If you recently made the choice to get Botox, congratulations! You have made an impressive move toward happier, smoother skin. But in order to maximize your results, there are a few maintenance tips you should be aware of.
In the hours and days after your treatment, the way you take care of your skin will be a little different. In this post, we will break down how to care for your face after Botox. If you follow these directions, you will reap the maximum benefits from your treatment.
Why Do You Have to Take Care of Your Skin After Botox?
Botox is one of the most common, minimally invasive types of plastic surgery you can receive. It involves injecting diluted botulinum toxin into areas of your face that experience wrinkles or lines. Botox cannot erase all lines, but it helps smooth the skin and prevent future lines.
Since it is cosmetic surgery, it requires that you take care of your skin in order to be effective. Fortunately, we know everything about caring for your skin in the hours, weeks, and months after treatment.
The First Few Hours
In the first few hours after your Botox treatment, there are a few things you must not do.
Even though you may experience a mild headache or slight discomfort at the injection site, you should not take Ibuprofen. The same goes for other medications that are considered blood thinners. Doing so could cause bruising at the injection site.
You should also not exercise or engage in any extreme physical activity. Still, don't go home and take a nap. Experts recommend that you remain standing or sitting upright.
Even though you shouldn't exercise in the traditional sense, you should engage in some light face exercises. These are much simpler than they sound. Practice smiling, frowning, or raising your eyebrows.
Be sure not to touch your face while you do this. A lot of people ask, is it bad if I rubbed my face after Botox? And the answer is that you should try to avoid touching your face at all costs.
In fact, don't apply pressure to any part of your face, especially the injection site. Keep hats, beanies, and hair away from your face.
Don't apply make-up, and steer clear of hot showers or baths. All of these rules are to ensure that the Botox stays where it is supposed to and isn't spread throughout other parts of your body. But after six or so hours, you can be less strict.
The First Week
Can I wash my face after Botox? Yes.
After the first six hours, your skincare routine can mostly go back to normal. Use gentle soaps to wash your face. You can use gentle lotions as moisturizers.
Botox is used to improve the appearance of your skin. So anything else that boosts your facial health will help maximize the benefits you see as a result of Botox.
In that first week, consider introducing a daily antioxidant topical serum to your skincare routine. Serums like these help your skin maintain its supple texture. Feel free to make a soothing topical part of your regular skincare regimen from here on out.
The one thing you should not do is engage in any harsh skincare treatments. Stay away from facials, peels, and microdermabrasion. Only gentle treatments are recommended after Botox during that first week.
After One Week
After it has been a week since your Botox treatment, you can go back to any parts of your skincare regimen that you omitted during the first week.
However, there are some things you should continue to avoid in order to get the most out of your Botox injections. In addition to helping with your skin, these things are also good for your overall health.
First of all, you should avoid excessive drinking. Alcohol is essentially a toxin, meaning it is not good for your body or your skin.
You can still enjoy an occasional glass of wine. But make sure it is in moderation.
One thing you should definitely not partake in at all is smoking. If you want your Botox to last as long as possible, quit smoking. Besides, smoking is a habit that is known to increase wrinkles in the first place.
Try to avoid stress. This is easier said than done, but often it helps if you have tried and true strategies for relieving your stress. If you are prone to stress, try adopting meditation or yoga as a relaxing hobby.
Lastly, avoid excessive sun exposure. The sun damages your skin, and it will cut short the longevity of your Botox injections. Wear SPF 50 to protect your skin from here on out.
What do these four things have to do with Botox? Stress, alcohol, smoking, and sun break down collagen faster. This means that your Botox treatment might be less effective if you partake in these things.
But no matter how good you are, Botox doesn't last forever. Typically, you will need to go in for another treatment after 3-5 months. Call your treatment center and book another appointment.
Taking Care of Your Face After Botox
Botox is an amazing procedure that can help you look your best. But you still need to take care of your face after Botox in order to see maximum results. With the above tips, you will be able to effectively take care of your skin in the day, week, and months after your treatment.
When it comes to the skin, there is an endless amount of information out there about how to make it look its best. For more advice and know-how, check out our Skincare section and keep reading.
