6 Important Things to Know Before Your Botox Appointment

Hi! I’m 44 years old, a mother to three, and why, yes, yes I do get Botox. And often! Lord help me, but I love it. One of my strengths (kryptonite?!!) is that I’m very candid and forthcoming about things most people keep private. And getting Botox is one of those things (my lack of embarrassment is your gain?!!?!)

Over the years I’ve shared my experience with my Botox Before & After Filler, Kybella treatment, and have recently shared all the 411 on the most important things you should know about getting Botox!

A lot of my friends call me before their first time getting Botox (warning: you’ll be addicted!) so I started working on blog posts with all the tips and tricks. Let’s dive into the important things you need to know about what to do BEFORE you get your Botox!

This is the blah-blah-blah portion of the post, but some of you may not know. Getting Botox injections is a popular cosmetic procedure that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

The active ingredient in Botox is botulinum toxin, a type of toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, which causes muscle paralysis. The effects of the injections usually last three to four months and can sometimes be combined with other cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers or chemical peels for better aesthetic results.

Botox blocks certain chemical signals from nerves, mostly those that cause muscles to contract. The most common use of these injections is to temporarily relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes.

Common reasons to get Botox are the treatment of wrinkles around forehead, eye area, for migraines or even to relieve pain from teeth grinding!

Always see a Board Certified injector. This is your face. Now is not the time to save on dollars of find just anyone to put a needle in your face!

If you live in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend Dr. Carmen Kavali and her entire team at Monarch Plastic Surgery. I’ve been going to this office for years. Dr. Kavali is actually an Allergan educator. Allergan sells Botox, Juvederm, Kybella, CoolSculpting and more. They use Dr. K to train doctors and injectable administrators all over the country – so her office knows what they are doing!

Contact Monarch Plastic Surgery!

If you’re considering a Botox treatment, it might be beneficial to have a facial beforehand. Facials are great for removing any impurities from the skin and refreshing your complexion before injecting any cosmetic fillers. Most visits are completed in an hour or less and won’t require you to wait 24 hours before receiving the Botox treatment.

What you shouldn’t do is get a botox after getting Botox. This is because once you get the treatment, you need to avoid laying down for several hours (RELATED: What to do/not do AFTER getting Botox.)

Now, laser treatments and chemical peels are a different story than a standard facial. Personally, no matter if anyone told me it was ok to do so, I wouldn’t combine these on the same day. I have sensitive skin so the last thing I want to do is to throw a lot at my delicate skin in one day.

Generally speaking, if you are getting a lighter facial peel on the same day as your Botox it can be considered. However, if you’re considering a deeper chemical peel to treat skin imperfections and even out texture and tone of your skin then this should be scheduled several days after getting Botox to minimize risk of irritation.

Talk to your doctor about laser therapy. There are a lot of different types of laser, so your doctor is best to answer whether it’s ok to use Botox in conjunction with that particular laser. Personally, I wouldn’t do laser treatment before a Botox appointment, but that’s me knowing that I have super sensitive skin!

It’s important to remember that just because something is possible doesn’t mean that it’s the best option for everyone. Before undergoing any type of cosmetic procedure you should always consult with your doctor about what will work best for you! Always take time to research and ask questions before committing to anything. Remember, when in doubt… don’t do it!

OK, here is another time I’m going to give you two answers. The first being the official, the second being what I personally do. Maybe this is a good time to say “Do what I say, not as I do!”

When looking to get the most out of your Botox treatment, it is important to remember that timing is everything. While many people think that a drink can relax them before a procedure, when it comes to Botox it is best to abstain from alcohol for at least one week prior. This helps to ensure the best results possible, as partaking in alcoholic consumption beforehand could lead to drying of the skin, some unwanted swelling and bruising, and the masking of symptoms associated with the effects of Botox.

Do I refrain for an entire week? No. I’m not a big drinker though. But I don’t hold to a hard and fast rule of 7-full days. However, a big week of drinking for me is maybe 3 glasses of wine in total, and not all in one night. So maybe my answer is similar to the real one – I don’t really drink before getting Botox except for the occassional glass of wine!

Related Posts:

• 17 Important Tips about Getting Botox
• What to Do AFTER Getting Botox
• Kybella: Did it Work for Me?

Wondering can I wear makeup to my botox appointment? Yes, you can wear makeup before getting Botox. However, your injector will remove it prior to addressing the agreed upon treated area.

It’s a good idea to remove your makeup before the treated area is injected, as it helps make sure that the injection site is clean and free from oils. This will help reduce any potential post-injection redness and swelling that could occur.

If you’re going to your appointment from work, then by all means, wear makeup. But if you’re going from home, then you may as well take it off before you go so you have a fresh and clean face.

OK, I’m going to give you two answers. The first being the official, what is best to do answer from a doctor. The second being what I personally have done for the nearly ten years I’ve gotten Botox!

Let’s start out with the official answer:

The medical recommendation is to stay away from caffeine 24 hours before and after getting Botox. Caffeine can trigger your blood pressure, and increase the likelihood of bruising during the procedure. So it’s best to avoid coffee and all other caffeinated beverages in order to get the most out of your treatment.

Now for my personal answer: I’m a die-hard coffee drinker (and have been since I was about 12 months old! 😂) who literally wakes up everyday wanting (needing?!!) that morning cup of joe! So yes, I do continue drinking my daily dose of coffee even before going in for my appointment. However, if you decide to follow suit and drink coffee before Botox, make sure you’re careful not to drink too much – for a myriad of health reasons, not just for Botox.

Yes, you can exercise before Botox as long as it is at least a few hours before your treatment. Be sure to avoid any strenuous exercise afterwards, though, because an elevated heart rate and pressure on your injection site could cause issues with your results.

Yes, you can take Tylenol before getting Botox injections. In fact, Tylenol is the recommended treatment to treat any potential discomfort before or after the injection.

It is important to note, however, that you should not take ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) for 24 hours prior to your appointment as this may cause an increase in bleeding or bruising at the injection site.

Ibuprofen meds are not blood thinners but similar to other NSAIDs, it can have a mild effect on the normal blood clotting process. So if you’re taking ibuprofen for any sort of pain relief or inflammation before getting Botox, consider switching to Tylenol 12 hours before your appointment.

So if you plan on taking something for pain relief before Botox, stick with Tylenol!

When it comes to pre-Botox treatments, timing and preparation are key. Remember that abstaining from alcohol for around one week before the procedure helps with the results. Additionally, while you can wear makeup prior to your appointment, make sure you remove it beforehand in order to reduce any post-injection redness and swelling. Lastly, Tylenol is a safe option when looking for pain relief; however ibuprofen should be avoided due to potential bleeding or bruising at the injection site.

You’re going to love it – I’m thrilled for you! Thank goodness for coffee, my dogs, and Botox (not in that order!)