What Not to Do After Botox: Taking Care Of Your New Face
One of the most common aesthetic treatments in America, botox injections can help reduce the wrinkled appearance of your facial features when you make certain expressions. Botox can also be used to increase the appearance of volume in the lips and other parts of the face.
Though the procedure is just a few quick injections, it takes a little time for the Botox to actually kick in. That’s why your technician will provide you with a set of aftercare instructions that will keep you from messing up your injections. Here’s a few of the most important ones!
What Does Botox Actually Do?
Botox is well-known for its wrinkle-reducing, face-volumizing effects. These effects are achieved by injecting botulinum toxin (a chemical produced by Clostridium botulinum) into the area where the problem is. (Don’t let the word “toxin” scare you— it’s a small amount, and the effects don’t last forever!) Essentially, Botox blocks the targeted facial muscles from responding to the nerve signals that usually fire when you frown, squint, or smile, getting rid of wrinkles.
What Not To Do After Botox
Since your injection technician will be selecting areas to achieve the desired results, it’s important that the toxin doesn’t spread around underneath your skin. All of these recommendations are aimed at keeping the toxin where it’s supposed to stay. If you follow your doctor’s instructions, you can expect your Botox treatment to last three to six months!
Do Not Rub Or Massage The Area
As we mentioned above, a physical, liquid substance is being injected into your face. In order to keep the toxin from affecting unwanted areas of your face, it’s important to keep your hands away from your face. Do not itch, rub, or massage the injection sites at all. When you wash your face, be careful not to put any pressure on the areas in which you were injected.
Do Not Lie On Your Face
For the same reasons, you also should not sleep, nap, or rest on your face. Repeated pressure on the injection site will cause the toxin to spread around— this can potentially paralyze and numb parts of your face that were not part of your Botox plan.
Do Not Apply Makeup
We know, this one might be a bit of a bummer. But since the application of makeup usually requires foam brushes, pressing on the skin, and massaging products onto the surface, you’ll need to go all-natural for the day after your appointment. We recommend that you avoid makeup for the first 12-24 hours after your injections.
Do Not Drink A Lot Of Alcohol
This one might seem a bit odd, but the consumption of alcohol can actually affect your end results. Since one of the effects of alcohol is that it can widen your blood vessels, there is a greater risk of bruising, dry skin, and swelling if you consume a good amount of alcohol before or after your procedure.
Do Not Stay Out In The Sun
Aside from creating the potential for tighter skin and sunburn, sun exposure will cause your skin to flush— this also increases your chances for bruising and swelling following your treatment.
Botox In Orlando
At HZ Plastic Surgery in Orlando, Florida, one of our favorite non-invasive procedures is Botox injections— its uses are highly versatile allowing you to reduce the appearance of frown lines, crow’s feet, furrowed brows, and more! Schedule an appointment with an injection specialist today.