What Not to Do Before Getting Botox?

woman botox skincare

The Botox injection procedure is an effective way to reduce the number of wrinkles on the facial surface, prevent skin aging, and deal with other relevant problems quickly. The protocol for this treatment is pretty similar for every customer; the only thing that varies is the type of botulinum toxin and the number of syringes required to provide desired results. The same thing with the before and after procedure protocols; a patient must follow certain recommendations to ensure the healing process is non-problematic and results turn out as good as expected.

Here, we will discuss the main recommendations of what not to do before Botox treatment, as well as how to take care of sensitive skin right after the injection session. By following these pieces of advice, you’ll noticeably improve your overall experience with this product. Keep them in mind, and let’s start the article!

What Can Botox Injections Help with?

Botox treatments are popular in the cosmetic and medical fields, as it’s a well-known muscle relaxant that helps deal with muscle spasm-related conditions. It works for various purposes, including the followings:

  • In the medical sphere, botulinum toxins are often used to treat such conditions as chronic migraines, cervical dystonia, excessive sweating, and others. If the procedure is scheduled regularly and is conducted by a knowledgeable, experienced specialist, the effect lasts for a long time and provides significant relief to an individual;
  • Regarding the aesthetic sphere, Botox is a perfect solution for those who want to prevent aging signs and preserve their young-looking skin. It temporarily blocks the nerve endings of target muscles, so the contraction stops, and the facial surface becomes smoother and wrinkleless. It’s also an effective way to erase dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet, glabellar lines, forehead lines, and so on.

If the session is performed accordingly to all safety rules and with perfect knowledge of facial anatomy, there should be no complications after the injection session. The average longevity of the product is four-six months, and it varies from person to person based on certain crucial individual factors.

Expected Adverse Reactions

As with most skin treatments, whether dermal fillers or Botox, people may experience side effects after the procedure. It’s natural as the body needs time to get used to a new solution, and if it’s introduced for the first time, it may cause adverse reactions. Common problems include the followings:

  • Local adverse effects like the risk of bruising, swelling, and redness;
  • Headache, nausea;
  • Increased skin sensitivity in the injection area.

Typically, it takes from a few hours to a few days for all irritations to fade away completely and ensure a person is safe and satisfied with the injection’s outcomes.

Don’t forget that you must be a licensed specialist to buy Botox injections online. Botulinums are meant for professional use only, and it may be dangerous to administer them if you don’t have a proper experience of the procedure’s knowledge.

botox injection woman

What Not to Do Before Botox Injections?

The treatment may begin after the procedure is discussed during the free consultation. However, it is essential to keep some nuances in mind to ensure the results turn out as expected without any severe complications afterward. So, what shouldn’t you do before using Botox?

  • Avoid blood thinners at least a week prior to the injection session. The list includes medications such as Ibuprofen, aspirin, and some supplements (like vitamin E, fish oil, cod liver oil, and certain herbal supplements). If you need prescription blood thinners to be used regularly, we recommend considering the alternatives with your doctor;
  • Avoid alcohol a few days before the treatment. Alcohol has blood-thinning abilities, so it may worsen the recovery process and lead to more severe facial bruising and sealing after the procedure is over;
  • Don’t try any harsh cosmetic procedures that may hurt the treatment area. For a successful operation, the facial surface must be healthy, so there should be no damage, wounds, inflammations, or other irritations. So, postpone such processes as hair-removal creams, chemical peels, microneedling, and different variants that may traumatize the dermis’s top layer;
  • Don’t ignore any limitations. The main rule that must be followed for safe Botox treatment is to be honest with a doctor. So, if there are severe health conditions or other problems incompatible with botulinum toxins, it’s better to tell the truth and consider possible alternatives together. The variety of skin improvement options on the market is impressive, so it’s better to pick something and enjoy the result afterward.

These recommendations are among the common ones, and, of course, more details must be discussed with a patient based on their health and body peculiarities. However, it’s always good to keep the basics in mind to be prepared for any scenario.

Aftercare Recommendations

Just like there are pre-procedure recommendations, there are also post-treatment instructions you should follow to make the healing process less problematic and faster. All of those are aimed at preventing Botox from spreading to the neighboring areas and reducing the chances of severe side effects development. So, here are some basics you should remember:

  • Don’t wear makeup for a few days to not irritate sensitive skin in the target area;
  • Postpone dental procedures for a few weeks. When you are in a dentist’s chair, you must open your mouth wide for the treatment. It may lead to botulinum toxin moving from the place it was initially meant to stay in, so it’s better to wait till the solution settles;
  • Always wear SPF to protect the skin from harmful UV rays and sun exposure;
  • Don’t visit overheated places. High temperatures may increase blood pressure and blood flow and cause Botox migration. On top of that, it may also be the reason for inflammation and irritation worsening in the target zone, so avoid spots like saunas, solariums, hot tubs, showers, etc., for at least a week;
  • Don’t apply pressure to the treated zone to not move the botulinum from its original place. Gua sha, massages, and even sleeping with your face down is not a good idea if you care about the treatment’s outcomes;
  • Drink plenty of water and eat healthily. If a person is in good shape, it’s much easier for the body to deal with stressful situations and recover faster after the Botox session. Of course, this recommendation is not only for the treatment period. Stay safe and healthy, and take care of yourself!

Once again, these are basics and must be discussed in a doctor’s office before the infection session. If Botox wouldn’t work for you for any reason, it’s always possible to select another option to reach the youthful appearance you’ve always dreamt about!

To Sum Up

Botox is an excellent method to maintain youthful looks without trying difficult invasive cosmetic treatments. It’s effective and can fulfill various aesthetic needs; on top of that, it’s affordable and much safer than many other available options. To ensure the process is secure and there are no severe complications after the injection session, it’s crucial to remember basic “what not to do” recommendations, as well as some aftercare rules. Hopefully, today’s article helped you to understand this procedure better. Take care!