Neurotoxins
- Indications and Benefits:
- Neurotoxins (e.g., Botox, Jeuveau, Xeomin, Daxxify, etc.), are primarily used for cosmetic purposes, to address facial wrinkles and fine lines.
- Common cosmetic uses include: botox aftercare
- Glabellar Lines: Temporary improvement of moderate to severe glabellar lines, also known as frown lines or “11” lines, between the eyebrows. Neurotoxins can help smooth out these vertical lines and create a more soft and youthful appearance.
- Forehead Lines: Neurotoxins can be used to soften and reduce the appearance of forehead lines.
- Crow’s Feet: Neurotoxins are effective in treating crow’s feet, the fine lines and wrinkles that develop around the outer corners of the eyes. By relaxing the muscles around the eyes, neurotoxins can diminish the appearance of crow’s feet, and restore a lifted, youthful, smooth look around the eyes.
- Brow Lift: Neurotoxins can be strategically injected to create a subtle brow lift by relaxing specific muscles that pull the eyebrows down. This technique can help open up the eyes and create a more refreshed look.
- Bunny Lines: Bunny lines are the wrinkles that appear on the nose, that become specifically apparent when scrunching the nose or when smiling. Neurotoxin injections can target these lines to smooth out the skin and improve overall facial aesthetics.
- Dimpled Chin: By relaxing the mentalis muscle, neurotoxin injections can be utilized to reduce the appearance of a dimpled chin, and to smooth out any “cobblestone” or “orange peel” appearance that may be present in the chin region.
- Jawline Contouring: Neurotoxin injections can be utilized to refine and contour the jawline.
After Care – Neurotoxins
- Common Side Effects:
- Small amounts of redness and swelling is NORMAL – this will usually resolve within 10-15 minutes
- Mild headaches may occur after the treatment, this is a normal, but infrequent side effect
- Small, light bruises are the most common side effect of Botox, or other neurotoxin injections, especially in areas where there are a lot of blood vessels.
- Swelling is another common side effect. This can be reduced by taking Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and by lightly holding a cool compress or an ice pack on the injection site.
- What to Avoid:
- Do not lie down flat – Try to stay upright for 3-4 hours after being treated.
- Do not sleep on your face – Try to sleep in an upright position, for the first night, after being treated.
- Avoid certain substances. It is best to skip happy hour on treatment day! Avoid alcohol consumption, as well as use of NSAIDs (e.g., Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen), or use of herbal supplements that have blood-thinning properties (e.g., Garlic, Turmeric, and Vitamin E), as these can promote bruising.
- DO NOT massage the injected areas. Avoid massaging or rubbing your face for at least 24-48 hours after being treated.
- Do not wear anything tight on your head after being injected on your forehead (e.g., tight headband or hat).
- Do not expose your newly treated skin to excess sun exposure or heat – Avoid saunas, hot tubs, tanning beds, steam rooms, etc.
- Do not engage in strenuous exercise or physical activity for at least 24 hours after being treated.
- What to do for Best Results:
- Make frowny faces that cause your wrinkles to show for about 30 minutes on and off after your procedure. This will help the neurotoxin to absorb into the targeted muscle groups and can speed up the “final results” timeline by a day.
- Sleep in an elevated position the first night after receiving neurotoxin injections.
- Gently apply ice or cold compresses to injection sites to help mitigate swelling and bruising (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, etc.).
- Drink plenty of water to help mitigate swelling and promote healthy skin.
- Topically applying Arnica gel about every 4 hours can help minimize bruising and swelling after your treatment
- Use Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for any discomfort and avoid over-the-counter medications that thin the blood and can promote bruising.
- Gently washing the face is permitted, however, do not exert too much pressure on the injection sites. Make sure the water is at a mild temperature, not too hot or cold, and it is best to use a mild cleanser and a soft cloth to gently go over your face with the lightest touch possible.
