Botox Preparation and What You Should Know

Must Know Important Botox Preparation Information

Every year, more than six million people receive Botox injections to help with everything from fine lines and wrinkles to migraines and excessive sweating.

Are you interested in Botox injections? Or, are you feeling a little apprehensive about the procedure, even though you know it could help you?

If you’re on the fence about Botox injections, keep reading.

The more you know about the procedure and proper Botox preparation, the more confident you’ll be going in to have it done.

What is Botox?

Botox, also known as botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxin. It’s derived from a naturally occurring organism called Clostridium botulinum.

Botox injections work by paralyzing the muscles in a particular area — usually the face — to block nerve signals and prevent muscle contracts. This relaxes the area to smooth out existing wrinkles, and it helps slow the formation of new wrinkles.

• Must Read – Understanding Medicare: Tips on Choosing the Right Plan for You

Botox Preparation Tips

As with any kind of cosmetic procedure, the more you know about Botox and how to prepare for the injections, the less likely you are to be nervous when you go in for your appointment.

1. What to Expect from the Procedure

The procedure for administering Botox injections is minimally invasive. There’s no need for general anesthesia or incisions, but your provider may apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area.

The provider will use a very thin needle to administer the injections. Most people start by getting injections in the area between their eyebrows and on the sides of the eyes, although you can get them anywhere you have wrinkles or fine lines.

The procedure is very short and typically only lasts about ten minutes.

2. Possible Side Effects

Botox injections typically don’t come with a lot of side effects, and many people find that, after the procedure, they can easily get right back to their day.

However, some mild side effects are possible. Some of the most common ones include:

• Mild pain and swelling at the injection site
• Numbness
• Bruising
• Headaches
• Temporary paralysis or weakness of muscles near the injection site
• Fatigue
• Mild nausea

These side effects typically go away shortly after the procedures. If they persist for more than a day, call your doctor.

• Also See – 6 Important Things to Know About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

3. What to do Before Your Treatment

If you want to have a good first treatment, keeping these guidelines in mind can help:

• Choose the right provider: Look for someone who is board-certified, has very few negative reviews online, and specializes in administering Botox injections.
• Be transparent about your medical history: This will help your doctor know if you’ll experience any adverse side effects from the injections.
• Get a consultation to see if injections are the best idea for your specific concerns.
• Set realistic expectations for what Botox can do: It’s a highly effective treatment but remember that it’s not magic.
• Stop taking blood thinning medications a week before your injections: This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, Excedrin, vitamin E, and St. John’s Wart.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions: It’s your face, you have a right to know what’s going to happen to it.

Be sure to also ask your doctor about what they do in the event that something goes wrong. Will they give you a discount or free treatment if you don’t get the results you’re looking for?

While, in a perfect world, you won’t need to take advantage of these offers. At the same time, it’s still good to know what to expect before forking over your hard-earned money for treatment.

Asking about these offers can also help you weed out questionable providers. Anyone who’s worth giving your money to will guarantee your results first.

4. What to do the Day of Your Treatment

There’s not as much that you need to do the day of your treatment. But, there are still a few things you can do to ensure you’re more comfortable while receiving the injections, including the following:

• Avoid wearing makeup, lotion, or other products on your face: the doctor will wipe them off anyway before administering the injections, so there’s no point in getting dolled up ahead of time.
• Stay still: the less you move, the easier it is for your doctor to be precise during the injection process.
• Use ice: icing the area before, during, and after your treatment will help reduce the chances of bruising.

Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions during the procedure, too. They will ask you to smile, frown, or relax at certain points during the process.

It’s important to follow these instructions so your doctor can make sure they’re inserting the needle in the correct place.

• You May Like – Rhinoplasty: What to Expect Before and After a Nose Job

5. What to do After Your Treatment

What you do after your treatment is probably most important. Following these guidelines will ensure that you see the best results from your injections and avoid potential complications.

• Don’t touch, rub, or massage the injection site for 24 hours (this can cause the Botox to spread to other areas).
• Avoid strenuous activity.
• Avoid consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
• Avoid other cosmetic treatments like facials, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels for 24 hours.
• Avoid taking blood thinning medications for at least 24 hours.

Be sure to call your doctor immediately if you experience any uncomfortable side effects.

6. How Long Do the Results Last?

As with most treatments, the results of Botox injections take a couple of days to sink in. Most people don’t notice a change until one or two days post-treatment, so give them some time to work before you panic or call your doctor claiming they didn’t work.

The results of your injections will typically last for about three or four months before they start to fade. After that, you’ll need additional injections to maintain the results of your procedure.

As you can see, there’s a certain amount of commitment required if you want to see long-term benefits from your Botox injections. If you’re willing to keep up with your appointments and follow these guidelines, though, there’s no reason why they can’t work for you.

Want to Learn More?

Do you want to learn more about Botox preparation? What about other cosmetic procedures and tips to enhance your appearance and lifestyle?

Check out our lifestyle, fashion, and beauty articles today for more information and inspiration!