Care Following Botox

Instructions

• There are no activity restrictions for this treatment.

Treated Area Care

• Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
• Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
• You may wear makeup with sunblock protection.
• Stay out of the sun until redness and bruising subsides (usually 48 hours).
• Patients should avoid aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, Advil, St. John's Wart or high doses of Vitamin E supplements, etc for 7 to 14 days prior to injection because these substances can cause increasing bruising or bleeding at the injection site.

What to Expect

• Temporary stinging, throbbing, burning sensation, redness, swelling, bruising, and excess fullness.
• Redness and bruising usually lasts about 48 hours.
• Patients notice a clinical effect between 5 days and 2 weeks following the injection.
• Some diffusion of the toxin occurs. This can cause circular areas of paresis, a partial loss of movement, with a radius of 1.5 cm and temporary weakness of nearby muscles.
• In rare cases, there can be a drooping of the eyelid or asymmetry of facial expression.
• The risk of any side effect depends on the muscles injected.
• The effects of Botox are completely reversible; any side effects are temporary, lasting only a few weeks.

Length of Benefits

• The benefits of Botox injections usually last 3-6 months and then resolve.

Follow-Up Care

• Follow-up appointment 2 weeks after treatment.
• No activity restrictions.
• No special treatment site care.
• Return visit every 3 months to maintain results.

When to Call

• If you have increased swelling or bruising.
• If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
• If you have severe or increased pain.
• If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
• If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.

For Medical Questions, Please Call:

• (734) 998-6022, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734) 936-6267 and ask for the Plastic Surgeon on call.