Botox indeed has become an increasingly popular medical treatment in both cosmetic & medical communities. While it’s mostly used for its effectiveness in decreasing the presence of wrinkles, botox injections can also very effectively treat chronic migraines, excessive sweating, neck spasms, overactive muscles, & to reduce muscle size & strength. You always want to receive your botox injections from a professional who knows the botox mistakes to avoid.
We often receive questions about the advantages & disadvantages of Botox as well as any possible Botox side effects. In reply, we first note that Botox is safe & most of the time effective treatment when delivered by a trained & experienced provider such as The Skin Nurse Clinic. Next, we share some tips that can help patients ensure the effectiveness of their treatment while also decreasing the risk of complications.
Here are 5 of the most common mistakes that must be avoided to secure the best possible Botox treatment & outcome.
1. Do not rub or massage your face for four hours after having a Botox injection.
Applying pressure to the operated area can result in causing the Botox to spread to unwanted areas. Not only will this make your Botox treatment less productive, but at the same time, it could also result in the relaxation of unintended tissues in other areas.
2. Be mindful of how you move after Botox.
We recommend patients not to bend over, lie down, or exercise for the first 4 hours after a Botox injection. Such activities increase the blood flow of the face, which can more or less wash away the Botox before it has fully diffused to the treated areas.
3. Avoid alcohol immediately before & after getting Botox
If you are concerned about bruising, it’s a good idea to neglect alcohol for a minimum 24 hours before & after your Botox treatment. Alcohol actually won’t impact the effectiveness of the procedure, but it’s a vasodilator, indicating it excites the relaxation & expansion of blood vessels.
This improves the blood flow of your skin & causes small puncture sites to bleed continuously & cause bruising. It also can boost the risk of bruising by inactivating platelets(the cells that stop bleeding).
4. Limit sun exposure.
Patients should avoid exposure to the sunlight & saunas after this Botox treatment. Sunlight can lead to the pigmentations in the skin that have been pierced by needle injections, so it’s a great approach to limit or avoid sun exposure in the days following an injection.
Saunas should also be avoided for the very first four hours after getting a Botox treatment done, but are acceptable after the four hours time limit. Cold temperatures should have no impact at all.
5. Experienced Dermatologist
Getting operated by a qualified provider is perhaps the most important way to ensure that your Botox treatment is effective & that there are no confusions. Always ensure that you are working with someone who possesses proper training & qualifications. Here are some very crucial points to keep in mind when asking questions before treatment:
- It is not a good idea to inject your forehead without also treating frown muscles, as this can result in “brow heaviness.”
- A well-placed brow lift is helpful so that muscles practice & stay up over time.
- Your provider should also consider incorporating bunny lines when performing crows feet so that you don’t get inclining lines.
- You should consider getting this treatment in your chin so that dimples don’t form permanently over time. However, avoid the sides; the centre/core is the only safe zone.
- When injecting masseters, which is the treatment of the jaw fibres responsible for grinding & clenching, your provider should try to stay posterior to avoid affecting your smile.
When done correctly, Botox is both safe & effective. Our team of medical professionals has the training & experience to help make your treatment comfortable & reduce the risk of complications. If you are considering Botox & have any questions or concerns, call us today to schedule a consultation.
Botox Mistakes FAQs
Is Botox a Poison?
Botox & other similar wrinkle relaxing agents such as Xeomin, Dysport, & Jeuveau are safe & have been FDA approved for many cosmetic & medical indications.
Produced by Clostridium botulinum, Type A formulations on the market are usually indicated for cosmetic use, while Type B is recommended for the treatment of muscular dystonia. Just as aspirin can be lethal in high dosage (the mechanism that made it famous as rat poison), other medications can also be harmful in lethal dosage.
However, while the deadly botulism dose of Botox is in the 2,500 to 3,500 units for a 150 lb person, a typical cosmetic amount utilized is significantly lesser this amount (usually less than 100 units), making the procedures safe for use.
What Is Botox Used For?
Botox is utilized to treat many conditions from migraines to TMJ pain, to extreme sweating (hyperhidrosis). Many patients prefer to use Botox to reduce the signs of ageing & aid facial symmetry.
