• On 10 Jun, 2022
• By Makeup Studio
• Tips
• 0 Comments

What not to do when getting Botox injections in the face

Botox injections are very popular among the fair sex. This beauty procedure allows you to eliminate wrinkles and “creases” of the skin, as a result of which the face looks more youthful. But to get the desired result, it is important not only to find an experienced specialist, but also to strictly follow the recommendations after the procedure. Negligence on the part of the patient is unacceptable, otherwise you can provoke the development of complications and regret your visit to the cosmetologist.

If you ignore the advice of a specialist, bruising and swelling will appear in the injection area, the patient will notice drooping eyelids, impaired facial expressions. The most innocuous consequence is the rapid end of the effect.

The essence of the procedure

Botulinum therapy involves the introduction of preparations based on botulinum toxin A in the areas that require correction. Usually it is the corners of the mouth, the nose folds, the corners of the eyes, the inter-brow, the forehead and the chin. The very first drug that began to be used by cosmetic doctors to combat wrinkles – Botox. Although now the manufacturers offer many analogues, Botox is still relevant today.

All the preparations based on botulinum toxin A have the same mechanism of action. The substance disrupts neuromuscular conduction by blocking impulse transfer from the muscle or gland. As a result, muscles relax, the skin becomes smoother, wrinkles and “creases” disappear, and the secretion of glands decreases (due to which botulinum therapy is effective against hyperhidrosis).

The first effect is noticed by the woman 30 minutes after the procedure. The final result will appear a few days later, usually from 2-3 days to 1-2 weeks. It was during this period, it is important to strictly adhere to the recommendations. How long you can rejoice in the absence of problems depends on the area that was treated and the drug used.

Benefits of botulinum therapy

Such a beauty procedure:

Very effective. Allows you to eliminate small and deep wrinkles on the face, relieve the patient from asymmetry.

Does not take much time. Usually the beautician works with the woman for 20-30 minutes.

It is painless. If necessary, the specialist applies a cream containing a local anesthetic to the skin. It reduces sensitivity and allows you to eliminate discomfort.

Safe. Syringes with very thin and short needles are used for injections. The doctor uses only certified drugs with clinically proven efficacy and health safety.

Allows you to always look flawless. Botox can be done from 1 to 3 times a year.

In order to get all these benefits, it is worthwhile to visit an experienced cosmetologist. He will assess the condition of the skin, determine the areas that require correction, check the absence of contraindications, select the best product and gently carry out the procedure. He will then give recommendations that will allow avoiding the development of complications during the rehabilitation period.

But there are cases when the result is upsetting for women. At this point, there is some doubt whether botulinum toxin is worth the effort. Here’s what Cameron Diaz thinks about it. “If it makes you feel comfortable, then why not? These procedures are precisely designed to make people feel a little better about themselves.”

What are the limitations?

After the procedure, the most important thing is not to interfere with the distribution of the drug in the muscle fibers, that is, not to create situations that will cause a change in pressure or a change in blood flow in the defect correction area. Otherwise, the substance may shift into the neighboring muscle fibers and provoke unwanted reactions.

Doctors cannot unanimously say how many hours to adhere to a number of restrictions a day after botulinum therapy. Therefore, it is better to reassure yourself and follow the recommendations for a day. In addition, some restrictions apply to the entire period of rehabilitation. It does not matter which drug was used – Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Lantox, Relatox or others.

Recommendations for the first day

Within 6 hours after the procedure, it is not allowed to take a horizontal position. It is especially contraindicated to lie face down. Active blood flow to the head will affect the distribution of the drug in the muscle fibers, which is difficult to predict in this case. Before going to bed at night, it is better to place 2 pillows under the head.

In addition, on the day after the procedure:

• You should not do sharp and long bends (do not exercise, do not wash the floors, etc.);
• Do not touch your face with your hands;
• Do not fly on airplanes, ride on amusement rides, expose the body to physical stress and other effects that are associated with changes in pressure.

The day after the procedure, facial care should be as gentle as possible. It is important not to violate these rules. Therefore, it is better to plan your activities in advance.

Can I smoke and drink alcohol?

It has been established that nicotine has no significant effect on the results of botulinum therapy. But daily smoking has an effect on the skin: it ages faster and gets wrinkled. Therefore, women should give up this bad habit to preserve their beauty as long as possible.

As for the use of alcohol, there is a nuance. Within two days before the procedure, it is necessary to refrain from drinking alcohol, including beer. This will reduce the risk of bruising and swelling at injection sites. After botulinum therapy, moderate alcohol consumption is not contraindicated. We are talking about small amounts, for example, you can have a glass of wine or beer. Larger quantities can prevent important recommendations from being fulfilled (e.g. falling asleep while facing the pillow and thus spoiling the results of the treatment).

