Botox treatment is a procedure that temporarily stops muscle contraction preventing and eliminating wrinkles formation. And the results of this treatment may last from 3-6 months provided you follow the post-Botox instructions recommended by your clinician.
For instance, while you may feel like lying down after your treatment or taking a nap, your physician does not recommend it. Not until two to four hours are over. And when you do, you should avoid lying on your face.
While some people may ignore these Botox after-care rules, especially for habitual activities like taking alcohol after treatment, it’s prudent to do so for your benefit. And it would be best if you also went makeup-free until after 12 hours elapses. Your doctor may also ask you to wait for two weeks after your Botox before you see a dentist.
Post-Botox Instructions And Benefits Of Following Them
Below are five reasons you should follow your post-Botox instructions as advised by your doctor.
Avoid Sun Exposure After Botox Treatment
Sun is one of the enemies of your post-Botox treatment, among other therapies. It’s pretty beneficial to avoid the heat for at least 5 to 7 days. But due to unavoidable circumstances, you can’t avoid the sun; the doctors recommend using SPF of 30 and above cream containing zinc oxide.
Also, avoid taking hot showers, steaming, and sauna for 24 hours after Botox injection.
1. Why Must You Avoid The Heat?
So, the reason why you should limit your exposure to the scorching sun, it will aggravate the side effects such as redness, swelling and bruising. The heat may cause your blood pressure to rise and lead to minor and temporary bruising.
Avoid Blood Thinners
Patients should avoid taking medicines such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs such as the following:
- Advil
- Ibuprofen
- Aleve
- Motrin
- Nuprin
- Celebrex
- Fish oil
- Gingko Biloba
- St. John’s Wort
Also, you need to avoid a high dose of vitamin E for at least five days after the treatment.
2. Why Should You Avoid These Meds?
So, your doctor will request you to follow these post-Botox instructions to reduce the risk of bleeding or bruising in your treated area.
Alcohol may also cause bruising, and not only should you avoid it after your Botox injection and a few days before your treatment.
Avoid Strenuous Exercise
One of the post Botox instructions that are a no-brainer is this one. A patient must take it slow after a Botox injection. You must abstain from your routine exercises for 48 hours as your injection site is still delicate.
However, you can practice some facial expressions two hours after your Botox. And this includes raising your eyebrows and frowning. And doing this, according to specialists, may help the drug penetrate your muscles.
3. Why You Should Avoid Complex Tasks Or Exercise
Doing any heavy workout may increase the blood flow to your face, impacting your Botox treatment’s effectiveness.
Avoid Excessive Touching Of Your Face
Generally, this includes massaging, exfoliating, and using harsh products like cleansers. But a gentle and unscented cleanser can be ideal. By keeping your hands far from your face, you ensure to keep the skin free from bacteria, dirt, or any debris.
4. Why You Should Refrain From Touching
First, you reduce the chance of infecting the treated site with bacteria. And when you apply pressure to your delicate injected site, the drug might migrate to another unintended area and give undesirable results to your treatment. Wait at least 6-8 hours before proceeding with your usual skincare, such as massage.
Avoid Other Facial Therapies
While other treatments incorporate Botox injection for better outcomes, this shouldn’t come right after this therapy. Wait two weeks after your procedure before you schedule any additional cosmetic treatment such as dermal fillers. Then you can have your desired beauty routine. And these are crucial post-Botox instructions that patients must not ignore.
5. Why You Should Not Immediately Get Other Treatments After Botox
Botox treatment needs to settle for two weeks. That’s why you need to give it time before adding other cosmetic therapies. Otherwise, it would not be effective due to the interference of the added procedures.
How Long Can You Enjoy Botox Results?
Most patients see their results lasting from 3-6 months. But everyone is different, and it’s your body that will determine your Botox results. However, following the above post-Botox instructions will ensure you get a more long-lasting effect.
Tip: Add a zinc supplement to your vitamins. According to some studies, there is excellent correspondence between long-lasting results from this combination of Botox and high zinc levels in the body.
Botox Side Effects
Some of the side effects you can expect after your Botox jab include redness, bruising, swelling, and tenderness. These may subside after a few days or last for up to a week. But if the symptoms persist longer than that, inform your health caregiver.
To lessen the swelling and soreness, a patient may use cold compresses. If there is no contraindication, you may take Tylenol every 4-6 hours after the treatment and 2-3x per day during the first two days if required. And this will ease any discomfort you may have. But whenever you’re unsure of any meds, always consult your doctor.
Conclusion
Following these post-Botox instructions allows you to enjoy your Botox results longer. Most doctors recommend their patients to return for follow-up after two weeks and see if there are any complications or the need for a touch-up. Studies had shown enhanced lasting effects for patients that visited their doctors before the drug had dissipated entirely. So, please ensure you make a return visit two weeks after your treatment. And don’t forget to wear your sunscreen when you step outside.
