Did you know that your normal range of expressions, such as smiling, frowning, and squinting, can cause fine lines and wrinkles on your skin? Sadly, any facial movement that causes the muscles to contract can ultimately age your face. BOTOX® Cosmetic is an injectable treatment that helps smooth out those expression lines, wrinkles, and creases, refreshing your skin and rolling back the years on your face and neck.
As with any other cosmetic procedure, you want to get the maximum mileage from your BOTOX treatment. Some factors affecting BOTOX longevity aren’t completely within your control, such as your own personal metabolism. However, you can take some steps to keep your skin healthy and help maintain your results as long as possible. Here is our guide on how to maximize BOTOX results.
Follow Post-Procedure Recommendations
This should be an obvious tip, but most men and women are eager to get back to their normal routine and may disregard their dermatologist’s advice. It’s common to see people eager to resume vigorous activities and intense workouts too soon after their procedure.
According to Healthline, strenuous activity can get your heart pumping, which leads to increased blood flow. Increased blood flow could cause BOTOX to migrate away from the initial injection site and even result in temporary paralysis of the muscles. Additionally, high-impact exercises can cause facial strain, which may impact your results.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
You should always protect your skin from the sun, but that’s especially necessary after your BOTOX procedure. The sun emits harmful rays that damage the skin barrier and can affect the longevity of your procedure. You should use sunscreen after your BOTOX procedure and make it a daily routine.
If you get more screen time than you should, as most of us do, opt for a sunscreen with a blue light filter. A study published in the Journal of Biomedical Physics & Engineering found that exposure to blue light can lead to varying levels of damage to our skin. If you are not comfortable with sunscreen containing a blue light filter, try to reduce your daily screen time.
Avoid High-Intensity Workouts
Exercising and moving your body are great for your physical and mental health, but it may be time to ease up after your BOTOX procedure. While there is no evidence to show that moderate exercise influences your results, some people believe intense physical activity can speed up your metabolic rate and break down BOTOX faster.
You don’t have to skip your workout altogether but focus on light jogging and low-intensity movement for the first 2 days after your injections. After that waiting period, if you can’t live without your high-intensity workouts, consider decreasing the number of sessions per week.
Hydrate Your Skin
You should keep the water content of your skin high by hydrating your body, both from within and externally. The best way to hydrate your skin is to use a moisturizer that contains humectants and emollients. Choose skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid, retinol, or peptides to keep the skin hydrated and plump.
When your skin is hydrated, there is less chance for inflammation; inflammation can lead to a faster breakdown of protein, which may affect your BOTOX results. You can also use products containing vitamin C, which will protect your skin from free radicals and preserve skin tone.
Avoid Abrasive Skincare Products
Products that hydrate and protect your skin are important to maintaining your BOTOX results. However, make sure your skincare products do not have harsh chemicals or abrasive components such as beads. Using strong exfoliants to highlight and show off your new skin might be tempting, but abrasive materials can irritate your BOTOX-treated skin.
Once you receive a BOTOX injection, the BOTOX needs time to settle, and your skin needs time to heal. Disrupting the skin surface with harsh cleansers and exfoliants can cause the BOTOX treatment to migrate to other areas of the face. Be sure to wait at least a few hours to wash your face after a BOTOX treatment, and wait a few days before having a facial.
Manage Your Stress Levels
You might be surprised to learn that your stress levels might affect your BOTOX results! During times of prolonged stress, your body produces higher levels of cortisol. It is possible that elevated cortisol and stress levels can cause your skin to age more quickly and your body to break down BOTOX more rapidly.
Reduce stress by maintaining a balanced diet and trying techniques like meditation and yoga. If you are not comfortable with these techniques, taking a short walk or deep breathing exercises may help.
The recovery period after BOTOX is an exciting time, and you just want to show off your smoother, younger-looking face. Following these easy steps will help you get the most out of your procedure and potentially delay the need for an early touch-up treatment. If you are ready to start your BOTOX journey with our team, request a consultation or call us at (713) 791-9966 to schedule an appointment.
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