Botox is FDA-approved & is used to reduce the appearance of forehead lines, frown lines, & crows feet. Off label, it can also be used to lift brows, open the eyes, lessen nasal bunny lines, decrease nasal flaring, lift the nose tip, decrease dimpling of the chin, raise lip corners, evert the lips to create a fuller look, decrease a gummy smile, lift droopy jowls, slim the lower part of the face, smooth out neckbands, reduce calf size, treat asymmetry from Bella’s palsy (facial paralysis) amongst other cosmetic & medical implications.
Clinically, it’s recognized safe & effective in these applications, & further clinical trials are underway for each FDA approval.
How Long Does Botox Last?
The length of time results will last from Botox depends on several factors. The quantity used, the area injected, the strength of your muscle, your level of sensitivity to the botulinum protein, your metabolism, stress level, & your activity level can all affect the duration of your Botox.
On average, patients undergo repeat Botox procedures every 3 to 4 months to sustain their results as they notice their muscle action returning.
How Much Does Botox Cost?
The cost of Botox injections can vary greatly. Some providers value their treatments according to the figure of units used. Other providers charge their price based on the number of areas treated. The expense may also vary based on location & the provider’s experience. Visit our pricing page or schedule a consultation with The Skin Nurse cosmetic consultant to learn how much your treatment will cost.
What Are the Bad Side Effects of Botox?
Botox is deemed to be a safe & effective way to treat fine lines & wrinkles. That being said, some insignificant side effects can uncommonly be connected with its use, including headaches, infection, dry mouth, itching, & rashes.
Other more rare but severe side effects incorporate loss of bladder control, severe muscle weakness, & trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing. Your cosmetic provider at The Skin Nurse Clinic will provide you with a comprehensive list of symptoms & make sure you are aware of any life-threatening issues that can occur.
What Should You Not Do After Botox?
For 4 hours after the Botox treatment, you should avoid exercising, bending over, & lying down. Also, avoid rubbing or touching the areas that are injected to decrease the risk of infection or diffusion into surrounding muscles.
Can I Go For a Walk After Botox?
Many cosmetic providers urge patients to bypass exercise altogether for the first 4 hours following this treatment, as doing exercises can decrease their effectiveness due to boosted blood flow.
We suggest avoiding use for 4 hours after your Botox procedure. After that time, you can return to your regular activities.
Should I Move My Face After Botox?
Yes. Contracting the treated fiber twice every 15 minutes serves to uptake the Botox & make your treatment more effective. The area may initially feel strange or numb.
However, dodge rubbing or touching your face following Botox procedure since these actions can cause Botox to reach other, unintended areas & cause adverse side effects.
Can I Drink Coffee After Botox?
While many believe that Caffeine—as well as alcohol, spicy foods, cigarettes & Niacin supplements, can add to increased swelling & irritation. These symptoms are unlikely with Botox injections as the needles are tiny & Botox does not cause much trauma.
Can I Go Back to Work After Botox?
Botox is a quick & beneficial procedure & often only takes 10 minutes or less to finish. Patients typically have no healing time because Botox is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure.
Patients who actually have active jobs & want to avoid working for 4 hours they can. They can also return to their jobs on the same day after their procedure if they want to.
Does Botox Make You Look Older After It Wears Off?
One prevalent misconception about this treatment is that Botox makes patients look older once it wears off. This is really not true at all! One of the +ve “side effects” of Botox is that it can ward off signs of ageing, as the areas that are operated have reduced movement & therefore, are less likely to produce further wrinkles.
Also, the fibres that pull the face downwards or create frown lines are atrophied a bit later this treatment which can advance to be beneficial even after Botox wears off!
What Is a Good Age to Get Botox?
More & more people are opting for Botox & some are doing it pretty early. Although most patients elect to undergo Botox treatments in their early 30s, some in their mid-20s are choosing Botox treatment as a preventive measure to combat signs of ageing. Ultimately, it depends on you, your goals, & your genetic predisposition.
If you are one of the people who has profound wrinkles when frowning, the damage from the folded skin can produce lines at an earlier age than someone who doesn’t fold as much. Hence, you must be wanting to start prevention earlier. Consult with any of The Skin cosmetic providers to find out whether Botox is a good fit for your needs or not?
