Botox treatment is common and safe for most people and can be used for cosmetic needs and treating some health complications. Botox comes from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and medical practitioners deliver it through an injection. Michael R. Macdonald M.D., a Botox specialist in San Francisco at Aesthetic Surgery Center, specializes in cosmetic and facial plastic surgery and recommends the treatment to manage cosmetic issues such as addressing lines and wrinkles on your face. Aftercare after Botox is critical to minimize complication risks and ensure you enjoy the maximum benefits of the treatment. Here is what you can do after treatment.

Avoid Touching the Injection Site

Botox is injected into a specific site depending on your needs, and the toxin needs to remain in the area to be more effective. Therefore, avoid massaging or rubbing the treatment area as it can migrate the toxin from the area. You can improve your treatment’s effectiveness by keeping your hands and fingers off the treatment area. Touch with care if you must touch the treatment area.

Be Cool

It would be great to allow the Botox to settle in the treatment area and prevent it from spreading to other areas. Please wait for at least four hours before lying down, doing exercises, or engaging in physical activity. Although many treatments are done fast and can be done over the lunch break, it would be necessary to take some time off work to have enough time to allow the drug to settle down.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol can cause fluid retention in your body, which may cause complications such as bruising after your Botox treatment. Therefore, it would be best to avoid drinking alcohol as much as possible after you get your injection. Consult your doctor for advice on limiting your consumption and understanding the duration you will have to avoid it. But remember that alcohol is generally detrimental to your health, and you should constantly check your consumption.

Apply Arnica

Most Botox providers can recommend the use of Arnica before the procedure to prevent bruising. If you had used the protective cream before your injection, it could also be advisable to use it after the treatment to minimize any chances of bruising. However, avoid applying the Arnica on an open wound or the injection site.

Wait at Least a Day to Get Other Procedures

While Botox can be recommended alongside other cosmetic procedures for maximum benefits, you should seek other treatments after 24 hours. This is to avoid further complications and prevent bruising from moving to other areas of your skin. If you are changing your provider, it would be good to notify the other medical practitioner that you had had a Botox procedure.

Be Careful with Blood Thinners

You can expect to experience some bruising after your Botox injection, and this can be worsened by taking blood thinners. Therefore, if you are under such medications as aspirin and warfarin, consult your doctor to understand if you should skip taking them and for how long. Follow your doctor’s advice carefully.

Watch for Side Effects

Botox injections require expertise as you might experience complications if not done appropriately. Therefore, take your time when seeking a provider and consider the experience and credentials. Watch out for any side effects you might experience following your Botox injection and report it to your doctor as soon as possible if they do not go away after a few days.

Book your Botox treatment consultation appointment today at Aesthetic Surgery Center to learn more about the procedure. Dr. Macdonald will help you understand if you are a good candidate for the treatment.