Neurotoxin injections, such as Botox and Dysport, are widely sought-after non-surgical treatments for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face.
However, you may still have some concerns about the post-procedure care and precautions. For example, you may wonder: How long after Botox can you lie down? Can you sleep or rest immediately after the injections?
This article will address these questions and more. It will also provide you with some helpful tips on how to look after your skin following Botox and what results you can expect.
Why You Should Avoid Lying Down After Botox
The main reason why you should avoid lying down after Botox is to prevent the injection from spreading to other areas of your face where it was not intended to go. Depending on what area was treated, this could cause unwanted side effects, such as:
- Droopy eyelids
- Asymmetrical eyebrows
- Crooked smile
- Difficulty swallowing
- Headache
- Bruising
- Swelling
These side effects are rare, but they can happen if the Botox migrates to the muscles that control your eyelids, eyebrows, mouth, or throat. This could happen if you bend over, rub your face, or apply pressure on the injection sites.
Laying down to sleep could also increase the chances of the Botox moving around, especially if you toss and turn in your sleep or sleep on your stomach or side.
How Long After Botox Can You Lay Down?
Most providers suggest that you should not lie down for at least four to six hours after getting Botox injections. This is based on caution and experience, rather than scientific evidence.
However, this does not mean that you have to stay awake for four to six hours after Botox. You can relax, watch TV, read a book, or do any other activity that does not involve bending over or putting pressure on your face.
How to Take Care of Your Skin After Botox
After getting a Botox treatment, you should follow these tips to make sure the result is optimal.
1. Apply ice
You may experience some swelling and discomfort around the injection sites. You can safely apply a cold compress on the treated areas to relieve discomfort and minimize swelling. However, don’t put pressure on the cold compress. Just gently lay it on the swelling.
2. Exercise your face
For 15 to 20 minutes after you receive Botox injections, exercise your facial muscles by frowning, squinting, smiling, and raising your eyebrows for 30 seconds. This helps the Botox solution infiltrate targeted muscles.
3. Sit up
Sit up for the first 4 hours after getting Botox. Bending or lying down might spread the injected product and promote bruising.
4. Consult your doctor about your medications
Some medications might increase your risk of bruising. Be sure to ask your doctor when it’s safe to start taking them again.
What else should you avoid after getting Botox?
There are also certain things you should avoid after your Botox injection treatment.
1. Avoid strenuous activity
Strenuous activity increases heart rate and blood flow. This could potentially spread the Botox to unintended areas and reduce its effectiveness at the injection site. It also increases the risk of bruising. Therefore, you should avoid any heavy exercise until the day after your treatment.
2. Go makeup-free
If you received a Botox injection in your face, take a break from makeup for the night, but you may go back to wearing makeup the next morning. There are small holes in the skin surface following injections, and applying makeup can introduce bacteria, increasing your risk of infection.
3. Avoid alcohol
You’ll be asked to avoid alcohol for 48 hours before and after the treatment. Alcohol can thin your blood and increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. It can also dehydrate your skin and make it more prone to irritation.
4. Avoid other cosmetic procedures
You should avoid any other cosmetic procedures on the affected area for 24 hours after Botox. This includes facials, massages, peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments. These procedures can irritate your skin and interfere with the Botox effect. They can also cause inflammation, infection, or scarring that can compromise your skin health and appearance. If you want to receive another treatment on the same day, talk to the clinic about scheduling the other services first.
5. Avoid sun exposure
You should avoid exposing the affected area to the sun for at least 48 hours after Botox. Sun exposure can cause inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging of your skin.
Conclusion
To ensure optimal results and avoid potential complications, you should follow some aftercare tips and precautions. One of them is to avoid lying down for at least 4 hours after getting Botox injections. This can prevent the injection from spreading to unintended areas and causing unwanted side effects.