Botox injections in Singapore can only be performed by a trained licensed medical professional. They should also be well-verse on the side effects of this treatment and able to advise on aftercare so your recovery goes smoothly.
Botox aftercare is divided into instructions, which should be followed well, and into aftercare precautions which are not hard and fast rules but merely suggestions that we encourage you to follow. Read on to find out more about what those aftercare instructions and precautions are!
Botox Aftercare Instructions
Returning To Your Normal Activities
Botox has minimal downtime, and you are often able to return to your normal daily activities right after. There are some activities you may want to avoid, such as walking around in the hot sun, going for a facial, or lying face down on a surface.
Wait For 24 Hours Before Exercising
Avoiding strenuous exercises is recommended as a Botox aftercare precaution for several reasons. Firstly, exercise dilates the blood vessels and can cause further redness and irritation over the injection sites. Sweat is also slightly acidic and can cause discomfort if the tiny wound sites have not fully closed yet, as well as the possible introduction of oil and bacteria into those areas. Repeated movements of the head can also cause Botox diffusion away from the initial injection site, temporarily causing weakness in the surrounding muscles.
Go Makeup-Free
It is preferable to wait 4 to 6 hours (and up to 24 hours if possible) before applying makeup to your face after your Botox treatment in Singapore. This ensures enough time for the tiny puncture wounds over the injection sites to close up. If makeup is applied immediately to the skin after Botox is done, there is a chance for bacteria to enter those injection sites and create unwanted pimples or increased skin redness.
Sit Up – Stay Upright!
One thing to remember is that the muscles in our body and face do not exist alone and they often overlap with each other. This is because movements require a mix of muscles to occur – there are 46 muscles in the face to create a multitude of facial expressions! – and a simple movement like lifting up the corners of your mouth to smile can require at least 10 muscles. One risk that can occur is the movement of the product to other surrounding or overlapping muscles and affect them instead! Hence, we recommend that you continue to sit upright and avoid applying pressure to your treatment areas by resting your face on your hands or other surfaces for at least 4 hours after your Botox injections. While there are no definitive studies shown about this happening, you might want to err on the side of caution and avoid it.
Ask Your Doctor About Medications
One thing to remember is that the muscles in our body and face do not exist alone and they often overlap with each other. This is because movements require a mix of muscles to occur – there are 46 muscles in the face to create a multitude of facial expressions! – and a simple movement like lifting up the corners of your mouth to smile can require at least 10 muscles. One risk that can occur is the movement of the product to other surrounding or overlapping muscles and affect them instead! Hence, we recommend that you continue to sit upright and avoid applying pressure to your treatment areas by resting your face on your hands or other surfaces for at least 4 hours after your Botox injections. While there are no definitive studies shown about this happening, you might want to err on the side of caution and avoid it.
Botox Aftercare Precautions
Don’t Drink Alcohol
Alcohol acts as a vasodilator, a substance which increases the diameter of your blood vessels and subsequently, blood flow. Drinking alcohol increases the flow of blood to your face – think of the infamous ‘Asian flush’ – which means that it also increases the risk of swelling or bruising around the Botox sites. Some alcohols have a higher histamine content, such as red wines, which also contributes to this. As a precaution, we advise you to avoid alcohol for 24 hours after your Botox injection in Singapore.
Don’t Touch Your Face
For similar reasons to avoiding wearing makeup in the initial 4 to 6 hours up to 24 hours after your Botox procedure, another good precaution is to avoid touching your face. Since we use our hands for many things, like typing at our keyboards or sending out messages on our mobiles, we can very easily introduce bacteria to our face.
Avoid Other Skin Treatments
Botox should generally be scheduled as a standalone treatment on that day itself without other treatments booked in. Treatments such as facials where there is a form of applied pressure to the facial regions should definitely be avoided to prevent migration of the Botox to other facial areas. Laser treatments should also be scheduled two weeks before or after Botox procedures to allow the skin tissues to fully heal to reap the maximal benefits of both individual treatments.
Don’t Sleep On The Treated Areas
For our side sleepers, it might not be enough to book in your Botox treatment in Singapore early in the morning so that you don’t have to force yourself to sleep on your back at night if you get them in the late evening! Although lying down after the first 4 hours of your Botox injections is allowed, another precaution is to sleep on your back for 48 hours after to prevent pressure to the treatment areas and dose migration.
Stay Out Of The Sun
Sun exposure does not affect your Botox treatment. However, a good precaution if you have to go out in the sun is to wear adequate SPF and use an umbrella or a hat!
When To See A Doctor
See your doctor if you are experiencing side effects which last longer than 48 hours or suddenly become severe, such as discomfort or pain, muscle weakness, or a rash over the treatment areas. Very rarely, an individual may have an allergic reaction and have problems with breathing or swallowing after a Botox injection in Singapore, which requires immediate medical attention. At SL Aesthetic Clinic, our medical professionals are trained to assess your health history to determine if you are suitable for Botox injections. Contact us today for a consultation at one of our clinics nationwide today!