Post-Op Instructions
BOTULINUM TOXIN POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTION
Please review and adhere to the following post-treatment guidelines after your botulinum toxin appointment. The following restrictions are in place to minimize the risk of any potential complications.
- Do not raise your body temperature for 4 hours following the treatment (no exercise, hot tubs, saunas, being out in the sun etc). It takes about 2-4 hours for the neurotoxin to bind to the nerve in order to start working and an increase in internal body temperature or sweating can make the neurotoxin treatment ineffective.
- Avoid touching or manipulating the treated areas for 4 hours. In addition, do not lie down within this timeframe. We want the neurotoxin to stay in the muscle that it was specifically placed to avoid poor outcomes like a dropped eyebrow or eyelid. This also includes no facials, chemical peels or massages after treatment.
- Avoid wearing hats, visors, headbands or anything or the head that has the potential to move the neurotoxin
- It will take about 24 hours for all the injection sites to heal. To avoid infection, avoid wearing makeup on the day of the treatment. The face can be washed like normal at night (at least 4 hours post-treatment).
- Neurotoxin treatments typically start to take effect around 2-10 days, but everyone is different. Please give the neurotoxin a full 2 weeks to take effect before deciding if you need more. Don’t love it or hate it for 2 weeks!
- Be sure to schedule a 2 week follow-up appointment so your injector can assess your results and perform any enhancements if needed. It is not recommended to inject beyond the 2 week post treatment period,, so please ensure you keep that appointment if you need enhancements
- Neurotoxin appointments should be scheduled every 3-4 months to maintain best results.
BOTULINUM TOXIN PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Please review and adhere to the following pre-treatment guidelines in preparation for your botulinum toxin appointment. The following restrictions are in place to minimize the risk for any potential complications
- Patient must be in good health with no active skin infections in the treatment area
- Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages at least 24 hours prior to treatment. Alcohol may thin the blood which will increase the risk of bruising.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory / blood thinning medications ideally, for a period of two (2) weeks before treatment and for a few days following treatment. Medications and supplements such as Aspirin, Vitamin E, Ginkgo Biloba, St. John’s Wort, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Vioxx, and other NSAIDS all cause thinning of the blood and can increase the risk of bruising/swelling after injections.
- Schedule botulinum toxin appointments at least 2-4 weeks prior to a special event to avoid having bruising on the day of your event.
DERMAL FILLER POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
- To prevent filler migration and ensure optimal results, avoid touching, massaging, or manipulating the treated areas for at least 24-48 hours. For lip fillers, avoid using straws, smoking, or excessive lip movement for 48 hours.
- To minimize bruising and bleeding, please avoid taking aspirin, Motrin, Ginkgo Biloba, garlic, flax oil, cod liver oil, vitamin A, vitamin E, or any other essential fatty acids for two weeks before and three days after your treatment.
- For a smoother recovery, please avoid alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before your treatment. This will help prevent blood thinning, which can lead to increased bruising and swelling.
- Avoid vigorous exercise and heat/sun exposure for 24 hours following dermal filler treatment.
- To minimize the risk of infection, please stop using retinol or prescription-strength face creams two days before and two days after your treatment. Additionally, please refrain from wearing makeup or lipstick until the following day.
- You may experience some bruising and swelling around the injected areas. To help reduce these side effects, consider taking Arnica tablets (5 pellets, 3 times a day) and applying ice for 10-15 minutes at a time.
- You must wait until your 2-week follow-up appointment before any enhancements. Do not love or hate your results for at least 2 weeks!
- Please contact the office immediately if you experience any excessive pain, swelling, blanching, redness, irritation, warmth, blisters, dark bruising, or any other unusual symptoms.
DERMAL FILLER PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
- Please inform Dr. Sharma if you are currently taking any antibiotics, immunosuppressants or blood thinning medications. These may need to be discontinued for at least 2 weeks prior to dermal filler treatment. Please ask Dr Sharma if you have any questions about this.
- Any vaccinations should be scheduled 2 weeks prior to or 2 weeks after the date of the filler placement.
- For your comfort and the best possible outcome, please reschedule your appointment if you have a cold sore, blemish, or rash. If you’re prone to cold sores, let us know. We can discuss preventive measures to avoid discomfort after treatment
- Please plan ahead for your dermal filler treatment. Schedule your appointment at least two weeks prior to any special events or travel plans. Avoid travel within 48 hours of treatment to minimize potential complications.
- To minimize bruising and bleeding, please avoid taking aspirin, Motrin, Ginkgo Biloba, garlic, flax oil, cod liver oil, vitamin A, vitamin E, or any other essential fatty acids for two weeks before and three days after your treatment.
- Please discontinue using retinols and prescription-strength face creams two days before and two days after your treatment.
- For a smoother recovery, please avoid alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before your treatment. This will help prevent blood thinning, which can lead to increased bruising and swelling.
- Please try to come to your appointment with a clean, make-up-free face.
