Botox is a procedure that involves injecting a neurotoxic protein into the skin that relaxes the muscles in your face to smooth out any wrinkles and lines. These include crow’s feet and frown lines. It’s not permanent and tends to last for around 3-4 months. Many people choose to get this procedure done to make themselves look and feel younger. If you’re a veteran of botox then you’ll know everything there is to know about it, but if you’re heading into the procedure a virgin it’s good to know what to expect and if there are any tips to aid recovery.
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The Procedure
The procedure is a simple one that takes as little as 10 minutes to complete. Before getting botox treatments your face is usually cleaned and then the botulinum toxin will be injected in your facial muscles using a needle. It’s usual for a number of different injections to take place in different areas around the face or depending on the area that’s being treated. The person administering your injections will ask you to move your muscles around to find the best possible injection site.
Avoid Anything Hot
After your procedure has finished there are a few things you’ll have to do to aid your recovery process. The first thing you’ll need to do is avoid things such as hot showers, baths or anything else that will expose yourself to heat. What heat does is expand and dilate the blood vessels which will increase your chance of developing bruising. The size of the needle is so small that it’s highly unlikely that bruising will occur but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Avoiding heat for just one day will dramatically reduce the risk of bruising showing up.
Don’t Exercise For 24 Hours
When we say don’t exercise, it means strenuous exercise. Taking a walk isn’t going to affect you too much. There isn’t really a recommended time to not do anything post botox procedure, but it’s best to avoid anything heavy for 24 hours. Don’t go running or anything else that involves your heart rate rising too high.
You’ll probably notice some redness or swelling after you get botox, so avoiding exercise will help your body in its recovery. Not only this but it gives the product time to settle down ensuring the results are as even as possible.
Stop Rubbing!
Stimulating movement near the injection site is going to negatively affect your results. It will take up to 7 days for the results to start showing so try to avoid rubbing the area for as long as you possibly can.
Try Not To Nap For A Few Hours
Whilst most people won’t even think about taking a nap, there are a few people that would think of heading home and getting in a quick power nap. In order for the botox to settle in it’s advised to avoid sleeping for the first 3-5 hours after your treatment. This is to avoid you turning over and rubbing your face on the pillow, causing the botox to move around, subsequently affecting your results.
Use An Extra Pillow
You’re going to have to go to bed at some point after your treatment, and the same risk is taken so it’s best to try and sleep with your head raised a little more. Use an extra pillow to help reduce and control any swelling that may occur.
Use Painkillers To Control Discomfort
Whilst most people will tell you that botox doesn’t hurt or shouldn’t hurt, there’s never a guarantee that you’re not going to experience some discomfort. Everyone is different and has a different pain threshold so if you are experiencing some pain you can use painkillers to try and calm it down.
But Don’t Use Blood Thinners
There are some painkillers that will thin your blood which can lead to bruising. Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include meds such as Motrin, aspirin and Advil. You should try and avoid these drugs for at least 24 hours from your injections. It’s also a good idea to let your doctor know of any medications you are taking prior to injecting botox to ensure your safety and the best results.
Botox is something many people turn to when trying to keep themselves feeling young and looking the best they think they can. It’s something that’s usually explored after your 20s but is a great procedure to boost confidence and make you feel great. There are plenty of things you can do post-procedure to aid recovery so if you’re new to the world of botox, take a look at this list and do everything you can to make sure your results look incredible and stay that way.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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