PLANNING A
COSMETIC PROCEDURE?

BE PREPÆRED

Just like mental readiness, physical health and preparation plays a crucial role in achieving the best possible outcomes and smooth recovery. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to prepare your body for your cosmetic journey.

GETTING READY: INJECTABLES

Excited about your upcoming Botox or filler treatment? Great! Proper preparation can make a big difference in your results. In this section, we’ll share some easy tips to help you get ready for your injectable procedure, ensuring everything goes smoothly and you look your best. Let’s dive in!

GETTING READY: INJECTABLES

01

STAY HYDRATED

Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment. Hydrated skin is more resilient and responds better to treatments, leading to smoother and more natural-looking results. It also helps reduce bruising and swelling, supports faster recovery, and improves skin elasticity, enhancing the effectiveness and longevity of injectables.

02

AVOID BLOOD THINNERS

To minimise bruising, try to steer clear of blood-thinning meds like aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as supplements like fish oil and vitamin E. Blood thinners prevent your blood from clotting properly, leading to potentially more significant bleeding at the injection sites. Remember, always check with your doctor before stopping any medication.

03

SKIP ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE

Hold off on alcohol and caffeine 24-48 hours before your treatment. Both substances can dehydrate your body and increase the risk of bruising and swelling. Alcohol, in particular, can thin your blood, making you more prone to bruising and slowing down the healing process.

04

CLEAN FACE, HAPPY SKIN

Arrive with a clean face free of makeup, lotions, or creams to reduce the risk of infection. A clean face provides your practitioner with a clear view of your natural skin texture and any underlying features, allowing for more precise injections.

05

PLAN AHEAD

Schedule your treatment at least two weeks before any major events. This gives any potential swelling or bruising time to settle. If you're planning a holiday, it's best to wait at least 24-48 hours post-procedure before boarding a plane. Flying too soon can increase the risk of swelling and bruising due to changes in cabin pressure.

All injectable treatments require general care but there are some specific differences in aftercare for Botox and fillers. Read on to learn everything you need to know about treatment aftercare.

AVOID TOUCHING THE AREA

Refrain from touching, rubbing, or massaging the treated areas for at least 24 hours to prevent the injectable from spreading to unintended areas.

01

APPLY COLD COMPRESS

Use cold compresses or ice packs on the treated areas to reduce swelling and bruising. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth to prevent direct contact with the skin and apply for 10-15 minutes at a time.

02

AVOID STRENUOUS ACTIVITY

Skip intense workouts and heavy lifting for the first 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising.

03

KEEP YOURSELF COOL

Heat can increase swelling so it's important to steer clear of saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and excessively hot showers and baths for the first couple of days. Also stay away from direct sunlight and use a high-SPF sunscreen if you need to be outside.

04

LIMIT CAFFEINE & ALCOHOL

Try to limit your intake of caffeine and stay away from alcohol for the first 24 hours as they can increase the risk of bruising and swelling. Make sure you drink plenty of water to help your body heal and maintain the elasticity of your skin.

05

HOW DOES BOTOX WORK?

Botox works by temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for causing wrinkles and fine lines. It does this by blocking the nerve signals that tell these muscles to contract. When the muscles can’t contract, the skin smooths out, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

I. AVOID LYING DOWN

After receiving Botox injections, it's essential to stay upright for at least 4-6 hours. This helps the Botox settle into the targeted muscles and reduces the risk of it migrating to other areas, which can cause side effects like asymmetry. Avoid lying down, bending over, and strenuous activities during this period.

II. LET IT SETTLE

Some practitioners recommend gentle facial exercises, like frowning and raising eyebrows, within the first hour to help the Botox settle more effectively. However, you should avoid excessive movements to prevent the Botox from migrating to unintended areas. The general consensus is to keep any facial exercises gentle and brief and to follow the specific aftercare instructions provided by your practitioner, as they will tailor their advice based on the areas treated and your individual needs.

III. BE PATIENT

Unlike fillers, which typically provide instant results, Botox requires a bit more patience. You can start to see the effects of Botox within 3-5 days after the injection, but it usually takes about 1-2 weeks for the full results to become apparent. So, give your treatment time to work its magic and reveal the final outcome.

HOW DO FILLERS WORK?

Fillers work by adding volume and fullness to the skin, helping to smooth out wrinkles and enhance facial contours. They are typically made of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the skin, which attracts and retains moisture. When injected, fillers can plump up areas that have lost volume.

I. AVOID FIRM PRESSURE

After getting dermal fillers, it's important to avoid applying firm pressure to the treated areas for the first 24-48 hours to prevent the filler from shifting before it settles properly. Refrain from rubbing or massaging the treated areas and try to sleep on your back with your head elevated for the first couple of nights.

II. LIMIT OTHER FACIAL TREATMENTS

Avoid facial treatments like facials, massages, or chemical peels for at least two weeks. These treatments can mess with how the filler settles and might even cause it to shift, which could affect how your results turn out. Plus, your skin might be a bit sensitive right after the injections, so using other products or getting treatments could cause irritation.

III. MASSAGE AS INSTRUCTED

Your injector will give you clear instructions on how and when to massage the treated area. This step is key to preventing any lumps in the filler, but shouldn't be done too soon after the treatment-- you'll likely be told to give it a couple of days. Be sure to follow your practitioner's guidance closely; they know exactly what type of filler was used and the most suitable techniques for your specific treatment.

PREPÆRE

PLANNING A COSMETIC PROCEDURE?

GETTING READY: INJECTABLES

01

STAY HYDRATED

02

AVOID BLOOD THINNERS

03

SKIP ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE

04

CLEAN FACE, HAPPY SKIN

05

PLAN AHEAD

I. AVOID LYING DOWN

II. LET IT SETTLE

III. BE PATIENT

PREPÆRE

TM

PLANNING A
COSMETIC PROCEDURE?