Unlock Your Botox’s Full Potential by Avoiding These Activities

Most of us strive to have youthful, glowing skin. Botox is a popular treatment for preventing fine lines and creases and removing existing wrinkles.

It’s a quick, simple fix that can completely transform your look and give you that extra boost of confidence. If you’re thinking about going under the needle, it’s important you know the dos and don’ts after getting Botox to achieve beautiful, long-lasting results.

1. Exercise

You’ll want to skip your gym session when you get your Botox treatment. Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Yael Halaas tells Vogue, “I advise my patients to avoid physical activity, especially strenuous exercise, for 24 hours following a treatment.” Working out promotes blood flow and can cause Botox to spread to other muscle groups in your face.

This can lead to facial freezing and unwanted results, so it’s best to rest and relax after treatment for the best results possible.

2. Lie Down

While it’s tempting to lie down and sleep after your treatment, it’s best to avoid it. Laying down shortly after getting Botox can cause it to migrate to other areas of your face, which you’ll want to avoid.

Bending or laying down can also promote bruising, so sit up for at least four hours after your procedure.

3. Drink Alcohol

Getting a celebratory drink or two after your treatment may sound like a good idea, but it could do more harm than good in the long run.

According to James Zins, a cosmetic surgeon, it’s best to skip the drinks at happy hour as they can raise your blood pressure and promote bruising.

4. Get a Facial

Fewer things are as relaxing as getting a pampering facial, but getting one could negatively affect the results of your treatment. Facials often include massaging the face and tissue, but unfortunately, this can cause Botox to migrate and spread to other nearby muscles.

You should avoid getting a facial for at least fourteen days after treatment.

5. Touch Your Face

Just like a facial massage can cause your Botox to spread and migrate to unwanted areas, touching your face can cause Botox, a liquid, to spread.

While it can only spread half an inch, that’s enough to affect other muscles and areas of your face and change the overall result of your treatment. Give yourself at least twelve hours before rubbing or touching your face.

6. Sleep on Your Face

If you tend to sleep on the side or your stomach, you might want to change your sleeping positions shortly after going under the needle. It’s recommended that you avoid sleeping within four hours after your procedure and, when you do, avoid sleeping in the areas where you received treatment.

This will help alleviate any physical pressure while letting the Botox settle into the correct muscles on your face.

7. Go out Into the Sun

According to experts, it is recommended that sun exposure be avoided for at least four hours post-treatment. Sun exposure can increase blood pressure, leading to potential bruising. Staying out of the sun is also an excellent anti-aging skincare strategy to keep your skin youthful and fresh.

When healing from Botox, you must be extra diligent and careful with your skin. If you’re genuinely worried about sun exposure, avoid the sun for 24 to 48 hours to stay safe.

8. Wear Hats or Visors

You might be surprised that hats and visors can negatively affect your healing after Botox. Dr. Halaas tells Vogue that she advises her patients to avoid wearing hats or visors for at least four hours after the injection.

This rule applies to those who have gotten Botox on their foreheads, as the pressure from wearing a hat or visor can disrupt how the Botox settles.

9. Go in a Hot Tub or Sauna

Saunas, hot tubs, and tanning beds are off-limits after Botox treatments, and for good reason. The heat from a hot tub or sauna can raise blood pressure, leading to unwanted bruising.

By avoiding hot tubs, saunas, and tanning beds, you can speed up the healing process and avoid bruising and tenderness.

10. Take a Hot Bath or Shower

A hot bath or shower is undoubtedly a great way to unwind and relax, but it’s best to hold off on the heat. Having a hot bath or shower can cause flushing and raise your blood pressure, which can, in turn, promote bruising.

For the best healing practices after injections, take a cool shower or bath to be safe.

11. Use an Exfoliating Scrub

Exfoliating scrubs must be rubbed into the skin to work properly, so you’ll want to skip this step of your skincare routine after getting Botox.

Rubbing your face to an exfoliating scrub can not only irritate your skin but may also spread the Botox into other areas of your face, causing it to migrate. Take a break from using exfoliating scrubs until your Botox has settled.

12. Get Additional Treatment

Getting additional facial treatments like dermal fillers is not recommended after going under the needle. As a precaution, it’s best to avoid dermal fillers for at least 24 hours after receiving Botox.

Additional treatments could reduce the effectiveness of Botox and also affect your final results. Instead, give yourself time between procedures to allow the Botox to settle completely, as the final results may take a few days to show up.

13. Use Aspirin or Similar Medications

You’ll want to skip out on using pain medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen Sodium too soon after treatment. All three of these medications are blood thinners, which increase the risk of bruising and even bleeding after Botox injections.

If you’re dealing with discomfort from pain or swelling post-treatment, it’s recommended that you take Tylenol instead.