How to Prep for a Botox Treatment
Wrinkles, fine lines, smile lines and eye bags can all make you look older than you really are. This can have a devastating effect on your confidence and self-esteem. Thankfully, you can restore your smooth, youthful look by receiving Botox injections.
Botox is a non-surgical treatment that involves injecting bacteria clostridium botulinum into specific areas around the face and neck to prevent the release of signals responsible for wrinkling. The procedure is fast and painless, making Botox one of the most popular cosmetic treatments.
Botox treatment is not a one-time procedure but a continuous process that might take up to four months to complete. For the treatment to be effective and for you to obtain desirable results, you must take the necessary measures to prepare.
Here’s what not to do before Botox:
1. Drink Alcohol
Doctors often advise that patients should avoid eating or drinking anything 12 to 24 hours before a surgical procedure. While Botox doesn’t require you to stay away from food, avoiding alcohol before Botox is highly recommended. The main reason for this is that alcohol tends to thin the blood, increasing the risk of bruising and bleeding. It also dries the skin, making Botox treatment less effective.
2. Drink Coffee
You should also avoid coffee before Botox. This is because coffee contains caffeine, which may trigger your blood pressure and increase the likelihood of bruising during the procedure. For this reason, you should avoid coffee and other beverages containing caffeine at least 24 hours before the treatment.
3. Use Topical Products
Some topical products such as Retin-A, Retinols, Glycolic Acid, Retinoids, and Alpha Hydroxy Acid may break your skin, making you susceptible to bruises and infections after the procedure. You should stay away from topical products starting three days before Botox treatment. If you have sensitive skin or a history of perioral herpes, you should start antiviral therapy days before treatment so that the medication doesn’t react to Botox.
4. Waxing, Bleaching, or Tweezing
Another precaution that you should take is to avoid bleaching, waxing, or tweezing the area to be treated. You should also avoid using depilatory creams near the area to be treated for one or two days prior to Botox treatment.
5. Take Aspirin or Blood-Thinning Medications
You’ll need to stop taking blood-thinning medications such as ibuprofen, Excedrin, and aspirin before Botox. Remember to ask your doctor before stopping your medications. In some cases, you may need to consider rescheduling your Botox treatment until you finish your dosage.
Book Your Appointment Today
Botox treatment is one of the best ways to deal with the effects of aging. This treatment option can help get rid of wrinkles and fine lines, restoring your youthful look. However, to utilize Botox treatment effectively, you must start preparing weeks before the procedure. Talking to Dr. Brought and his professional staff at Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute can help you learn how to prepare for Botox and fillers. Call us at 615-791-9090 or reach out to us online to book your appointment today.
