Botox is an out-patient procedure that can be quickly performed after your initial consultation. One of the great things about Botox is that it doesn't impact your ability to keep you with your regular schedule. The one downside to Botox though is that it can leave behind a little bruising and swelling after you get your injections. Luckily, there are specific steps you can take to reduce any swelling or bruising before and after you get your Botox injections.
Avoid Blood Thinners
If you know you will be going in for a Botox injection, avoid using any blood thinners. Blood thinners include regular over-the-counter medication such as Aleve, Motrin, Advil, and generic aspirin. Basically, any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that you are taking can thin your blood.
Thinning your blood can make you bruise more easily. It is best to avoid taking any blood thinners the day leading up to your Botox procedure and the day following the procedure if that is safe for your health. This should help reduce bruising following your procedure.
Don't Touch the Injection Site
Next, do not touch the injection site. You should not touch or rub the injection site in the 24-hours following your injection. Touching or rubbing the injection site can cause the Botox to spread to areas that you didn't intend for the injection to go to. If you want to get the results that you were looking for, you need to avoid touching the injection site. It is best to just avoid touching your face in general until you see your final results outside of necessary touches, like washing your face each day.
Avoid Exercising
The good thing about Botox is that you don't have to really change your life after you get an injection. However, it is a smart idea to avoid strenuous exercise in the 24-hours following your procedure. Put off that ten mile run, that Zumba class, or that long hike you have been planning for another day.
Avoiding strenuous exercise will help ensure that the Botox settles where it was intended to go in your face. Taking it a little easy for a day will also allow your body to focus on healing up, which can help reduce swelling and bruising around the injection site.
Keep Heat from Your Face
Finally, you are going to want to keep heat from your face. Do not wash your face the day following your injection. Do not sit in a hot tub or enjoy some time inside of a sauna. Avoid taking a hot shower or a hot bath. Bathe before you go in for your Botox treatment. Keeping away from heat can help reduce the chance of your skin bruising.
You can apply ice to the area to calm swelling. Don't keep the ice on for too long; too much ice can actually lead to skin burns. Apply ice wrapped inside of a towel for twenty minutes or less. Cooling your skin will reduce the chance of bruising.
Don't take any blood thinners before you get Botox. After your injection, avoid heat, don't touch the injection site, and avoid really working out for a day. Just changing your routine for a day can help reduce the chance of swelling and bruising and will help the Botox settle and give you the results that you desire.
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