How Do You Maintain Your Botox Results?

Botox is the most popular cosmetic treatment because it can effectively and reliably remove the fine lines and wrinkles that appear in your face as a result of aging. The simple, minimally invasive method doesn’t require you to stay in a hospital overnight or take time off work, so it’s suitable for the majority of patients. Here at Still Waters Day & Medical Spa in Pensacola, FL, our highly qualified practitioners can get you the best Botox results possible.

But what can you do to make sure your body reacts well to treatment? How often you need to come to the clinic will depend on how well you take care of your face in the meantime, so there are several things you should do. In addition to protecting your skin from the sun, you should avoid any harmful substances, lead a healthy lifestyle, and take some aftercare steps. Let’s explore how you can make the most of your sessions with us.

Maintaining Your Botox Results

When you come to the clinic for a Botox session, you won’t see your results immediately, but you may start to notice changes to your facial area as soon as 3 to 4 days after your visit. These will continue to grow until around two weeks after treatment, at which point you should see the final results. If it’s your first session, you might have to come back to the clinic after 2-3 months to get treatment again.

However, over time, many of our patients notice that their Botox injections start to last longer and longer. Although most come to the clinic every 3-5 months, some can go up to half a year between treatments. This might be partly because of their individual situation and the condition of their skin, but there are certain things that everyone can do to make sure they get the most long-lasting results possible.

Choose an Experienced Practitioner

Before getting treated, the most important thing to do is find a clinic with a highly competent practitioner. Like other injectables, Botox in Pensacola is very technique-sensitive, which means that it can go wrong if performed by someone unqualified. Check out the practitioners’ biographies on the clinic’s website prior to booking your appointment, so you don’t end up being treated by someone who doesn’t have the necessary level of skill.

Here at the clinic, Dr. Kotlarz has over 20 years of experience in the medical field, and he has selected an extremely competent team to work with him. We always take great care to perform the injections not only in the correct way, but also exactly according to our patients’ wishes. No matter what kind of result you’re looking for, we can assist you in achieving it.

Prepare for Your Session

At your initial consultation, we might give you some instructions that can help you to prepare for your session. For example, we will ask you about what medications and supplements you’re currently taking and advise you to temporarily stop any substances that can thin your blood. This is for your own safety but also to ensure that the results look great from the start.

In addition to blood-thinning medication, you also won’t be able to drink any alcohol for 24 hours before treatment. If it’s your first appointment, we suggest that you relax the night before and wash your skin thoroughly prior to coming to the clinic. You shouldn’t be wearing any makeup during your appointment.

Move the Muscles After Treatment

Straight after your session, you should engage your facial muscles and move your face around in order to speed up your Botox results. Some studies have shown that doing so can make the treatment work much faster, so you might be able to see a difference 24 hours earlier than you otherwise would. It also helps to distribute the Botox evenly. Your practitioner can tell you more about this and demonstrate what kinds of exercises you should be doing.

Be Gentle with Your Face

Although engaging and moving the muscles is good, you shouldn’t put pressure on your face from the outside. This means that you need to avoid rubbing or exfoliating the skin for a few days, as it could cause migration of the Botox substance. When this happens, your results may not look as you expected, and you’ll need to come back to the clinic to have them corrected.

Harsh treatments such as chemical peels are also discouraged, so it’s best to leave your skin alone for at least two days after your session. Once your Botox has set and you are happy with your results, you can then come back to the clinic to have other treatments done.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

When it comes to actions that age your skin faster, exposing it to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time is at the top of the list. If you want great Botox results that last for a long time, you should avoid anything that can speed up the aging process, which includes UV rays. For a few days after treatment, you should be especially careful and stay out of the sun whenever possible, but you’ll also need to protect yourself in the long term.

Fortunately, we have many options available to us, and protecting yourself doesn’t mean never going to sunny places again. Instead, you should apply a strong sunscreen with an SPF of around 50. Sunbathing is not recommended, so stay in the shade when you’re sitting down for long periods of time.

Avoid Damaging Substances

Certain substances can damage your skin almost as much as sunlight, so if you’re looking for the best results possible from your Botox treatment, you should avoid them. For example, excessive alcohol consumption can dry out your skin. People who drink a lot on a regular basis often struggle with dehydration, which causes skin to become dry and flaky, develop more wrinkles, and droop more visibly.

Similarly, smoking can harm the look and feel of your facial skin, particularly in the area around your mouth. You frequently engage certain muscles when you smoke, which makes the lines appear much faster than in non-smokers. Beyond that, nicotine can delay the body’s natural healing process, so your skin will appear older, and any injuries you have will last much longer. For these reasons, it’s best for your skin to quit smoking and drink responsibly.

Lead a Healthy Lifestyle

You’re already on your way to living a healthy lifestyle if you’re a non-smoker and don’t drink heavily. However, there’s more you can do in order to protect your body from the damaging effects of aging. Eating certain foods like antioxidants can help your body to expel toxic substances and maintain its youthful, healthy appearance. Try to incorporate lots of protein, fruit, and vegetables into your diet to make sure you get all the vitamins and minerals your skin needs.

Exercise is another vital part of living healthily, and the current recommendation is around three hours of moderate activity per week. Try to find a class or routine that you enjoy, so it will be easy to stick to in the long run.

Stay Consistent

Botox is all about consistency, and you will need to come to the clinic on a regular basis if you want to keep your face looking fresh and youthful. Even if you maintain your skin and body very well, you’ll need to have treatment every 3-6 months. The longer you wait, the more we might have to correct, so you can keep your treatment hassle-free by attending your regular appointments. When you come to see us, we will help you to develop a suitable treatment plan.

Get Rid of Frown Lines Now

If you’re looking to combat the signs of aging and regain your smooth, even features, Botox might be the ideal treatment for you. Not only is it highly effective, but it’s also quick, so that you don’t have to spend a lot of time in the clinic. In order to make the most of your appointments, you should follow the preparation and aftercare instructions we give you. In particular, avoiding direct sunlight and damaging substances can make a difference.

You can also get your results to last longer if you lead a healthy lifestyle, as this can make your body resistant to the aging process. Get in touch with us at Still Waters Day & Medical Spa in Pensacola, FL to book your initial appointment and find out whether this is the best course of treatment for you. When you come to see us for the first time, we can tell you all you need to know about what Botox results to expect and how to make your treatment last longer.