Botulinum therapy and sports

Within two days after the “beauty shots” any physical activity is contraindicated. It is not allowed to run and do sports walking, roller skating, skating, skiing and cycling. Visiting swimming pools and open reservoirs is prohibited, and it applies until such time as the puncture marks on the face have completely disappeared.

It is worth abandoning not only fitness, but also more relaxing exercises – yoga, Pilates, and stretching. Lifting weights, any exercises with bends and own weight are also prohibited. Such restrictions are associated with increased blood circulation and unpredictable distribution of botulinum toxin in the muscle fibers.

So what can you do? Walk in the fresh air at a leisurely pace. Walking is only welcome. If a woman likes sports and does not want to miss a workout, you can perform it a few hours before the procedure, for example, go to the gym in the morning, and in the afternoon visit a beautician.

How will visits to the sauna and tanning salon affect the results?

There is an opinion that heat exposure will have a negative effect on the effect of Botulinum therapy: spots of pigmentation will appear at the injection site, and increased sweating will lead to the accelerated breakdown of the substance and shorten the period during which the muscles are relaxed. This opinion does not have 100% proof. However, many cosmetic doctors recommend eliminating high-temperature exposure for a day.

You should not:

• sunbathing at the beach;
• Visit a tanning salon;
• Go to a sauna or steam room;
• Take a hot bath;
• Dry your hair with a hot stream of air.

Although UV light does not worsen the result of “beauty shots”, it is necessary to remember its destructive effect on the skin in general. UV rays accelerate aging, promote the appearance of wrinkles and age spots. To prolong skin youthfulness, you should use a cream with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors.

Botulinum therapy and medications

If a patient is treated with any medications, it is necessary to inform the beautician, because some groups of drugs directly or indirectly affect the muscles, relaxing them. And it is difficult for a specialist to predict how botulinum toxin will behave when interacting with them.

Some of the drugs that require special attention are:

• Aminoglycosides (Gentamicin, Amikacin, Kanamycin and other antibiotics of this group);
• Myorelaxants (Sirdalud, Midocalm, Tizanidin, Baclofen, etc.);
• Tranquilizers (Phenazepam, Diazepam, Relanium, etc.).

It is important that the course of treatment with these drugs be completed 7-10 days before the botulinum toxin injection. It should also take 1-2 weeks after the injections, at the end of which time you can start taking the above medications.

Questions often arise regarding other groups of drugs:

• Tetracyclines – there is no scientific evidence that they inhibit the effect of the substance and impair the results of botulinum therapy;
• vitamins – do not interact with Botox and analogues, do not affect the effect and the occurrence of side effects, limitations apply only to B vitamins;
• Aminoquinolines – antimalarials reduce the effect of the procedure, so you can not take Hydroxychloroquine, Primahine, etc. after it;
• anticoagulants (Clexane, Heparin, Fraxiparin), disaggregants (Aspirin, Curantil, Cardiomagnil), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Diclofenac) – thin the blood, which provokes the appearance of large bruises, so it is better not to use them before and after the procedure.

You should not conceal the fact that you are taking medications that can affect the result of the procedure. You can only harm yourself that way.

What treatments is Botulinum therapy compatible with?

Before Botox injections or the next day, you can continue to perfect your beauty. The distribution of the drug in the muscles will not interfere:

• Superficial peels;
• Photo and laser rejuvenation;
• Thermolifting;
• Fractional thermolysis;
• Plasmolifting.

In 1-2 weeks after Botulinum therapy you can have a facial cleansing or massage, contour plastic surgery with fillers, mesotherapy, biorevitalization, tattooing.

After the introduction of Botox is contraindicated, procedures that increase muscle tone, activate metabolism. These are microcurrent, ultrasound therapy, myostimulation, and magnetic therapy. All kinds of plastic surgeries on the face are prohibited. They can be done when the effect of the drug is over. But after plastic surgery Botox is very much shown, it will enhance the rejuvenating effect. For women after 40, it is recommended to combine it with photorejuvenation, plasmolifting and mesotherapy.

Possible complications

If the recommendations are not followed, a woman may notice such unpleasant consequences as:

• Hematomas and swellings in the areas of injection of botulinum toxin;
• Drooping of the eyelid;
• Impaired facial expression;
• Elevation of one or both eyebrows;
• “Wax face.”

If a complication arises, you should contact the specialist who performed the botulinum toxin therapy. He will decide the best method to correct it.