world. 

Botox®: A Refresher

If you’re doing some research before getting treatment, Botox® is one of the safest and most popular cosmetic treatments worldwide. It is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promoting a smoother and more youthful appearance. Botox® does this by reducing and restricting specific muscles to eliminate creasing and wrinkles. Treatment is highly targeted to specific areas. Botox® can be used to ward off the signs of aging whether you’re in your 20s and 30s or your 60s and up. And Botox® is for men and women. Yes, men use Botox® too! (Primarily to combat deep brow lines). 

Regarding the treatment area, you can receive Botox® anywhere on your face, but it is primarily used to soften smile lines, crow’s feet, and furrowed brow lines. Results typically are noticeable within 24-48 hours after treatment. 

Botox® Aftercare Instructions

Now that the refresher is out of the way, picture this: you’re leaving the spa after Botox® injections. Now what? What should you do? What should you avoid? 

You want to minimize bruising and prevent the spread of Botox® to other areas of the face. Don’t worry; this isn’t something that can occur easily. But keep in mind that your skin just received an injection, so it may be red or slightly swollen. Here are a few things you can do as part of your Botox® aftercare. 

Ice Ice Baby – Ice is your friend! It will reduce swelling and any pain you may experience. Gently apply a cold compress to the area to relieve these symptoms. Be careful not to apply pressure to the compress, as you do not want to press down on your treatment sites. 

Avoid Pressure – You should avoid putting any pressure on the treatment area 24 to 48 hours after your treatment. This may mean adjusting your schedule for the day and being extra careful when you sleep. If you are a side or stomach sleeper, you may want to try sleeping on your back the night after treatment. 

Do Not Touch – Along the same lines of avoiding pressure around your treatment area, you will also want to avoid touching, picking, or scratching the area. Your fingers can spread bacteria if they come in contact with your freshly treated face. Remember, injections! So, avoid touching your face as much as possible as part of your Botox® aftercare.  

Pass on the Makeup – You should avoid wearing cosmetics the first 24 to 48 hours after receiving your injections. This is for three reasons: 1) To prevent infection by having any contaminated items come in contact with your injection site. 2) Avoid bruising since makeup often involves applying pressure to the skin. 3) To maintain your skin’s natural appearance so you can be aware of possible side effects. If your skin experiences discoloring or excessive bruising, you might not be able to notice right away if you are wearing makeup. 

Take it Easy – One of the many benefits of Botox® injections is no downtime after treatment. You can resume your daily activities within reason. Activities you should avoid immediately after treatment include exercise, water activities such as swimming, and any other strenuous activity. It is advisable to wait 24-48 hours before resuming a vigorous exercise routine. In short, you just want to maintain a normal heart rate during this healing time to prevent additional swelling or bruising. 

Pause Other Skin Treatments – Immediately after receiving Botox® injections is no time for chemical peels, facials, microdermabrasion, dermal fillers, or even a full body massage. You do not want to manipulate the skin around your treatment area or stimulate excess blood circulation to avoid bruising. 

Skip the Wine – Unfortunately, you’ll want to abstain from alcohol for at least 24 to 48 hours after treatment. It can dilate your blood vessels and increase your blood pressure. Therefore, a glass of wine or a beer after Botox® could increase swelling and the probability of bruising. But, it will be worth the wait. 

Maintain Good Posture – The critics of Botox® often claim it will make you look like a frozen statue. When you receive treatment from a reputable provider, you can rest assured that your results will look natural, not stoic. However, you may want to embrace statue-like qualities such as good posture and little leaning over after treatment. If you lean over, even to stare down at your cell phone, this messes with your blood circulation and can cause trauma to the face as it heals from your treatment. 

Avoid Prolonged Sun Exposure – On a non-Botox® treatment day, you want to wear plenty of SPF and avoid sunburn. However, you must avoid prolonged sun exposure after receiving Botox® injections. Heat can increase your blood pressure and promote bruising. Sun can cause sunburn to your skin, which is actively healing. 

Practice Facial Exercises – While there is plenty of “don’ts” post-Botox®, there are a few “dos” to keep in mind. About one hour after treatment, you will want to start doing some very gentle facial exercises. This means smiling, frowning, and raising your eyebrows, slowly. This will help your treatment take effect. Practice this for a few hours after treatment, starting within the first hour. 

Medication – Talk with your practitioner about what medications are safe to take should you need any painkillers after treatment. Make sure you disclose your health history so your practitioner can make the safest recommendation to benefit your overall health and treatment outcomes. 

Enjoy Your Results – Your loved ones will notice, and you will, too, every time you look in the mirror. Botox® results typically last 3 to 6 months. If you are happy with your treatment results, you can resume treatment to maintain your results at your convenience. 

You Should Call the Doctor If…

Adverse side effects and negative reactions associated with Botox® injections are rare. But if you experience any of the following, you may want to follow up with your practitioner and/or call your doctor:

  • Numbness in your face that does not go away
  • A persistent headache 
  • Eye drooping
  • Trouble swallowing or breathing
  • Blurry vision
  • Signs of infection such as crusting or bleeding at the injection site
  • Paralysis of the face
  • Severe indigestion
  • Difficulty talking
  • Muscle weakness
  • Sudden urinary incontinence

Once again, Botox® is one of the safest cosmetic treatments available, but awareness is essential in protecting your health. These side effects are extremely rare. 

Learn More

Want to learn more about Botox® aftercare? Or perhaps you are ready to enjoy your first treatment. The knowledgeable and compassionate team at First Impressions Rejuvenation Clinic is happy to answer any questions. View before and after treatment images of actual patients. Discuss your health history. Identify your skincare goals and how Botox® can work for you. All you need to do is book a consultation. The team will care for you, helping you look and feel your best. Remember, you are worth it.

*****************

Women over 40 may experience a very common and widespread condition: sexual dysfunction. But that doesn’t mean they have you “grin and bear it.” There are so many treatments available to enhance sexual wellness at any age. Learn more when you download our FREE ebook, Bring It Out of the Bedroom: Give Your Love Life the Boost You Both Deserve with Save, Proven Treatments for Sexual Rejuvenation.