If you ever Googled anything about anti-aging and wrinkles, you are most likely to see the word ‘BOTOX’ pop up on numerous sites – and for a good reason! Over the past few years, BOTOX injections have become a staple of facial rejuvenation. Among the 15 million cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures performed in 2018, BOTOX was used to perform 7.44 million of them, an increase of 3% over 2017. It has been one of the top five most requested minimally-invasive procedures for years!
Regardless of its popularity, it can be overwhelming to understand the ins and outs of a BOTOX procedure. When considering this treatment, it’s always a great idea to know what you should prepare before the procedure and what you need to do after you’ve left the procedure room. But never fear — we’re here to help you navigate your BOTOX journey step by step. Read on to learn more!
What is BOTOX?
BOTOX is a cosmetic drug injected under the skin that temporarily relaxes the facial muscles. It comprises Botulinum toxin A, a neurotoxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. BOTOX injections are considered safe since they use a diluted amount of a toxin to prevent muscles from contracting, thereby softening and relaxing wrinkles.
BOTOX temporarily freezes your facial muscles to reduce frown lines, Crow’s feet, and forehead lines. It is a great way to eliminate stubborn signs of aging that anti-aging creams can’t treat!
Most patients seek BOTOX treatment plans to reduce the appearance of facial signs of aging, such as wrinkles. But BOTOX runs an impressive gamut of benefits aside from facial rejuvenation, such as:
- Chronic migraine
- Hyperhidrosis (i.e., excessive sweating)
- Overactive bladder
- Lazy eye
- Cervical dystonia (i.e., neck spasms)
What To Know Before Getting BOTOX
Consultation With a Plastic Surgeon Is Key
It’s always best to prepare yourself before your BOTOX procedure. A great start is scheduling a consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Phillip Chang to iron out the entire process from beginning to end. Doing so will not only ease your mind from anxiety but also give you the confidence to push through with the procedure! The consultation can also set your expectations to a realistic standard. It can be easy to feel intimidated by BOTOX, but by having a thorough discussion with Dr. Chang, you can see how effective this treatment is when addressing fine lines and wrinkles!
Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Chang is also an excellent way to inform him and his staff of any allergies you might have so that they can closely monitor you throughout the process. This is why selecting a team of professionals led by a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon is highly recommended to avoid complications! So consider talking to Dr. Philip Chang and schedule a free consultation with us today!
Avoid Taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen, or Other Blood Thinners for 48 hours Before Your BOTOX Treatment
We recommend you stop taking any blood-thinning medications or supplements a few days before your first BOTOX appointment to minimize any possible bruising from the injections. Some of the medications and supplements to avoid include:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Ginseng
- Fish oil
- St. John’s Wort
- Vitamin E
- Ginkgo Biloba
Avoid Drinking Alcohol for 24 Hours Before Your BOTOX Procedure
Bruising is always possible when talking about BOTOX, but avoiding alcohol before the procedure can make it much less likely for it to occur. Drinking alcohol can dry out your skin and make it more sensitive before your procedure, leading to bruising and making your BOTOX recovery more lengthy. Likewise, alcohol thins your blood and widens your blood vessels, leaving you more susceptible to bruising and swelling after the injection.
Do's and Don'ts After Getting BOTOX
How Many Hours After BOTOX Can You Exercise?
In addition to increasing blood flow, physical activity can potentially cause the toxin to spread into unintended areas, reducing its effectiveness at the injection site. Moreover, it can increase the risk of bruising at the injection site. If you stick to a daily exercise routine, you should wait at least 24 hours after your BOTOX procedure before hitting the gym again.
Carry On with Your Daily Activities!
A major benefit of BOTOX is that it entails no recovery period or downtime after treatment. You can resume most of your routine activities immediately after the procedure!
You must follow the aftercare instructions given by Dr. Chang following your BOTOX procedure to avoid unintended damage or side effects. BOTOX can migrate to another muscle in your body in rare cases. To avoid this scenario, follow these guidelines:
- Be careful not to rub the treated area.
- Refrain from lying down for four hours after the procedure.
- You should wait 24 hours before exercising or engaging in any strenuous activities.
Let Your Skin Breathe and Go Makeup-Free!
Makeup can be worn after injections, but you should wait until the injection sites have healed and the redness has subsided.
Following BOTOX injections, most individuals experience mild redness for up to 24 hours so it’s best to avoid make-up in the interim while the redness dissipates!
Avoid Touching Your Face
Let the treatment settle into your facial muscles for a few hours before touching your newly smoothed skin. Don’t massage or aggressively rub your face right after your appointment to allow BOTOX to work its magic.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Stay out of the sun for at least 4 hours to avoid bruising. Heat can cause flushing which occurs when blood flow to and from the upper chest, neck, or face is increased due to the sudden reddening of those areas.
and increase blood pressure, leading to bruising. If you want to be extra safe, stay out of the sun for 24 to 48 hours.
You should avoid heat exposure in the following ways:
- Tanning bed
- Hot tubs
- Hot showers or baths
- Saunas
Ready For Your BOTOX Journey with Dr. Chang?
Ready for your BOTOX procedure? Come meet with us at 19500 Sandridge Way, Suite 350, Leesburg, VA 20176, or call us at (703) 574-4342 for a complimentary consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Phillip Chang before moving forward with your procedure! If everything matches up, our team will help you navigate the entire process, from the beginning to the end! Also, don’t forget to check out our blog and social media for more information on plastic surgery and plastic surgery trends!
Let Us Help You!
Our office can provide you with helpful information, schedule a free consultation, and walk you through the many services and procedures we provide.
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