When it comes down to it, getting the most out of your cosmetic injections is up to you.
Yes, you need a qualified injector and products to get the results you want, but when it really comes down to it, how you follow your aftercare instructions can make the difference when it comes to your cosmetic injection results. To get the most out of every treatment, be mindful in the hours and days immediately following your injections. But before we get to that, let’s talk about what needs to happen prior to your appointment to help set you up for success.
Disclaimer: If you are sitting reading this and quietly freaking out that you’ve never followed these instructions and are on round I-lost-count of cosmetic injections, just breathe. Don’t beat yourself up and just do your best to follow these recommendations before and after your next treatment. Once you do, I’d be curious to hear about your experience—notice the difference?
Before Your Botox & Filler, Do This
This may be new information for some of you, but your preparation for botox and filler starts as early as one week before your treatment—crazy, right? For us non-planners, I like to say three days prior to the treatment is absolutely fine. But if you’re taking medicines that contribute to blood thinning, the earlier you can hold off before your botox or filler injection, the less likely you are to bruise. Everything from cocktails, advil, aspirin, aleve, omega 3, fish oil, vitamin e, and garlic should be avoided to minimize risk of bruising. I always recommend my patients leave at least two weeks in between their appointment with me and big events (weddings, holiday parties, birthdays, trips, etc.) just in case of bruising. To learn more about what causes bruising (particularly after lip filler), read my recent blog, Bruising After Lip Filler Injections.
Finally, before your first botox or filler treatment, consult with your family doctor. According to the FDA, botox and filler should not be used by pregnant women due to the fluctuating hormones and issues cosmetic injections can cause with blood flow and swelling. If you are a first-timer—first off, welcome! I have treated so many first-timers and this blog post is for you—please be aware of any allergies you have. All the ingredients to my preferred brands (Dysport, Nuceiva, Revanesse, Redensity I, Redensity II) are available online. During your treatment consultation, which happens at the beginning of every appointment whether you are a new patient or not, I will ask if you have any allergies.
Don’t Do This After Your Botox & Filler
You got botox or filler and immediately it’s giving confidence, despite the fact that your botox results won’t be visible for days. Now here’s what you need to do to get the most out of your cosmetic injections:
DO NOT lay down for four to six hours post-treatment to avoid migration of the product. This includes looking at your phone for extended periods of time. Not only is this not great for your posture and neck in general, but this can cause pooling of the product that you just won’t want. Keep your face as upright as you can. This is an important one! In fact, it’s highly recommended that you sleep on your back for two weeks if possible—sorry stomach sleepers.
DO continue to animate and exercise your treated facial muscles as normal, especially after botox. This helps spread the product naturally.
DO NOT apply any excessive pressure on the treatment area. This means no booking a facial after your botox or filler treatment, being gentle when washing your face, skipping applying makeup if possible and please for the love of, no touching your face. The next day, if you need to return to your normal skin and makeup routine, do so gently. By day three, you can start to massage lips if any bumps or nodules are felt.
DO Ice the treated area (especially after filler injections) for ten minutes on and ten minutes off to minimize swelling and decrease risk of bruising. Redness and slight swelling is completely normal—some bruising may be visible. You may experience some tenderness at the treatment sites for a few minutes or up to a few days. After three days, you can switch out the ice pack to a warm compress to help speed up your healing and minimize bruising.
DO NOT elevate blood pressure. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to skip leg day, this is it. You cannot exercise for the remainder of your treatment day. Because we don’t want blood flow to increase and promote bruising, this means you should also avoid hot baths, hot tubs, saunas, tanning, or anything else that may cause your temperature to rise.
DO feel free to contact your cosmetic injector if you are noticing any issues post-treatment. Typically, we will be unable to treat or book a follow-up appointment until day 14. At the two week mark, full results will be seen and any asymmetry, spocking or concerns can be addressed. If you choose to go with me as your cosmetic injector, please know my DMs are always open for questions or concerns.
DO NOT book other personal appointments such as massages or dental cleanings—in fact, wait two weeks until getting in the dental chair.
DO NOT consume any blood thinners. Just as you prepared for your botox or filler treatment by avoiding things like alcohol and aspirin, you’ll need to continue to do so for at least 24 hours post-treatment. Why? To decrease risk of swelling and potential bruising. Some patients do experience headaches post-injections. If that’s you, tylenol can be used to manage pain without impacting bruising.
DO hydrate…a lot!! To decrease chances of bruising further and increase healing, drink plenty of water post-injections. Also just in life, hydrate a lot.
Is Botox & Filler Aftercare That Important?
Listen, I get it. Sometimes you have wine with the girls planned immediately after your botox treatment (bare face, red dots and all). Having done botox and filler myself for many years now, I speak from experience when I say, you know your body best. Everyone is different in how they react to botox and filler injections—where some bruise immediately and have to be extremely cautious with blood thinners, others haven’t experienced bruising post lip filler. My recommendation in explaining all these botox and filler aftercare best practices is to try it. If you have never followed any of these instructions, the next time you come see me (or any injector for that matter) give it a go and see what happens.
To book with me at any of my four locations (Refinery House, Chilliwack; Avenue 42, Langley; Elegance Sculpting, Parksville; or Xpose Salon, Nanaimo), click here. I share information like this almost daily over on my Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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