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.
For a minimum of 3 days post-treatment, avoid using anything perceived as 'active' skincare. This includes products which contain Retinol, Vitamin C, Hydroxy Acids or Beta Hydroxy Acid. For 24 hours, avoid sunbathing, intentional direct sunlight and tanning beds.
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.”
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.
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).
Don't touch your face for 1-3 one days after Botox
If you didn't have Botox on your face, the same is true for whatever part of your body you had Botox injected. Avoid having any professional massages after Botox on any treated areas, as this could lead to the toxin moving from the injection site as well.
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.
There is no written protocol for combining Botox and microcurrent, but most doctors advise you to wait a few weeks post-injection.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT:
Medications and supplements such as aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve and other NSAIDS have a blood thinning effect and can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after injections.
Your physical activity level – Proteins needs time to get into the muscles after they are injected. The facial expressions made while working out could make your muscles contract much faster and cause the Botox to wear off.
After the Botox is injected, the eyes can become very irritated and dry, and can go quite bloodshot and red. This irritation can then increase into blurred vision and the inability to see correctly.
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.
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.
Avoiding massaging or scrubbing your face, as this can cause irritation. Instead, use a light touch when washing your face. To avoid heat exposure, use warm or cold water instead of hot. Avoid any additional facial treatments, such as massages, chemical peels or microdermabrasion, within 24 hours of your appointment.
Botox comes in dosages between 50 and 100 units per vial. Some practitioners say they inject an average of 10 to 30 units into the forehead. Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox Cosmetic, suggests a dosage of 4 units each in five sites on the forehead, totaling 20 units.
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.
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.
On average, Botox lasts three to six months.
Some patient experience shorter results in the 2-month range. It's not uncommon for first-timers to experience a shorter result the first time and a longer result the second time. Regular users may notice the results last longer over time because the muscles are shrinking.
Avoid Topical Skin Irritants
Around 48 hours before treatment, you should stop using topical anti-aging ointments, serums, and creams. This essentially boils down to products that contain glycolic acid, retinoids, retinol, and Retin-A. These can irritate skin and negatively impact your treatment outcomes.