Botox treatment is widely recognized around the world, and there are strong reasons why. Botox is one of the most common cosmetic procedures nowadays. Getting Botox is very convenient. It is a quick procedure, usually done in under an hour, and it gives great results when speaking of facial wrinkles as well. It could be used for cosmetic purposes in addition to some medical conditions such as migraine.
A fast, outpatient procedure, with minor side effects – it should not surprise us that more and more patients come to our Manhattan plastic surgery center regularly for botox injections.
What is Actually a Botox?
Botox is a form of a bacteria “botulinum toxin” used as an injection (in an injectable form). As a neurotoxin, botox once injected into muscles that are responsible for facial wrinkling relaxes them by permanently blocking nerve impulses. Relaxed muscles make the skin of your face appear glossy and soft.
“Botox” actually stands for a brand name, and it could also be used under different brand names, such as “Xeomin” or “Dysport”.
Dos And Don’ts After Botox Treatment
Injecting botox is a common procedure routinely done in our Park Plaza Plastic Surgery Clinic in New York, and the side effects are minimal and they usually wear off within hours after receiving the treatment. However, there are some things regarding botox aftercare you should pay attention to.
Whether you have been thinking about some questions such as – “Can I drink alcohol after the botox injections?”, or “Should I apply makeup?”, or you have just heard rumors about what you should, and shouldn’t do – in this text, we’ve got you covered!
Read 7 most common “what to, and what not to do after botox”.
Avoid lying down immediately following, and in the first four hours after the botox treatment. Try to maintain an upright posture as lying down or bending could cause the toxin to spread, therefore increasing the risk of bruising. Also, it may allow for botox to spread to the upper eyelid mussels and possibly cause some temporarily drooping. Sleeping on the side of your face that has undergone botox treatment should also be avoided during the first night.
This may sound to you like a strange suggestion, but “frowning” (making an angry expression) is highly recommended in the first hour after the procedure. These facial exercises such as mentioned frowning, but also raising eyebrows and smiling make botox reach the targeted cells faster.
If you want to get the most out of your botox treatment, excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided in the first 24 hours. This has to do with the fact that alcohol dilates blood vessels and can affect swelling and bruising at the injection site.
Can you continue with your exercise routine? The answer is definitely yes, but – the best solution is to wait for the first day or two after the procedure. The reason lies in the fact that physical exercise boosts blood flow, resulting in a rise in blood pressure. This can further cause swelling around the injection area.
“Can I wear makeup after botox?”, is one of the most common questions from our female patients. If you have had botox, you may have the desire to cover up signs of the treatment such as redness or bruising. However, our doctor advises you to avoid applying makeup for 24 hours, as you could increase possible side effects and irritation.
In the first days, leave the botox-treated area alone. Rubbing your face and any type of pressure applied to the botox area is not recommended. Why? Simply because rubbing or touching could accidentally spread the toxin to other regions. On the treatment day, you should avoid any massage treatments involving the area as well.
Extreme heat can boost redness, bruising, and swelling. To explain it simply – when our body is exposed to high temperatures, our blood pressure rises, and that causes sending more blood than usual to the skin’s surface.
Formats of exposure to the heat like saunas, hot tubs, or showers should also be avoided.
To Sum Up
As we have previously mentioned, this is a very convenient cosmetic treatment for our patients. The effects of botox are usually seen within 5 to 7 days. The patient satisfaction rate is very high, and they usually come again for a follow-up injection.
If you are interested in knowing more about this treatment, or you have additional questions and concerns, call our New York City office at (212) 750-9494 or schedule your botox appointment today. At Park Plaza, our double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. George Lefkovits MD is the only one that injects the botox.
