What To Know After Getting Botox Around The Eyes

Botox is one of the simplest and widely performed cosmetic treatments for correcting facial wrinkle problems on the forehead and around the eyes. What many people love about this cosmetic procedure is that it is a generally low-risk treatment and has little to no downtime after a Botox appointment. But like any other cosmetic treatment, there are reminders you should follow to get the best Botox results.

So what are the things you should avoid after getting Botox around the eyes? To limit complications from the injection, basic Botox aftercare includes not touching or rubbing the treated area, avoiding getting other facial treatments or massages, refraining from lying on your face, staying away from direct heat exposure, and avoiding blood-thinning medications.

FAQs About Botox Aftercare 

Botox is an injectable type of botulinum toxin that has long been used for anti-wrinkle and facial rejuvenation. As a non-surgical cosmetic option, a client can expect almost zero downtime after getting the injection and they can return to their normal activity immediately after their session.

However, there are factors that can affect the efficiency of the results of the botulinum toxin injections. Aside from making sure that you will receive the treatment from an experienced Botox injector, there are important aftercare tips that you should know to prevent complications and get the optimal outcome from Botox. 

For first-time clients and for those who are interested in Botox around the eyes, here are the common questions about post-treatment care and management:  

1. What things can I not do after Botox around the eyes? 

Botox is a powerful neurotoxin substance that weakens the facial muscle around the eyes to help smooth out the fine lines and creases that bother your overall appearance. One of the leading causes of bad Botox effects and complications is when the injected toxin spreads to unintended muscles. So to avoid that, here are some reminders you need to take note of after getting Botox:

• Do not touch or rub the treatment area - It’s important to let the toxin settle in your face without any hindrances. As a precaution, you should avoid touching or rubbing the site for at least 24 hours so that the toxin will not migrate to other areas of the face and eyes. With that said, you may need to hold off on other skin treatments and facial massage to avoid disturbing the toxin.
• Avoid wearing makeup and skincare products - You can wear makeup when going to the clinic for your session but your plastic surgeon may ask you to clean them off and sanitize the treatment area to prevent any infection. Then for 24 hours after the injection, you’ll be advised to go makeup-free and sport a natural look to avoid unintentionally massaging the muscles when putting on beauty and skincare products.
• Limit staying under the heat - Exposure to heat from the sun and devices like tanning beds and sauna rooms can widen blood vessels, potentially increasing blood flow to cause more bruising and swelling on the treatment site.
• Don’t take any blood thinner drugs - Blood thinners can increase the risk for bruising by regulating your body’s ability to form clots which can slow down your healing after the procedure. Aside from supplements, you should also avoid alcoholic drinks since they have blood-thinning properties.
• Do not sleep on your face - Sleeping with your face on the pillow can put unnecessary pressure on the treated area and affect the results of Botox. This can also increase the chances of the toxin moving to other parts of the face.
• Limit physical exercise - Any kind of strenuous activity after a Botox treatment may promote bruising and swelling. It can increase blood pressure in the muscle which may affect the diffusion and effectiveness of the Botox injection. It’s best to take things easy for at least 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
  

2. What are the best practices after Botox treatment? 

You can gently apply ice or cold compress on the treated site if needed to minimize the pain from the injection and reduce swelling and bruising. Topical creams like Arnica gel are also helpful in treating post-Botox swelling and preventing prolonged bruising. Just remember to put them carefully to avoid moving the toxin. 

Keeping an upright position can also help to relieve some of the pressure in the treatment area. As tempting as it is to rest in bed after the treatment, you should refrain from lying down at least 4 hours after the procedure. When sleeping at night, you can put extra pillows to elevate your head. This can also help prevent you from turning to the side and laying on your face. 

Drinking lots of water can keep your skin moisturized and enhance the effects of Botox on your face. If you’re dehydrated, there’s a chance that your skin will suffer and lose its elasticity which can prompt forehead wrinkle and lines to start appearing. You can also protect the skin around your eyes by using hydrating skincare products and wearing sunscreen products.

After Botox, you may also try facial exercises or movements like squinting or raising your brows. Gentle movements may help the injection to settle in faster in the intended facial muscles and produce better results.  

3. What are the possible side effects of a Botox procedure? 

Most of the side effects of Botox are minor and they typically resolve on their own within a few days. This can include mild pain, swelling, bruising, and redness at the injection site, temporary numbness, headaches, and flu-like symptoms.

When Botox around the eyes is improperly injected, it may affect the muscles that elevate the upper lids and cause eyelid droop. Droopy eyelid is a rare complication of Botox and can be avoided by going to a trusted surgeon. An allergic reaction is also possible but they are uncommon. You should get immediately treated by a doctor if you experience hives, itching, and difficulty breathing, and facial swelling.

4. Can I get dermal filler treatment after Botox? 

It is possible to complement Botox injections with dermal fillers. However, it is advised to wait at least two weeks before getting the hyaluronic acid fillers injected into the same area as the Botox was injected into. While Botox treats forehead lines and wrinkles by relaxing the muscles, dermal fillers can add facial volume to achieve a plump appearance. One common application of filler and Botox is for lip augmentation where a lip filler can be added to supplement Botox injections in the upper lip.

Using Botox Around The Eyes

Botox around the eyes helps to improve the appearance of dynamic wrinkles from repeated facial expressions like glabellar lines (vertical forehead wrinkle), frown lines, and Crow’s feet. Other uses of Botox can include treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, lazy eye, cervical dystonia, excessive sweating, overactive bladder, and migraines.

Usually, a Botox procedure takes no more than 15 minutes. It can take a few days for the injection to act on the targeted muscles. On average, the full effects of Botox treatment can be seen after two weeks. You can enjoy the wrinkle-free results around the eyes for at least 3 to 4 months. To maximize its benefits, you should follow the reminders for Botox aftercare.  

Quality Botox Cosmetic Treatments At Evolve Med Spa 

Cosmetic Botox is one of the favored treatment options for problematic wrinkles and lines around the eyes. To get the most out of the injections, it’s necessary to know how to take good post-Botox care of the skin and face. You should also only consult and receive injections from a Botox specialist like the experts at Evolve Med Spa.

Evolve Med Spa is a premier medical spa and a trusted destination for aesthetic treatments for the face and body. We guarantee the highest quality cosmetic services and provide a personalized touch to every treatment to ensure that it meets the client’s desires and needs. Contact us now for a consultation and start your journey to looking your best.