Botox is an injectable muscle relaxant that has several applications, including the reversal of certain aging signs and the treatment of several medical conditions. At Tru-Male Medical in Brook, IL, we offer this treatment to help our clients restore their youthful appearance and self-confidence. Today, we’re talking about how you should prepare for this treatment.
How Should You Prepare for Botox?
Stop Drinking Alcohol
It is very important to not consume alcohol in the 24 hours leading up to your scheduled injection session. There are several reasons why alcohol consumption should be avoided. For instance, alcohol can thin your blood and elevate your blood pressure. It is also important to avoid consuming anything else that can thin your blood in the 24 hours leading up to your appointment.
Stop Taking Blood-Thinning Drugs and Supplements
In the 24 hours leading up to your session, you should not take any drugs or supplements that can thin your blood. For example, you should not take blood-thinners, NSAIDs, MAOIs, fish oil supplements, garlic supplements, or vitamin E supplements. During your initial consultation, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of drugs and supplements that should be avoided.
Wear Sunscreen
It is also very important to take steps to prevent skin irritation at the time of your appointment. For instance, you should do your best to prevent sunburn at the time of your appointment by minimizing the amount of time you spend in direct sunlight and wearing sunscreen diligently. If your skin is irritated at the time of your appointment, you will have to reschedule it.
Stop Smoking
You should not smoke in the 24 hours leading up to your injection session because cigarettes and cigars contain nicotine. Nicotine elevates your blood pressure, and elevated blood pressure may affect your treatment.
Stop Taking Muscle Relaxants
As noted above, we will advise you on all of the medications you should stop taking in advance of your treatment. Besides drugs that can thin your blood, you should also stop taking muscle relaxants, certain sleep aids, and most allergy medications.
Start Your Morning With a Run or Pump Some Iron
You should refrain from exercising during the first five hours following your injections to give the medication a little time to start settling into the treated muscles. Therefore, you should get your workout in before your session.
Also, it is highly advisable to avoid vigorous exercise during the first 24 hours following your injections. If you feel like you can’t go a day without breaking a sweat, pump some iron or get in a solid cardio session before your appointment.
Wash Your Face
It is also advisable to wash your face before you come in for your appointment. Use warm water and a mild facial cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and lotion from your face before you come in for your appointment. Then, thoroughly rinse your face and pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Do not use a scratchy towel to scrub your face dry.
Relax
Men often worry about their first injection session. However, there is nothing to worry about. Over 500,000 men get Botox injections every year, and this injectable muscle relaxant has been FDA-approved since the 1970s. As long as you follow all preparation instructions, you’ll have a perfectly safe, pain-free injection session.
How Should You Care for Your Skin After Your Treatment?
Treat Your Skin Gently for a Few Days
During the first few days following your injection session, you should treat your skin gently. You may moisturize your face and wash it gently. However, you should hold off on any anti-aging treatments that may irritate your skin, such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels.
Don’t Smoke
Don’t smoke during the first few days following your treatment. If possible, stop smoking altogether. Nicotine doesn’t just elevate your blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels. It also accelerates the signs of aging.
Exercise the Treated Muscles
To see your results as quickly as possible, you should exercise the treated muscles. For instance, if you treat your forehead muscles, you should raise and lower your eyebrows 40 times. Then, rest for five minutes. Repeat this two more times. Then, continue performing three sets of 40 repetitions every four hours. Using the treated muscles will help the medication work its way into the muscles faster.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
It is very important to protect your skin from the sun during the first few days following your treatment. If you treat your forehead muscles, you should wear a brimmed hat or visor. If you use this injectable muscle relaxant to erase crow’s feet, wear sunglasses. You should also protect your skin from sun damage by wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Sleep On Your Back
Sleep on your back during the first few nights following your treatment. It is highly advisable to not apply too much pressure to the treated muscles; if you sleep on your stomach or side, so much pressure will be applied to the treated area that your results may be affected.
Where Can This Treatment Be Used?
Botox can be injected anywhere you are experiencing cosmetic concerns caused by overactive muscles. Here are some of the most common injection locations:
The Forehead
The forehead is one of the most common areas targeted for treatment because the muscles in the forehead are so strong and frequently used. Most often, the glabellar muscles are treated. The glabellar muscles are the muscles above your eyebrows that are used when you raise your eyebrows and frown. When these muscles are overactive to the point that they cause permanent forehead folds, you may look grumpier than you feel.
The Eyebrows
This injectable muscle relaxant can also be used to erase lines between the eyebrows and lift sagging eyebrows. Lifting sagging eyebrows will help you look happier, friendlier, and more alert.
Around the Eyes
Men also commonly seek Botox injections around the eyes to erase crow’s feet. This is such a popular treatment area for a couple of reasons. First, the skin around the eyes is very thin and prone to showing the underlying wrinkled muscles. Second, the muscles around the eyes are used almost constantly. Even if you don’t squint in the sunlight, you still blink several times per minute during most hours of the day.
Around the Nose
This injectable muscle relaxant can also be used to erase nasolabial folds caused by overactive muscles. Nasolabial folds are the deep folds that run from the corners of the nose to the mouth. They are caused when you blow your nose or scrunch your nose to stop a sneeze.
Around the Mouth
Nasolabial folds aren’t the only folds that develop around the mouth. People, including non-smokers, develop lines around the mouth called smoker’s lines. These lines may form when you smoke cigarettes and sip on straws.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
Dr. Robert Marshall, MD will advise you on whether you are a good candidate for this treatment during your initial consultation. Several steps must occur to determine whether you qualify for this treatment, including an assessment of your cosmetic concerns, a discussion of your medical history, and a review of your current health.
To qualify for this treatment, your cosmetic concerns must be caused by overactive muscles. Also, it is important that you do not have any allergies to any bovine proteins. Moreover, you may not qualify for this treatment if the following applies to you:
- Breathing disorder
- Bleeding disorder
- Infection at the injection site
- An invasive procedure fewer than six weeks before your appointment
- An invasive procedure within a week of your scheduled appointment
What to Expect From the Results
To qualify for this treatment, you must have realistic expectations about the results. Individual results vary, but you should understand you will start to see the results of treatment 24 to 48 hours after your injections. You should also understand that it may take seven to 10 days to see the final results of the treatment.
Learn How to Look Years Younger Today
If you’re ready to look years younger, Botox may be able to help. To prepare for this injectable muscle relaxant, you should stop smoking and drinking alcohol. You should also take steps to prevent skin irritation. To find out whether this treatment is right for you, contact us today at Tru-Male Medical in Brook, IL to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Robert Marshall, MD.
