For the first few days after your BOTOX treatment, you can gently wash your face or apply lotions. You can use the same moisturizer and cleanser you always have, as they won't harm your results. However, facials, microdermabrasion, or any other kind of skin treatments should be avoided for at least a week.
Below are some of the key things Doctor Nyla suggests you avoid as part of your Botox aftercare. This way, your skin is in the best condition for healing. For a minimum of 3 days post-treatment, avoid using anything perceived as 'active' skincare.
You should be gentle with any face washing or lotion applying in the days after Botox. However, you can still use the same cleansers, exfoliants and moisturizers you always use. These products won't harm your Botox results and can even enhance results if these products improve your skin's texture and glow.
Avoid any additional facial treatments, such as massages, chemical peels or microdermabrasion, within 24 hours of your appointment. You may also wish to avoid using makeup and other topical creams like Retin A for at least 24 hours after botox injections.
You can continue to apply your regular skincare routine after Botox. However, we suggest not applying pressure or heavily touching your face. Ideally, avoid touching your face for 24 hours after your treatment. Use tepid water and a gentle cleanser to wash your face for 72 hours after treatment and gently pat dry.
This means that while it's perfectly safe to wash your face after receiving BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, you should do so with a light hand. You can use the same skin care products that you normally use, including cleansers, exfoliants and serums.
Don't lie down for at least 3 hours after receiving Botox. Don't go into any saunas, hot tubs, or tanning booths for at least 4 hours. This helps to prevent bruising, because heat can raise your blood pressure. Otherwise, you can resume your regular activities right after getting Botox.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, Niacin supplement, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, refined carbohydrates, spicy foods, and cigarettes 24-48 hours before and after your treatment. (All of these factors may increase risk of bruising and swelling).
The risk of bruising following Botox is increased when the body or face gets too hot. In addition to avoiding hot tubs, saunas, and other similar places, do not take a hot bath or shower for at least 24 hours after having this treatment.
It's highly recommended that you move your face around a lot after getting Botox. This includes smiling, frowning, and raising your eyebrows. It's similar to facial exercises, minus the touching. Facial movement may look — and feel — silly, but it actually helps the Botox work better.
The reason that keeping your head above your heart is so crucial right after undergoing your Botox treatment is that bending forward may increase blood circulation to your face and increase the risk that the injected material will move from the targeted areas before it is absorbed.
The don'ts
Do not rub or massage the treated area and avoid make-up if possible. Do not have any beauty treatments on your face e.g. facials, facial massage for 2 weeks- this may cause the injected solution to spread to nearby muscles.
“When an area of the face is frozen with absolutely no wrinkles, you can assume the person has had a date with a needle.” "When you look at a photo and see an area of the face that is extremely smooth and shiny," Rusher says, "that can be an indicator that the person may have had Botox."
Don't Lie Down
After receiving Botox, you should wait at least four hours before lying down to avoid the risk of pressure on the treated areas and to avoid the risk of having the area rubbed accidentally. Lying down can also cause your Botox to migrate.
Don't wax, tweeze, bleach, or use hair removal products on the treatment area for at least two days before the treatment. This can cause irritation. Don't use topical products such as retinol, Retin-A, retinoids, and glycolic acid for at least two days before the procedure.
Avoid excessive touching or massaging the treated areas for about 6 hours after the injections. The treated areas can be washed with a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil® Cerave® or Dove® unscented. Your satisfaction is important to us!
The results from Botox last anywhere between 2-6 months; the average result lasts about 3-4 months. Why does Botox eventually stop working? Your body makes new neurotransmitters all the time, so the “blocking” effect of Botox gradually wears off as these chemicals start circulating in your body again.
Zinc is known as a “Botox booster” based on a few studies. Zinc has been found to be effective in extending the effects of botulinum toxin injections up to 30 percent.
In general, Botox lasts 3-4 months. There will certainly be patients in which in lasts longer, in that 4-6 month range, or shorter, in that 2-month range. It is also common for first-timers to notice that it may not last as long initially but may last longer after the second treatment.
The reason for this delay is due to the time it takes for the body to start reacting to the Botox after it's been injected. Because of this, we like to have our patients come back after two weeks to check on their progress.
For people who can't wait the three or four days for the wrinkle smoothing effects of botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to kick in, a new Northwestern Medicine study shows facial exercise after the injections speeds the change in appearance by about one day.
If you stretch the skin in the frown area and still see lines, they will still be there after Botox. These are called “etched in” lines and can be considered almost like scar tissue. They will gradually improve over time with additional treatments of Botox, but probably won't go completely away.