Cosmetic Injections: Caring For Your Face Before And After The Procedure

Aging is not always easy, in part because you might feel that you don't look as youthful as you once did. Cosmetic injections such as Botox treatments can transform your face so that wrinkles and lines aren't so noticeable, giving you a younger look. In some cases, bumps and bruises happen after the injections; luckily, you can avoid those imperfections by observing these pointers before and after the procedure:

Avoid Alcohol

If you enjoy a cocktail or nightcap the day before you get your injections, there's a chance that you'll end up with some bruising. That's because alcohol affects the body by interfering with the functionality of platelets, the components of your blood that are responsible for clotting. Skip the drinks for a few days before your injections to be safe.

Ask About Certain Medications

Just as alcohol does, certain medications can inhibit platelet function and make bruising more likely. Ibuprofen, aspirin and anti-clotting medications like Coumadin should be discussed with your dermatologist before your injections; the doctor may request that you stop non-essential medications for a number of days before the procedure.

Steer Yourself Away From the Gym

You may be trying to work on your overall appearance and find yourself in the gym as often as possible. However, if you have an appointment set for a cosmetic injection, make plans to exercise before the appointment but not for a day or two afterward. That's because when you exercise, you encourage strong blood flow and circulation throughout your body, including your face. Right after you have injections done, the platelets in the capillaries damaged by the injections are working to form clots so that the blood vessels can heal properly. Increased blood flow can interfere with this process, leading to bruises. Waiting a while to exercise will give your face a chance to heal properly.

Use Ice Packs

It's a good idea to soothe your face with ice packs after injections for a number of reasons. For one thing, ice packs will bring down swelling. Ice packs will also cause capillaries to restrict, which means the platelets can do their work more effectively. In addition, any minor pain you experience at injection sites can be handled by the soothing, cool feeling of the packs.

With these ideas, you can be more likely to experience all the benefits of your cosmetic injections instead of dealing with bruising or other problems. Ask your dermatologist about any questions you have.