Botox, like all aesthetic treatments, requires post-treatment care to ensure the best results are achieved as well as help prevent any side effects.
The aftercare measures that one is supposed to adhere to can greatly determine the success rate and duration of the s treatment. Botox has botulinum toxin as its active component which functions by freezing the muscles that make the wrinkles.
Following some guidelines after the use of Botox is important because it will help in achieving the right positioning of the substance and the wanted outcome.
Next, one should not touch or rub the part of the body that has been injected with Botox or massage it. This is because the Botox requires some time to integrate into the muscles that have been targeted and any pressure together with any movement may lead to the dispersion of the Botox into other areas that you did not intend.
It can cause side effects such as drooping of the eyelids or even unevenness. It is reported that such an action as touching the treated area raises adverse effects of up to 30%. (Source) Thus, it is better not to touch your face with your hands for at least one day after the procedure.
Patients should also avoid activities such as heavy lifting and intense exercises since these cause sweating and the complications of Botox may take around one day to manifest themselves.
Because Botox works in response to movement these patients, who engage in physical activities that aid blood circulation may see the botulinum toxin product moving away from the targeted muscles. On the same note, sweating poses a threat to infection in the areas with injection since most of them are in the armpits.
According to a fresh poll of 200 cosmetic surgery patients carried out under the guidance of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, those women who avoided intensive workouts 24 hours after the Botox injection enjoyed a 20 percent higher level of satisfaction. (Source)
There is also vital information recommended that one should not lie down for at least four hours after the Botox treatment. If you lie down too early, Botox may migrate to unwanted regions of the face, leading to side effects such as drooping eyebrows or eyelids.
There is also a Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology study that supports this recommendation as patients who remained in the sitting position for at least four hours experienced lower rates of Botox movement accompanied by side effects. If you are tired avoid lying flat; it is better to sit in a chair for a while.
It is recommended not to plan any other facial treatments, for instance: facials, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion within two weeks after the Botox treatment.
Such treatments can compromise the settling process of the Botox hence spreading out to areas that were not intended. The skin takes some time to recover after the injections, and combining other treatments raises the chances of adverse effects.
The American Academy of Dermatology in its report discourages the use of many facial treatments within a short period stating that it roughly comes up to 15% of the probability of a side effect. (Source)
An appointment plan is an important part of Botox aftercare. These appointments enable your practitioner to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, then fix any issues and regulate the medication.
Not attending these sessions might lead to conditions not being managed to the best of their potential and overall, bettering the application of Botox not being possible.
A report that involved carrying out a retrospective analysis pointed out that patients with follow-up appointments had a 25% higher chance of achieving their desired aesthetical outcome than those without such appointments. We also strongly encourage follow-up visits because at Rama Care we strive to give the patient the best results.