Have you noticed lines and wrinkles on your forehead and between your brows? Botox® relaxes lines caused by facial expressions. This popular injectable treatment provides powerful anti-aging results. However, you should take a few precautions after treatment to ensure your Botox® stays in place.
What is Botox® (Botulinum Toxin)?
Botox® is an injectable treatment that uses botulinum toxin type A to smooth wrinkles. When used in tiny amounts, botulinum toxin safely and effectively treats many conditions, including excessive sweating and muscle spasms. Botox® primarily reduces wrinkles and fine lines on the face, particularly around the eyes, forehead, and between the brows.
How Does Botox® Work?
Injecting Botox® allows it to travel to the nerves that control your facial muscles. Signals from these nerves cause muscle contractions that crease and wrinkle your skin. Botulinum toxin temporarily stops the nerve from sending these signals. As a result, the muscles relax and allow the skin to become smooth. Despite the name, botulinum toxin causes no injury to the nerves or muscles, and its effects wear off over time.
How Long After Botox® Until I Can Workout?
After receiving Botox® injections, we recommend not working out for 24 hours. Exercise increases blood flow to the skin and muscles, and this could cause Botox® to spread outside the treatment area. Avoiding activity that makes you sweat or raises your heart rate will keep your Botox® where it belongs.
You should also wait at least four hours before sleeping or spending time with your head bent forward. Within about four hours, the Botox® has settled enough that you can resume most normal activities. You may notice some spots of bruising or redness that fades within a few days. Avoiding alcohol and medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can limit the possibility of bruises.
How Long Does Botox® Last?
Botox® results appear several days after treatment, and you can see full results after seven to ten days. Botox® typically lasts three to four months. People who have regular Botox® treatments often see their results last longer as the muscles become “trained” to relax and stop contracting. Each person’s body will metabolize botulinum toxin differently, so your results may last longer or fade more quickly than expected.
Am I a Good Candidate for Botox®?
Good candidates for Botox® want to address expression lines and wrinkles. Many people start Botox® in their 30s or 40s, depending on when they begin to notice expression lines that do not relax even when the face is at rest. However, Botox® is effective for people outside this age range and for most healthy adults. You should not have Botox® if you have certain neuromuscular conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a skin infection.
Take the Next Step
If you’d like to learn more about Botox®, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Scott A. Greenberg and his team at Winter Park Plastic Surgery & Laser Center in Winter Park, FL (serving the Central Florida area). (407) 644-3137
*Individual results may vary
