Facial Botox Basics And Postoperative Care

Botox is a great option to help reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging. Though Botox injections are common and non-invasive, it's still important to take the proper care when recovering from Botox injections to ensure that they work correctly and last as long as they can. This article will serve as a guide to help you understand the basics of Botox and know the ways to best recover from your Botox injections.

Botox Basics

Botox, more specifically called botulinum toxin, is a type of neurotoxin that helps reduce and prevent wrinkles. It does this by blocking nerve transmission which diminishes a muscle's ability to contract. By reducing the movement of the muscles, Botox, in turn, reduces their pull in the skin. With the skin moving less, Botox is able to prevent and reduce wrinkles. It is administered via a needle that is injected into the facial muscles.

Post-Op Care on the Day of Treatment 

After you have received your Botox injections, be sure to carefully follow your doctor's instructions. This may include things like the following.

Don't

After injections, take care to practice the following. Do not aggressively manipulate the skin or use exaggerated facial expressions. However, it is good to carefully practice moving the muscles around the injection site in order to absorb the treatment into the muscles. For the first four hours following injection, remain in an upright position. Do not lie face down to sleep the night following your Botox injections. It is also important to not participate in any exercise during that first day of treatment. Do not receive any facials for the first day after Botox injections, particularly face-tightening facials. Doing such activities may cause the injections to drift under the skin.

Do

The following are good things to do after Botox injections. You can use ice on the area of the injections for 15 minutes at a time throughout the day to help reduce any swelling, bruising, redness, or pain. Arnica gel or oral tablets are also recommended to reduce bruising. Take a pain killer like acetaminophen if you experience any tenderness, discomfort, or headache afterward. Use sunscreen and avoid UV exposure for at least 24 hours. 

Extended Time after Treatment 

It takes time for the neurotoxin to take full effect. So although it's possible to see some results after about three days, the most noticeable results typically appear about two weeks after injection. It's important to have a follow-up appointment with your doctor about after a week or two after treatment. Botox doesn't last forever, and new Botox injections will be needed after about three months.

Following these guidelines will lead to success with your facial Botox injections.

For more information about Botox injections, contact a cosmetic injection service.

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