What you shouldn’t do after BOTOX?
Taking care of your appearance with anti-aging treatments is empowering. As one of the most popular facial treatments, BOTOX injections may be a standard aspect of your self-care. While BOTOX is considered to be a downtime-free treatment, the first 24 hours following your injections are crucial in the success of your treatment. Here a few things you should know to get the best result from your injections:
Exercise
Exercise within the first 24 hours following BOTOX injections is a no-no. It’s important to allow the solution to settle into place, and physical exertion could lead to uneven results. Avoid all strenuous physical activity for one day. Getting your heart rate pumping could cause BOTOX to spread to areas that you and your doctor didn’t intend. The types of activities to avoid include:
- Cardiovascular exercise
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Other forms of strenuous physical activity or exercise – anything that could cause you to “work up a sweat.”
We promise, you can get right back to the gym after that.
Touching your face or laying down
Touching your face after getting BOTOX injections must be avoided. First, you could encourage the product to spread to places you never intended to be treated with BOTOX. By touching your injection sites, you risk spreading infection to the injection sites and complications. Lying down can have a similar effect. You should not lie down for at least four hours following treatment, so the BOTOX has the chance to settle exactly where it should be.
Alcohol
It’s best to avoid alcohol several days before and at least one day after injections with BOTOX, as it can encourage bruising, slowing the process.
Medications that thin your blood
As with alcohol, NSAIDs and blood thinners immediately following your procedure. Your doctor will let you know when you may resume taking these medications.
Stay out of the heat
Until the redness and mild swelling have dissipated following treatment, it is best to avoid extremely hot temperatures, so no sunbathing, beach, or pool time. While UV exposure will not have an adverse effect on the success of your BOTOX injections, doing your best to avoid prolonged sun exposure will keep your skin healthy and young-looking for longer.
Flying
There is some concern that the changes in air pressure which occur within flying could cause BOTOX to migrate to other areas of the face. It is best to wait 24-48 hours after your injections to fly.
Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington
If you’re considering treatment with BOTOX, don’t take chances. The best results can be achieved when you are under the care of a board-certified plastic surgeon with the training and experience to produce tasteful, natural-looking results. Our board-certified plastic surgeons believe there is no one-size-fits-all answer for cosmetic enhancement. We pride ourselves in our individualized approach to each patient, carefully listening to their aesthetic vision. If you’re seeking BOTOX in DC or the Bethesda areas, we invite you to discover our world-class enhancement clinic in Washington.
