Alcohol causes blood thinning and acts as a vasodilator too. It is ideal to wait for around twenty-four hours to consume alcohol. This blog explains the meaning of Botox, how long patients have to wait before drinking alcohol after botulinum toxin treatments, and why alcohol is prohibited after Botox.
Botulinum toxin treatment is a safe procedure but has side effects. After treatment, the patient should avoid certain things, including alcohol. Alcohol causes blood thinning andblood vessel dilation. As a result, it may worsen swelling and bruising, which are common side effects of the anti-wrinkle treatment.Consuming alcohol after botulinum toxin injections is strictly prohibited to minimise the risks. Apart from alcohol, you should also avoid strenuous exercises, blood-thinning medications and hot temperatures. It isvital to follow the tips given by your cosmetic doctor to lessen your downtime. Keep on reading to find out this and more.
Understanding Botox
According to Grando& Zachary (2018), botulinum toxin treatments alleviate ageing signs like wrinkles and facial lines. Bonafinni,Cocozza&Jin(2020) suggested thatit also tackles various medical conditions, including chronic migraine, strabismus, cervical dystonia, and blepharospasm.
Botulinum toxin treatments work by blocking certain nerve impulses that cause muscle contraction. Therefore, it alleviates facial lines and wrinkles. Botox effects last between three to twelve months. Some factors that affect its longevity include the area of treatment.
Landau et al.(2020) noted that some common side effects of the anti-wrinkle treatment include swelling and bruising. However, in rare cases, the patient may experience flu-like symptoms and an upset stomach. Szwed et al.(2022)suggested that drooping eyelids may also be experienced when the drug is injected into the face. However, that’s only temporary. Botulinum toxin injections are strictly prohibited towards breastfeeding and pregnant patients.
How Long Should You Wait to Drink Alcohol After Botox?
You should wait 24-48 hours to take a shot after botulinum toxin treatments. It minimises the risk of swelling and bruising. However, that does not mean bruising or swelling may not occur. It is normal toexperience bruising right after Botox injections. However, taxingalcohol way sooner may increase its longevity.
Why Is Alcohol Prohibited After Botox?
Alcohol consumption after botulinum toxin treatments may cause more bruising at the injection site. It may also cause swelling since it acts similarly to blood thinning medications. Additionally, it is a vasodilator,meaning it causes the blood vessels to expand more.
Alcohol consumption after the anti-wrinkle treatment may cause a “wine face”. This name describes the characteristics observed in regular alcohol consumers. One of the major signs of this condition is eyebrow line deepening, which is one of the major reasons individuals turn to Botox.
Additionally, alcohol may cause dehydration. In the longterm, frequent alcohol consumption increase the ageing process. If your major purpose of getting botulinum toxin treatment was tackling ageing, you should minimise alcohol consumption.
Other Things to Avoid After the Anti-wrinkle Treatment
Rubbing the Face
The injected area normally heals very fast. However, rubbing it may irritate, prolonging swelling and redness. In some other cases, it may also cause bruising.
Lying on the Face
Lying on the face is prohibited for approximately four hours after the procedure.
Strenuous Activities
Strenuous exercises should be avoided twenty-four hours after the injections for several reasons. They include:
- Strenuous exercises increase blood flow, causing botulinum toxin treatment break downmore quickly. Avoiding strenuous activities helps the Botox settle, giving more time for the skin tightening effect.
- Strenuous exercise also increases blood pressure. As a result, swelling increases. Avoid strenuous activities for around twenty-four hours or until the swelling subsides.
- Exercising causes sweating. Sweat may increase the chances of an infection, irritating the injection area.
After twenty-four hours, it’s okay to exercise. However, waiting for around seven days is advisable to be on the safer side. This allows the botulinum toxin to settle in, maximising its results and decreasing any chances of side effects caused by exercises.
You may try walking or other light exercises if you need to exercise.
Sun Exposure and Heat
Sweat may cause skin irritation and increases the risk of infection. Too much heat causes skin inflammation causing prolonged swelling. Sunbeds, heat lamps and tanning beds should be avoided too. It is best to avoid these places for around twenty-four hours after the injections.
Frequently Asked Questions about Botox
How Long Does Botulinum Toxin Last?
Botulinum toxin injections last approximately three to six months. Once it wearsoff, wrinkles and facial lines may come back. When used for other conditions like excessive sweating, its symptoms return too. Once the drug wears off, the patient must get more injections to acquire similar results.
Are There Any Risks Associated with Botox Injections?
A patient may experience mild side effects after the anti-wrinkle treatment, such as neck pain and headaches. Other side effects include;swelling and redness in the injected area. Indigestion is also another common side effect. However, eye-dropping is a major concern. Though temporary, it may signify a serious medical condition.When experienced, the patient should seek medical attention right away. The client should also call the aesthetic doctor once they notice face numbness, trouble breathing and blurry vision.
What Foods and Drinks Should I Avoid after Botox?
Botox requires no special diet. So, you shouldn’t avoid any foods or beverages. However, some supplements and foodsmay increase the chances of bruising.
Summary
Botox is a type of Botulinum toxin treatment. Botulinum toxin treatment is considered safe. However, like various surgery options, it has various side effects, such as bruising and swelling. Hence, your cosmetic doctor may disallow multiple things, such as alcohol consumption. According to studies, alcohol may cause blood thinning and expansion of blood vessels. As a result, it may worsen bruising and swelling. Additionally, it causes dehydration which may intensify swelling and bruising. Constant alcohol consumption may also diminish the anti-wrinkle treatment effects way more quicker. According to most cosmetic injectors, the patient shouldavoid alcohol twenty-four hours after the treatment.
References
Bonaffini, S. G., Cocozza, V., & Jin, J. (2020). BOTOX injection to treat strabismus after infant botulism type B infection. American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, 20, 100895.
Grando, S. A., & Zachary, C. B. (2018). The non‐neuronal and nonmuscular effects of botulinum toxin: an opportunity for a deadly molecule to treat disease in the skin and beyond. British Journal of Dermatology, 178(5), 1011-1019.
Landau, M., Nestor, M. S., de Almeida, A. T., & Al‐Niaimi, F. (2020). Botulinum toxin complications in registered and off‐label aesthetic indications. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 19(10), 2484-2490.
Szwed, M., Szwed, J., &Dzikowski, M. (2022). Botulinum toxin (BoNT) in the correction of mimic wrinkles-the most common complications. Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 12(8), 714-721.
GP
The work of a family doctor includes a wide range of clinical diversity, which requires extensive knowledge and erudition from a specialist. However, I believe that the most important thing for a family doctor is to be human because the cooperation and understanding between the doctor and the patient are crucial in ensuring successful health care. On my days off, I love being in nature. Since childhood, I have been passionate about playing chess and tennis. Whenever I have time off, I enjoy traveling around the world.
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