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 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.
3 DAYS BEFORE treatment: AVOID topical products such as Tretinoin (Retin-A), Retinols, Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, or other “anti-aging” products. Also AVOID waxing, bleaching, tweezing, or the use of hair removal cream on the area to be treated.
For example, an over-the-counter or prescription-strength retinol or retinoid cream is noninvasive and cheaper than Botox. (Retinols are weaker versions of retinoids, which are available by prescription. Both are derivatives of vitamin A.)
Following the procedure, we have most patients stick to a bland routine until the skin is healed. It may be one to seven days. At that point, they can reintroduce products such as retinol.”
Tretinoin is a medication used to treat acne and sun-damaged skin. It can't erase deep wrinkles, but it can help improve the appearance of surface wrinkles, fine lines, and darks spots. Tretinoin is also known as retinoic acid. It's the generic name for synthetic vitamin A.
Don't use topical products such as retinol, Retin-A, retinoids, and glycolic acid for at least two days before the procedure. Avoid drinking alcohol 48 – 72 hours before your procedure – Save the happy hour for another night rather than the night before your treatment.
Avoid caffeine for about 24 hours before your procedure and avoid other foods or drinks that have a dehydrating tendency, as this could slow the healing process. It's a good idea to reduce your salt intake for a couple of days before your appointment, especially if you're getting dermal filler.
If you want to prevent the earliest fine lines from becoming full-blown wrinkles, preventative Botox can be the solution. Botox is approved for patients who are 18 years and older and most experts agree that patients in their mid to late 20s and early 30s are at a good age for preventative Botox treatment.
Do not use this medicine in or around the eyes or lips, or inside of the nose. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If it accidentally gets on these areas, wash with water at once. Before applying tretinoin, wash the skin with a mild soap or cleanser and warm water by using the tips of your fingers.
First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.
Used regularly, retinol will also firm and smooth the skin under and around your eye.
On the whole, it's best to think of botox as a treatment for wrinkles that are apparent with moving facial muscles (smiling, furrowing your brow, frowning) while tretinoin can help treat the fine lines and sun spots resulting from UV exposure.
Avoid topical products such as Tretinoin (Retin-A), Retinol, Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, or any “anti-aging” products. Avoid waxing, bleaching, tweezing, or using hair removal cream on the area to be treated. Do start taking Arnica two days prior to the procedure.
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.
“This will make your skin look older and accentuate wrinkles” — which is probably not what you're going for when you start using the stuff. And there's no question that retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.
If you stop using the medication or are inconsistent with your treatment, any improvements you see may disappear over time. Always use the product as prescribed by your healthcare provider (Rodan, 2016).
Retinol is best applied at night since it can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. When you do go outside, be sure to use sunscreen to protect your face. It's worth noting that you don't need to use retinol on a daily basis for it to effectively treat your acne. Even two to three times per week might be enough.
Use just a pea-sized portion.
This is enough for your face. Dab a bit from this portion onto your forehead, cheeks, and chin, then smooth it around. Use another pea-sized portion for your neck or chest if you need to apply in those areas, too.
After 4-6 weeks, your skin will get used to tretinoin and will begin to be noticeably smoother and more even. A lot of the initial irritation will settle down and true “retinization” of your skin is in full force.
If your skin care involves nothing but using vitamin C in the morning followed by nightly applications of Retin-A, you'll have glowing, more youthful skin. (Sunscreen, of course, should also be applied daily.)
There is no definite age when you should start BOTOX®—it's more about the state of your skin, and everyone's timeline is different. For wrinkle treatments, it's best to start when you notice forehead lines, frown lines, or crow's feet even when your expression is neutral.
Overall majority of patients are very satisfied with the result and outcome of having Botox treatment in their 40s. An added benefit is that the effect of Botox may actually help slow down the need for surgical procedures.