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5 Tips to Make the Most Out of Botox® Treatments
Happy New Year from the team at Manhattan Dermatology! If you’re thinking about getting Botox® to treat the signs of aging this year, you’re not alone. Every year, over 3.6 million Americans get this noninvasive injectable.
While Botox effectively and safely erases wrinkles and gives you a youthful look, there are ways to enhance your results even more. Our board-certified providers in New York City want you to know how to make the most of your Botox treatments.
Getting to know Botox
Botox is an injectable neuromodulator that minimizes the look of wrinkles and fine lines. It does this by using a purified neurotoxin called botulinum toxin, which blocks the injected nerve from sending a signal to its associated muscle.
The benefit of blocking this signal is due to the way wrinkles form. As you age, wrinkles and lines develop in the spots where your facial muscles move your skin over and over. When the signal is blocked, your muscles don’t contract as much, leaving you with fewer lines.
At Manhattan Dermatology, we review your aesthetic goals and examine your skin, then inject Botox with a very thin needle into target spots in your face. The whole process takes about 10 minutes, and you’re able to get right back to most of your normal activities.
Making the most of Botox treatments
Getting Botox injections from a professional like one of our providers at Manhattan Dermatology is the only way to ensure great results. But you can make those results even better by following our top tips.
Seek anti-aging advice from a professional
Consulting with us before getting Botox allows us to fully understand your aesthetic goals. We may be able to recommend additional treatments to enhance your Botox results and help meet your goals.
For instance, if you’d like to treat deeper wrinkles, we may recommend laser treatment or fillers. Other aesthetic goals may be best treated by combining Botox with a chemical peel.
Follow a good skin care routine
Taking care of your skin after and between treatments does wonders for your results. Talk to us about a medical-grade moisturizer that promotes skin health with nutrients like vitamins A and C.
Make sure your moisturizer has an appropriate sun protection factor (SPF) in it or include sunscreen in your skin care routine. SPF protects your skin from drying out and from photoaging, both of which can age you prematurely.
And remember that what you eat and drink can affect your skin health and appearance. Keep your skin healthy by drinking plenty of water and eating a diet full of antioxidants and fresh, whole foods and veggies.
Be careful with your skin post-treatment
While you can continue with most normal activities after Botox treatments, we give you recommendations for certain activities to enhance your results.
Follow these recommendations to ensure your skin heals properly:
- Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, and hot yoga for 24 hours
- Don’t bend forward or lie with your head down for a few hours after treatment
- Avoid applying pressure, massaging, or rubbing the treated area(s)
Before stopping any regular medications, speak to your primary care doctor.
After your treatment, avoid blood-thinning medications and anticoagulant supplements, since they slow down blood cells that help stop bleeding and prevent bruising.
And watch out for over-the-counter products, like aspirin, NSAIDS (e.g., ibuprofen), and supplements like vitamin E, St. John’s wort, and ginkgo biloba, as they’re mild blood thinners.
Manage stress
Minimizing and managing stress in healthy ways helps you get the most out of your Botox treatments. That’s because stress increases the levels of cortisol in your body. This hormone thins your skin and makes the visible signs of aging even more noticeable.
Learn healthy stress management techniques too, like sleeping well, exercising regularly, meditating, and doing yoga, to help you relax and feel less stressed.
Schedule maintenance treatments
Botox is not a permanent solution for wrinkles, and results from your initial treatment will only last several months. Getting quick and easy maintenance treatments helps keep your results fresh.
Plus, regular Botox treatments reduce the formation of new wrinkles and fine lines, according to research. We recommend getting your maintenance appointment in before the results of your previous Botox treatment wear off, usually every 4-6 months.
If you’re ready to learn more about Botox and making the most out of your treatments, we’re here to help. Call one of our offices in Manhattan’s Murray Hill or Midtown East neighborhoods, or use our online booking tool.
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