Botox®, short for Botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxic protein that can minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles by paralyzing the nerves. This blockade of the nerve signal allows facial muscles to relax and leaves the skin looking rejuvenated. Botox® improvements are temporary, but patients can act to extend the results of their treatment. For example, proper care can keep a face treated with Botox® appearing revitalized for around several months.
Combining all the following tips could help you preserve Botox® results if you recently received treatment. Dr. Steele can answer questions about post-treatment care and help set you up for success.
Preserving Botox® from the Beginning
Ensuring that Botox® results last as long as possible starts from the beginning of the treatment process. You can optimize the impact of your procedure by being proactive.
Choosing the Right Doctor for Botox® Injections
Only a licensed physician or his licensed delegate can administer Botox® since the treatment is an FDA-approved prescription medicine. Choosing a highly experienced board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Steele or well-trained aesthetician like Jennifer Geyer will help protect you from injury or other unwanted side effects. For example, they will work hard to maximize the impact of your Botox® procedure and preserve the noticeable results.
Seek Continuous Injections
Scheduling regular Botox® appointments will also preserve your results by helping your rejuvenated facial muscles stay in place for longer, so you should always arrange a follow-up appointment before the effects of the previous procedure wear off. Doing so will encourage muscle memory and maximize the impact of the injections.
What to Do after a Botox® Injection
Preserving the results of a Botox® procedure does not end with choosing the right doctor and scheduling regular injections. You can act outside of Dr. Steele’s plastic surgery office to lengthen the lifespan of Botox® enhancements.
Avoid Harsh Abrasives and Scrubs after Botox®
Immediately following a Botox® treatment, your skin will be extra sensitive. Experts suggest you carefully apply any of your regular skincare products for at least 48 hours after receiving Botox® injections. It is ok to wash your face and apply moisturizer during this period, you just need to be gentle.
Exercise and Reduce Stress after Botox® Treatments
After receiving Botox® injections, you should try your best to exercise your facial muscles. Frowning, grimacing, squinting, and lifting your eyebrows following your treatment can help the proteins settle into place.
Meanwhile if you maintain a regular full-body exercise routine, wait until the next day to resume your activity. If you increase your metabolism through taxing physical activity immediately following treatment, the proteins in the Botox® injection might begin to breakdown or you may exacerbate any bruising form the treatment.
Finally, avoiding unnecessary stress can help maintain the impact of a Botox® treatment. Since stressful situations exacerbate the signs of aging and create wrinkles, you could consider practicing meditation, yoga, or other relaxing activities.
Protect Your Face from Sun Damage
Ultraviolet light from the sun causes more damage to the skin than almost any common environmental factor. Therefore, protection from the sun’s penetrating rays is crucial for preserving your Botox® results.
Overexposure to UV light creates inflammation on a cellular level. Since Botox® is a protein, UV damage can shorten the lifespan of the neurotoxin. Therefore, many dermatologists recommend a sunblock that contains blue light filters for prolonging the effects of Botox®.
Skincare to Lengthen the Lifespan of Botox®
Finally, proper skincare is essential to preserving the effects of a Botox® injection. Plastic surgeons recommend using skincare products that hydrate the face and protect cells from harmful UV light. Consider products that contain:
- Antioxidant serums
- Collagen peptides
- Hyaluronic acid
- Retinol
- Zinc
Dr. Steele understands how to best care for the face after Botox® injections and can recommend a personalized preservation plan for your unique skin.
Contact Dr. Steele about Preserving your Botox® Results
If you are considering scheduling an impactful Botox® procedure to treat facial wrinkles, you need to understand common side effects of the injections and how to best care for your skin after treatment. There are many powerful tactics that you can implement to preserve Botox® results, and Dr. Steele can outline your options. Reach out to the office today to schedule your initial appointment.