Do's and Don'ts of Botox

No outpatient cosmetic procedure is more popular than Botox. According to some statistics as many as 7 million people get Botox treatments every year. Botox treatment is fairly painless and when compared to other cosmetic procedures, inexpensive. It also produces long-lasting results quickly, and patients can easily return for touch-ups.
What is Botox?

Botox is a very weakened form of the toxin that causes botulism, though Botox has proven to be extraordinarily safe. The botulinum toxin works by paralyzing muscles, and when Botox is injected in the area around a wrinkle or fine line, the paralysis of the muscle smoothes out the wrinkle right above it. Interestingly, the original use of Botox was to treat medical conditions such as wryneck, strabismus, bladder problems, and even migraines. The FDA approved Botox to treat signs of aging in 2002.

Who is the Ideal Candidate for Botox?

A good candidate for the treatment is a person in good health who wants to diminish lines and wrinkles in their face, especially those in their forehead and around their mouth and eyes. People also get Botox to treat bands on their necks. People who shouldn’t have the treatment are those allergic to botulinum toxins, who have skin conditions, a serious illness, or who are expecting or breastfeeding a baby.

What to Do Before Botox

As with all medical procedures, there are certain steps a person must take to prepare for their Botox injections.

Have a Consultation

A person who wants Botox should consult with a health provider to make sure they’re a good candidate. It is important that you only receive Botox injections from a professional who is licensed to do so.

Wash the Face and Don’t Use Makeup

You should arrive at your Botox appointment with a freshly washed face that is free of any makeup. Once at the treatment center, the healthcare professional cleans the face again with alcohol wipes.

Have a Good Night’s Sleep

A good night’s sleep allows you to feel relaxed at your appointment. This is crucial for any medical procedure.

What Not to Do Before Botox

Just like there are certain steps to take before receiving Botox, there are also actions that you should avoid before Botox injections. Those include:

Stop Taking Blood Thinners

A person who’s scheduled for Botox treatment should stop taking blood thinners a week or so before the procedure. This includes aspirin and even herbal medicines. Blood thinners can increase the risk of excess bleeding and bruising.

Avoid Garlic

Garlic can also increase the risk of bruising if it’s eaten shortly before the Botox treatments due to its ability to thin the blood.

Avoid Skin Treatments

A patient should also put off treatments such as bleaching, waxing, or extensive tweezing of their face before a Botox appointment.

Results & Recovery

A patient can leave the office as soon as their Botox treatment is finished, which takes about 15 minutes. Though they can go right back to work or school, it’s best to take it easy for a few days. The patient should avoid rubbing or lying on the treatment area for about a day. They’ll start to see results one to three days after the procedure, and the results will continue to improve over a week. These improvements should last from three to four months.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re interested in Botox treatments, don’t hesitate to arrange a consultation with one of our professionals at Restorative Injectables. We have two locations, one in Denver, Colorado at (303) 350-9065 and the other in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at (405) 849-9373. Fill out the contact sheet today.