Botox is an increasingly popular treatment option that can be used for various purposes. While it’s most known for its ability to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, it can also be used to treat and/or prevent migraines,, excessive sweating, neck spasms, and more.

Regardless of the purpose, there are two things you must always be sure of when scheduling Botox injections:

  • Choose an experienced healthcare professional for your treatment
  • Follow the proper aftercare steps and best practices to maximize results and minimize side effects

Below, we’ll discuss what you need to know about the recovery process after receiving a Botox treatment.

First 24 Hours: Immediate Botox Aftercare Best Practices

Again, Botox typically has great results, but there are a few Botox aftercare instructions that can help with lowering the risk of bruising and other potential side effects. Here are the dos and don’ts of the first 24 hours post-Botox.

What to Do

For optimal results and to get the full effect of your Botox injections, here are some things you should do:

  • Follow instructions: The provider that performs your treatment will offer after instructions. Be sure to follow those.
  • Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water will improve skin’s elasticity and lead to better results.
  • Stay upright: Avoid lying down for at least four hours after treatment.
  • Use ice packs or cool compresses: If the injected areas are red or swollen, wrap an ice pack in a cloth and place it gently against the affected area.
  • Be patient: Botox results don’t show up immediately, but they will show up. Give the procedure five to seven days to make its effects fully known.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Especially if you’re trying to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet, it’s important to drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and use daily sunscreen.
  • Schedule a follow-up appointment: Check in with your healthcare professional, so they can see the results and answer any questions.
  • Get on a maintenance plan: Botox isn’t forever, and depending on what you’re using it for, you’re likely going to want to receive treatments on an ongoing basis. Talk through your goals with your treatment provider.

What to Avoid

Just as there are aftercare tips that require action, there are aftercare tips that require your inaction. Here’s what you definitely don’t want to do in the 24 hours following Botox work:

  • No strenuous exercise: While light physical activity is fine, getting your heart rate up through strenuous activity will increase blood flow to the injection areas, potentially resulting in more swelling and bruising.
  • Don’t take NSAIDs: Options like ibuprofen and Tylenol can raise your blood pressure, which will promote bruising.
  • Avoid heat: From hot baths and hot tubs to saunas and sun exposure, stay away from heat sources and UV rays in the 24 hours following your Botox treatment.
  • No alcohol consumption: In addition to dehydrating your skin, alcohol can also thin your blood, which can lead to bruising and even bleeding at the injection site.
  • Don’t massage or rub the injection site: Your job after treatment is to let the Botox settle and go to work at the injection site. Massage, facials, rubbing, and excessive movement can all disrupt the toxin’s intended work at the targeted muscles.
  • Skip the facial: A facial might feel great, and it does help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but wait a few days before scheduling one or have one right before your Botox treatment.

When Will You See Results and How Long Will They Last?

In general, it takes three to seven days before you’ll be able to see the results of your Botox injections. For people who get cosmetic procedures regularly, this waiting period can be difficult (especially when compared to dermal filler injections, which show up instantly).

So Botox users have to exercise a bit of patience. Once the results are in, however, they can last for as long as six months, depending on the dose and what you’re treating. The shortest length of time for a Botox treatment to last is around two months.

Lifestyle Effects on Botox Longevity

Want to make the effects of your Botox injection last longer? Most Botox users report that lifestyle changes and maintenance can go a long way in improving Botox longevity. Tips include:

  • Get regular exercise, which helps with skin and muscle tone
  • Stay hydrated
  • Avoid drinking alcohol
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Eat whole foods
  • Maintain your natural weight
  • Practice yoga and other stress reduction techniques
  • Use sunscreen
  • Exfoliate

Maintenance With a Trusted Healthcare Professional

Perhaps the most important factor in Botox longevity is ongoing maintenance. Not all Botox treatment providers — or treatments — are alike. Once you’ve established a trusted rapport with someone, stick with them. Maintenance through Botox can help you maintain a more youthful appearance as you age, and working with a trusted expert is an essential part of that.

Common Side Effects: What’s Normal and When to Seek Medical Attention

Common side effects of Botox can include headache, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, neck pain, redness, swelling, bruising, and even indigestion. Most of these — if you have them at all — will be short-lived, lasting less than 48 hours. 

However, if you have the following side effects, be sure to reach out to the healthcare professional who treated you:

  • Shortness of breath or difficult breathing
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Muscle paralysis
  • Confusion
  • Slurred speech
  • Blurry or double vision
  • Muscle weakness
  • Drooping eyelids

Schedule Your Botox Treatment With VITRA Aesthetics

Whether you’re looking to reduce wrinkles, lift a droopy mouth, or plump up your upper lip, our expert team is second to none.

Schedule a consultation today at any one of our locations in Huntington, Islip, Smithtown, and Massapequa, and get the results you’ve been dreaming of.