Are you interested in getting Botox to smooth out those dynamic lines for a more attractive and youthful complexion? You’re certainly not alone. Botox is the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure in the world. Here’s what you should know before your first treatment—or second, third, and fourth as the case may be.
These tips will help you achieve your best possible results. When you come in for your consultation, we’ll cover all of the most important dos and don’ts and best practices, but it’s helpful to have the most common suggestions at your fingertips.
1. You’ll need to avoid several things for at least a week leading up to your Botox
Before getting Botox, you will need to stop taking medications or supplements that can cause your blood to thin. While the exact pre-op details will be covered in a personal consultation, you should expect to have to stop taking or consuming any of the following:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Motrin
- Ginkgo biloba
- Ginseng
- Flax, cod liver, and fish oil
- Vitamins A and E
- EFAs, or essential fatty acids
- Alcohol
2. There is such a thing as bargain Botox. And it’s not good.
You can search Allergan’s website to determine if the provider you have eyes on is a qualified Botox provider. Most plastic surgeons and medspas with an excellent online and physical presence can also be trusted outright. But what you want to ensure is that your Botox isn’t unofficially imported from another country (with is illegal), nor that it isn’t what it’s being touted as or is diluted. While reputable providers may offer discounts occasionally, if you see a price that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
3. After Botox, avoid most but not all exercise
People who’ve just had Botox will want to avoid all strenuous activities, cardiovascular exercises, and heavy lifting. The exception to this is that you do want to exercise the treated area for 1-2 hours after your treatment, not by touching it at all, but by using the muscles in the treated area: raising your eyebrows and furrowing your brows.
4. After Botox, we still want to avoid certain meds for three more days
Just as we avoided certain medications when getting ready for Botox, we’ll also want to avoid these medications after you’ve had your Botox. Here’s what you should avoid for at least three days after your treatment:
- Aspirin
- Motrin
- Ginkgo biloba
- Alcohol
- Excessive caffeine
- Flax, cod, and fish oil
- Vitamins A and E
- EFAs, or essential fatty acids
- If you’d like the best possible results, add carbohydrates and sugar to this list, though that may not be necessary.
5. Your best Botox results also depend on you
While Botox doesn’t have a recovery or downtime period, you will see your best results by refraining from certain activities after your injections. For 24 to 48 hours after your Botox, avoid the following:
- Massaging or touching the treated area
- Strenuous activity and entire body or cardio exercise
- Applying makeup or lipstick
Bonus: Instead of treating existing lines and wrinkles, Baby Botox may prevent them
Baby Botox is a treatment that uses smaller doses of the product across the face to prevent those pesky 11’s and other dynamic lines from ever showing up in the first place. It’s not for everybody but for those who are candidates; it works wonders.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office by phone at 309-670-0700 or through our online contact form.
