Top tips to follow after getting Botox
Botox is fast becoming the go-to non-surgical cosmetic procedure amongst not only middle-aged women but also younger males and females. This is thanks to its quick, predictable benefits which result in zero downtime.
5 Things to avoid after getting Botox
Thankfully, serious side effects are rare but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have to follow instructions. We advise all our patients to:
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours after having the Botox.
You need to allow some time for the botulin protein to diffuse into the target areas. During exercise your metabolism increases which means the proteins can get broken down too soon and this may directly affect the efficacy of treatment.
Exercise also increases blood pressure and blood flow which in turn can lead to more bruising around the injection sites. You’re obviously going to sweat more and the action of wiping off the sweat can move the Botox molecules into additional area’s resulting in unwanted effects. Straining facial muscles during heavy weightlifting can also have the same effect. Light exercise like walking is absolutely fine, but please avoid anything more strenuous.
Avoid rubbing or massaging the targeted sites
As mentioned previously, it’s important that the Botox stays in the target area for the minimum period of time so avoid facials or massages that can potentially spread the drugs to additional areas. If you do you can unwanted effects on non-targeting muscles.
Avoid headgear that’s tightly fitted
Again, this is related to the same point above. A tightly fitted hat can spread the Botox elsewhere.
Avoid sleeping directly afterwards
This is related to the same point above in respect to keeping the Botox in the desired area. For the first two nights we recommend you try and sleep on your back to avoid any pressure on your face. I know this sounds almost impossible because how on earth do you control what you do when you are sleeping? We found that a good tip is putting layers of thick pillows around you to stop you rolling over. If you do sleep facing down – it’s not that big a deal but we would want to mitigate this risk if possible.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
Alcohol has the effect of thinning your blood which makes it more likely you will get unwanted side effects like bruising. Our tip is to avoid excessive alcohol consumption one day before and after the procedure. Botox can have the same dehydrating effect of alcohol so combining the two is not a sensible thing to do as its likely to cause headaches.
Things to do following Botox treatment
Stay hydrated
As mentioned previously, Botox dehydrates you so be sure to drink plenty of water 24 hours before and after the procedure.
Apply Pressure at Injection sites
This prevents excessive bleeding which means you will bruise less. As soon as the procedure is done apply pressure, ideally with something cold, especially if you are prone to bruising. At Gentle Dental Care our clinicians are expertly trained so will do this for you immediately after.
Apply Arnica Cream at Injection Sites
Arnica is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and will reduce swelling and bruising.
Book a follow-up appointment 2 weeks after
We offer a free 2 week top-up service at Gentle Dental Care. If you are not happy with the results, we can apply more Botox free of charge. This is because Botox can take up to 2 weeks to work.
Prices for Botox
1 Area – £140
2 Areas – £180
3 Areas – £220
Although it’s important to follow the advice given above, don’t worry if you inadvertently skipped one of the step – the actual amount of Botox used is very low so it’s unlikely that you will develop any complications. If you have any questions please give us a call and we would be happy to assist – we have clinics in the Croydon, Sutton and Bromley regions.