BOTOX Do’s and Don’ts
June 11, 2015
The most popular non-surgical wrinkle treatment is BOTOX® Cosmetic with over 6.1 million procedures performed in 2013 and growing. The downtime is minimal and the results have never been better. A treatment typically takes 15-30 minutes and can last 3-6 months. While a Botox treatment might be something you can fit into your lunchtime, there are precautions before and after the treatment that are important to follow.
What NOT to Do BEFORE your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment
You can avoid or reduce swelling and bruising that can happen after a BOTOX® Cosmetic or filler treatment. Paula M. Aman, a board-certified, master’s degree level, Physician’s Assistant, or PA-C, has been injecting BOTOX® Cosmetic for nearly a decade. Her very gentle technique, includes utilizing a very small caliber needle to minimize bruising even in patients who may be more susceptible to bruising, thereby promoting your safety and comfort. Some patients will have some temporary swelling, redness and small bumps – like a mosquito bite, although these typically resolve in about an hour or less. If you are someone that is more sensitive to treatments, you may want to plan your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment at a time when you don’t have another appointment the same day. Camouflage makeup can cover bruising if needed.
If you are taking medications, always disclose this prior to a BOTOX® Cosmetic injection. Even over the counter medications and natural supplements can cause thinning of the blood, which can increase the incidence of bruising. Avoid these common medications and supplements at least seven days prior: aspirin, Exedrin, ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve, Motrin), St John’s Wort, Omega Fatty acids, Vitamin E, Ginko Biloboa, and Ginseng. If you need a pain reliever, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is okay to take before your injection.
Avoid alcohol for two days prior to your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment (including that glass of wine). Alcohol thins the blood and can increase your risk of bruising. Also, tell your injector if you are susceptible to cold sores, they may prescribe you an anti-viral before your treatment, especially if you are using BOTOX to correct lip lines.
What NOT to Do AFTER your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment
You may see small bumps, redness and possible bruising after your treatment, which is normal. If you see anything that is concerning or out of the ordinary after your treatment, contact your injector.
Give the BOTOX® Cosmetic time to settle into the injected areas and stay sitting up. Avoid lying down for at least four hours following your appointment. You also get a gym pass. No workouts after your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments for 24 hours.
Lastly, resist the urge to touch or rub the injection sites. Not only does the product need time to settle, your skin needs to recover from the injection. Wash your face that evening and apply makeup as need, but not vigorously. BOTOX® Cosmetic will take 2-3 days for the product to work, so sit back, relax and enjoy the next week watching your fine lines and wrinkles fade away!
