What Not to Do Before Botox?

Patients should follow the aftercare tips given by the cosmetic doctor for a safe healing process after cosmetic treatments. In this blog, you will find out how Botox works, things to avoid before Botox treatment and the aftercare advice.

Botox is a popular brand representing a cosmetic procedure that uses a well-diluted amount of botulinum toxin. A qualified cosmetic doctor injects the neurotoxin into targeted facial muscles to minimise the chances of adverse side effects. The toxin softens fine lines and wrinkles formed due to old age and the influence of environmental factors. After receiving your botulinum toxin injection, you may experience minor bruising and swelling. However, these side effects resolve after a few days following the appointment. In addition, a patient can prevent triggering the side effects by avoiding certain activities a day or week before the appointment day.

How Does BotoxWork?

According toSatriyasa (2019), the botulinum toxin binds with certain receptors to prevent the facial muscles from contracting when injected. Asa result, the muscles weaken and soften the facial wrinkles formed by repeated muscle movements such as squinting. It is important to note that the treatment doesn’t work on wrinkles formed by sinking facial tissues like creases or thin lips. Dermal fillers are best suited for plumping thin lips or deep-rooted fine lines caused by the weakening of the tissues. Although the primary use of the Botox formula is to treat facial wrinkles, some physicians can use it for medical concerns. According toSpinu et al. (2020), Botox injections can treat certain muscular complications such as chronicmigraine, cervical dystonia (neck spasms), overactive bladder, excessive sweating, and excessive saliva production.

What to Avoid Before Botox

When performed by experienced and qualified practitioners, Botox injections are regarded safe by Food Standard Agency (FSA).  Coleman (2019) explained that untrained cosmetic doctors might wrongly place botulinum toxin, causing complications such as frozen looks, droopy eyelids, or even triggering infections like cold sores. Therefore, a week before the appointment, you should talk to your cosmetic doctor about their qualifications as you explain your medical record. Afterwards, the injector will also outline several issues to avoid a day or week before the treatment day. The following are things that should be avoided before Botox since they can interfere with the dream result or worsen the treatment side effects:

Avoid Blood Thinning Medication

After your botulinum toxin treatment, blood thinners can make the injection area more susceptible to swelling and bruising. These medications include vitamin E supplements and fish oil.  You can consult your physician if you need to take any over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, prescribed blood thinners should be paused not only before the injection but also 2 to 3 days after the injection day.

Avoid Alcohol

Botulinum toxin can provide a naturally youthful appearance. However, facial bruising can prevent you from fully benefiting from the effects of treatment as soon as possible. According to Biello,Oney& Zhu (2021), one factor that may trigger bruising is drinking alcohol a few days before the appointment. Alcohol acts as a blood thinner by preventing blood cells from sticking together in forming a clot. Instead of taking alcohol, you can drink lots of water to maintain facial skin hydration,boosting the body’s healing process.

Avoid Foods That Contain Garlic

Garlic may be beneficial to a patient’s general body health. However, consuming it a day following an anti-wrinkle injection can increase the chances of facial bruising or swelling. Therefore, eat healthier food with natural supplements like Arnica, which will help your facial muscles prevent the side effects of botulinum toxin.

Don’t Wear Makeup on the Injection Day

Before injecting the Botox formula, a qualified cosmetic doctor will perform a facial assessment and mapping to evaluate the amount of toxin required and the muscles to be treated. However, makeup will hinder the result offace analysis and waste time as the injector tries to clean off the makeup using antiseptic. In addition, makeup products may increase the likelihood of injection sites contracting infections like cold sores.

Botox Aftercare Advice

Botox formula provides a nearby immediate result where mere results start to show on the fifth day. Immediately after the injection, you might experience some bruising and swelling lasting 2 to 3 days, depending on factors like the amount of toxin injected. However, to prevent toxin migration or prolonged bruising that will negatively affect how long Botox toxin takes to settle, there are several tips and precautions that you have to adhere to. They include:

• On the night of the injection day, sleep with your head elevated to avoid applying pressure on the injection area.
• Drink a lot of water to Stay hydrated for a good body healing process
• Sit up the first 4 hours after the treatment without bending your head to avoid migration of botulinum toxin to untargeted areas. If you have to bend your head, don’t bend below 45 degrees.
• Don’t apply makeup for the first two days to avoid applying pressure on the treated area.
• Don’t apply ice packs on the injection site when you feel discomfort since the treatment is sterile.
• Don’t fly for a week since air pressure in planes can worsen Botox side effects like bruising and swelling.
• Avoid strenuous exercises like gym activities for at least 48 hours after the treatment. Extreme activities increase blood flow to all body parts, including the injected sites, triggering toxin migration to untargeted areas.
• Avoid sun damage or hot rooms for the next two days since the heat worsens,causing bruising and swelling.
• Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning drugs for at least 48 hours after the treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions about Botox

How Long Does BotulinumToxin Injection Last?

In most cases, softening of facial wrinkles by the Botox formula start to wear off a few months after the treatment. Depending on the amount injected and the patient’s body metabolism, the botulinum toxin last for approximately 3 to 6 months. Other factors like the professionality of the cosmetic doctor, depth of facial wrinkles, and the facial area being treated can also influence Botox’s dream result’s longevity.

How Long Does It Take for Botox Neurotoxin to Settle?

The Botox formula will take 14 to 30 days to relax facial muscles in smoothening facial wrinkles fully. Sometimes patients will start seeing mere changes 3 to 5 days after the treatment, but it all depends on the following:

• The area being treated
• Amount of Toxin  injected
• The skills of a cosmetic doctor
• Adherence to aftercare advice

Conclusion

Botox treatment using Botulinum toxin has been proven to be a safe and effective way to counteract facial ageing signs like wrinkles, deep-rooted fine lines, and facial folds. However, some common side effects like bruising and swelling may develop immediately after the treatment. To avoid triggering or worsening these side effects, there are various issues you should avoid a few days following the Botox injection. They include drinking alcohol, taking blood-thinning medications, applying makeup on the appointment day, taking food with Garlic, and other precautions you might be outlined by your cosmetic doctor.

References

Biello, A., Oney, R., & Zhu, B. (2021). Botulinum Toxin Treatment Of The Upper Face. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.

Coleman, K. (2019). Botulinum Toxin in Facial Rejuvenation E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Satriyasa, B. K. (2019). Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 12, 223.

Spinu, A. D., Bratu, O. G., Diaconu, C. C., Stanescu, A. M. A., Bungau, S., Fratila, O., … &Mischianu, D. L. D. (2020). Botulinum toxin in low urinary tract disorders‑over 30 years of practice. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 20(1), 117-120.