Preparing for Your BOTOX® Treatment: A Comprehensive Guide

As per the data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over seven million Botulinum Toxin injections, commonly known as BOTOX®, were administered in the U.S. in 2020 for both cosmetic and medical purposes. This number significantly surpasses the two million dermal filler injections (like Juvederm, Restylane, etc.) given in 2018. Clearly, BOTOX® is the top choice for those seeking non-surgical skin rejuvenation.

Experts in dermatology have been studying and refining BOTOX® aftercare methods to maximize the impressive outcomes of these injections. Here are the top 10 BOTOX® aftercare tips that practitioners strongly recommend their patients follow to achieve smooth, youthful-looking facial skin. Our medspa offers high-quality skincare solutions, including BOTOX® injections. Feel free to reach out to us for an appointment or to get answers to any of your questions.

10 KEY POINTS ABOUT BOTOX® AFTERCARE

Your skincare specialist will provide comprehensive BOTOX® aftercare guidelines to ensure you gain the maximum benefit from your treatment. Here are some important points to remember before resuming your regular activities.

1. USE OF ICE IS ACCEPTABLE Some individuals may experience swelling and discomfort around the injection sites. You can safely use a cold compress on the treated areas to alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling. However, avoid applying pressure with the cold compress. Simply place it gently on the swollen area. Minor bruising and swelling near the injection sites are common side effects of BOTOX® injections that typically subside within 48 hours post-treatment. Using NSAIDs or applying heat to swollen injection areas could exacerbate discomfort and potentially cause migration, which is strongly discouraged.
2. EXERCISE YOUR FACIAL MUSCLES About an hour post-BOTOX® injections, exercise your facial muscles by frowning, squinting, smiling, and raising your eyebrows for 30 seconds. Repeat these exercises several times throughout the day to help the BOTOX® solution penetrate the targeted muscles. However, note that you don’t need to exercise your face to achieve the same excellent results from BOTOX®. Performing these recommended facial exercises may simply speed up the reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by approximately one day.
3. DELAY YOUR GYM VISIT FOR A FEW DAYS Intense activity increases heart rate and blood flow. While a leisurely walk post-BOTOX® injections is fine, avoid heavy exercise equipment for at least 24 hours. Intense exercise could unintentionally spread BOTOX® to other areas, potentially reducing its effectiveness and causing unintended side effects. Vigorous exercise post-treatment could also heighten the risk of swelling and bruising around the treatment areas.
4. AVOID COSMETICS FOR THE REST OF THE DAY Applying products like liquid foundation, blush, face powder, eyeshadow, and even eyebrow pencil can stimulate the skin enough to cause the dispersal of BOTOX® to unintended areas. Those who receive BOTOX® injections for medical reasons should also avoid pressing on injection sites and the skin surrounding these sites. It is perfectly fine to apply cosmetics the following day.
5. NO LYING DOWN OR SIGNIFICANT LEANING FORWARD FOR 4 HOURS Lying down or bending over for more than a few minutes post-BOTOX® treatment may disperse the BOTOX® solution from its intended site. If you are prone to bruising, sitting upright can also help reduce bruising by preventing increased blood flow to your face.
6. TRY TO SLEEP ON YOUR BACK On the first night post-BOTOX® treatment, try to sleep on your back as much as possible to minimize pressure on facial muscles. However, if your injections were meant to reduce crow’s feet, which are typically given near or on the side of the face, and you tend to sleep on your side, try placing pillows next to your body to prevent you from turning over while sleeping.
7. AVOID ALCOHOL BEFORE AND AFTER BOTOX® Alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and hard liquor contain ethanol, a substance that dilates blood vessels and increases blood pressure. Expanded blood vessels allow more blood to flow rapidly throughout your body, potentially exacerbating swelling and bruising at and around injection sites. A good rule of thumb regarding alcohol and BOTOX® aftercare: avoid alcohol 48 hours before and after BOTOX® treatment.
8. DELAY OTHER SKIN TREATMENTS Wait for at least 24 to 48 hours before you get facials, microdermabrasion, laser skin therapy, massages. This gives the BOTOX® time to work its magic on muscles responsible for wrinkles.
9. RELAX IN THE SHADE Avoid full sun exposure for the rest of the day post-BOTOX® injections. Any kind of heat (including hot showers) will increase your blood pressure and promote bruising. If possible, avoid going out in the sun for one to two days to fully reduce the potential of migration due to sunlight and heat. Also, stay out of tanning beds, saunas, and hot tubs for at least 24 hours. (When it’s safe to go back into the sunshine, be sure to use a high-quality sunscreen.)
10. BOTOX® AFTERCARE AND MEDICATIONS Most people do not need to take any painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen post-BOTOX® injections because any discomfort is usually minimal and temporary. Although rarely reported, some people may experience headaches post-BOTOX® treatments, in which case acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken. However, if you are taking a prescription blood thinner like Warfarin, do not stop taking it until you have consulted with your doctor.

WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF BOTOX®? Numerous peer-reviewed studies conducted on BOTOX® over the past 30 years demonstrate that BOTOX® is the safest, most effective cosmetic neuro-paralyzing injectable. For instance, a comprehensive, placebo-controlled study involving 537 individuals receiving BOTOX® injections found that:

• Improvement of glabellar lines (brow furrows) was superior to results seen in the placebo group.
• Peak results were noticeable 30 days post-treatment. Eight out of 10 participants in the study reported significant reductions in glabellar lines, with some reporting total elimination of brow furrows.
• Headache was the most common side effect reported (13 percent). About three percent reported temporary blepharoptosis (drooping eyelid).
• Subjects opting for second and third BOTOX® treatment sessions reported fewer side effects.

A recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical study investigating BOTOX® safety states that BOTOX® is “comparably effective and safe for treating facial wrinkles.” In addition, the authors of the study report that BOTOX® “does not cause permanent changes to targeted muscles or nerve terminals, nor does BOTOX® cause any long-term adverse effects in the dermatology field.”

BOTOX® AFTERCARE: WHEN TO CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR Strictly following all BOTOX® aftercare recommendations is the best way to ensure you see optimal results without experiencing unwanted side effects. For individuals who have BOTOX® injections for cosmetic purposes only, the U.S. FDA lists the following symptoms that indicate you should contact a physician as soon as possible:

• Difficulty swallowing, breathing, or speaking
• Loss of muscle strength/general muscle weakness throughout the body
• Blurry or double vision
• Dysphonia (change/loss of voice or hoarseness that is not attributed to other medical conditions)
• Reduced bladder control
• Wheezing, itching, rash, and other signs of an allergic reaction

Although these side effects of BOTOX® are extremely rare, be aware that they can emerge several days or weeks after receiving BOTOX® treatment. Your doctor will be happy to discuss any of your concerns during your consultation appointment at our premier medical spa.