I first started getting Botox last year and was pleasantly surprised with the results – in fact, I wrote an entire piece about the things I first learned after my initial appointment.
Deciding to go for a cosmetic procedure like Botox or fillers is very personal and should be thought about from all sides first. If you are ready to take the plunge, ensure you’re clued up on the aftercare.
Botox is a fast and simple procedure with minimal downtime. However, bruising and prevention of the Botox settling to the incorrect areas of your face can occur if you don’t look after your skin in the first 24 hours.
The rules to follow after Botox
Here are the five things you should avoid, to make sure you fully reap the rewards of your Botox injections.
1. No exercise for the first 24hrs
Working out is something I do regularly to make me feel energised for the day, but after you’ve had Botox, you need to steer clear of any rigorous activity for the first 24 hours.
If you’re jumping up and down and straining your face, that may well prevent the Botox from settling into your muscles, so nothing more than a gentle walk is recommended.
2. Don’t touch your face
Avoid touching your face for the first few hours after treatment – that includes putting on makeup.
The reason for this is that if you put pressure on the areas that have been injected, you could encourage bruising and potentially prevent the Botox from settling into your face.
Botox is expensive, so you definitely want to maximise the results by letting it work to its full potential.
3. Don’t sleep on your face
For the same reason as touching your face, be cautious about how you sleep the first night after your treatment.
Try to sleep on your back as the pressure from side or face down sleeping could cause bruising and unintended migration of where the Botox has been injected.
4. Avoid alcohol
Alcohol can thin your blood, so practitioners recommend that you avoid drinking the day before and the day after you have Botox.
Thinner blood can cause additional bruising, which you definitely don’t want! If I’m honest, I have been for drinks the evening after Botox (slap on the wrist for me), and so far haven’t experienced any side effects. But if you easily bruise, it may be worth following this advice.
5. Keep out of the sun the day of
Don’t get Botox just before you go on a hot holiday.
Being in the sun can encourage bruising of the skin, so it’s advisable to wait 24 hours before direct sun exposure, but after that there should be no problem at all.
No matter what, ensure you are slathering on that SPF (with or without Botox) before heading out.
Daily SPF
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