Recovering from Botox: What to Expect
Since Botox doesn't require surgery, there is virtually no recovery time. You'll want to follow some simple instructions during the first day after the procedure, and you should see results within ten days!
In comparison to other cosmetic procedures,
Botox injections provide minimal recovery time with great results. Since it's an injection of muscle-relaxing ingredients, your only "surgery site" is where the injection was placed. No anesthesia is used, and the typical patient is able to continue with his or her daily schedule right after treatment.
You'll want to bring an ice pack (your doctor may provide one), some ibuprofen, and some make up (foundation and concealer) to your appointment. Gently apply the ice pack to the injection site immediately following the procedure. This will help to prevent bruising and swelling, as well as provide relief from any soreness you may have after the procedure is done.
You may be able to take an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen right before your appointment in order to minimize any pain or discomfort at the injection site. Be sure to check with your doctor and see what he or she recommends before you take the medication.
If you have any redness immediately following your Botox treatment, you can gently dab some concealer or foundation on the area. Avoid rubbing the area though, since this could cause the medication to spread and affect muscles that aren't intended to be relaxed. Once you've applied the make-up, you can return to work and your colleagues probably won't even notice the redness!
Once your procedure is complete, you'll need to avoid certain activities for up to a day in order to prevent the medication from spreading into muscles that are not intended to be affected. First, don't allow yourself to massage or rub your injection site. It's a tempting thing to do, since you'll probably experience some soreness. But avoid it at all costs! You don't want the medication to be rubbed into parts of your muscles that shouldn't be numbed.
Plan to avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours after the procedure. You will probably feel up to following your regular exercise routine, but again, this can cause the medication to spread to areas of your muscles that aren't intended to be affected by the Botox.
Finally, don't lie down for three to four hours following your injection. Plan to do your grocery shopping, return to work, or go home and cook dinner. Just don't plan on taking a nap until the medication has had time to settle.
As with any medical procedure, you should bring any questions you may have to your doctor before beginning the injections. For example, you may want to ask your doctor about any facial exercises that you should perform to test the medication's effectiveness. You might also ask your doctor if there are any lotions, soaps, or make-up products that you should avoid during your recovery time.
