One of the best-known medications for improving the appearance of wrinkles is BOTOX®. Like Juvederm®, Radiesse®, and Belotero®, it is administered to patients by a cosmetic service center.
Botox works by blocking chemical signals from nerves that triggers muscles to contract. In essence, it paralyzes the muscles temporarily using botulinum toxin, which is derived from food poisoning. The toxin can help smooth, reduce or eliminate, crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead creases, and neck bands and wrinkles,
Before getting your BOTOX® injection from your New Jersey cosmetic service center, it is helpful to know how to prepare and what to expect from your Botox injections.
How to Prepare for Botox Injections
Prior to receiving your injection, your South Jersey doctor will ask you to refrain from taking certain medications for 10 days prior to your procedures. These medications include:
- ibuprofen
- Vitamin E
- aspirin
By discontinuing these medications, you decrease your likelihood of bruising following your procedure.
You should tell your doctor if you are taking any blood thinners, such as plavix, coumadin, and plavix. If so, you may be asked to discontinue these medications for several days before your procedure in order to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Botox Injections Before a Major Event
Many people want to have their Botox injection prior to a social event, such as a wedding, anniversary party, or vacation. However, we recommend planning your Botox injections two to four weeks prior to your social event. While most patients do not experience side effects, such as eyelid drooping or bruising, it is a rare occurrence that happens from time-to-time to some patients.
What to Expect from Botox Injections
You can expect to resume your regular daily routine and activities immediately following your procedure, with the exception of exercise. Delay exercise until the following morning.
It is important that you do not massage or rub the area that was treated or the injection site. Rubbing or massaging can cause the toxin to move into another unintended area.
Patients receiving a Botox injection are asked to contract the treated muscles for one hour following the procedure. Depending on what you had treated, this may include:
- smiling
- raising your eyebrows
- frowning
- puckering
If you have slight bruising or swelling, applying cool compresses can help.
Most patients can expect to see results in three to ten days. For deep-set wrinkles, patients may have to have a follow-up injection to achieve optimal results.
Now that you know how to prepare and what to expect from Botox injections, call your Vein & Vascular Institute New Jersey doctor at 856-309-9777 or complete our online form.