Cosmetic procedures are becoming more popular and easily accessible to address certain concerns we have with our skin.
Although there are countless procedures that have become available to target and treat our unique and specific concerns, the proper ways to care for the skin before and after your treatment can require just as much attention to ensure we see the results we are looking for.
Each cosmetic procedure will have its own set of dos and don’ts for proper treatment care, especially when the procedures look to address targeted areas of the skin, like Botox.
Botox treatments are a widely used cosmetic procedure that can be suitable for a wide range of clients with varying skin types and textures. It works to help eliminate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and to leave skin with a smooth, even complexion.
As Botox is not a permanent procedure and requires touch-ups every few months, mastering how to care for your skin before and after your treatment will make sure the results look (and last) the best they can.
As it is a quick procedure that requires little downtime for recovery, you are typically able to resume your daily routine activities after a Botox appointment, and that may include wanting to wear makeup to complete the rest of your tasks.
However, what do you need to know about wearing makeup after your Botox appointment? One of the few things to avoid directly after your appointment is wearing makeup for at least one to two days. As the skin needs time to heal properly, you want to steer clear of rubbing the face or adding makeup products that can irritate the skin or cause a potential infection.
Below we’ll discuss how to incorporate wearing makeup after your Botox appointment, as well as in-depth information on the dos and don’ts of post-Botox treatment overall.
What Is Botox?
Having a treatment done with Botox is a cosmetic procedure that helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while restricting muscle movement in the targeted area.
Typically injected into the face, the muscles are restricted from contracting as normal in order to allow for a smooth canvas, with wrinkles and lines appearing less severe and more relaxed.
A Botox treatment is not a permanent procedure, but will last typically anywhere between 3-6 months before needing another appointment.
Although the beauty treatment itself is often referred to as “Botox,” it is important to note that is the specific brand name. Botox uses a specific substance, Clostridium botulinum, to make up the injection that will deliver the results.
However, there are other brands on the market that are frequently used which do the same treatment and deliver the same results as Botox.
The various brands all use slightly different substances to make up their injections, and you may find that one particular brand gives you better results, or that the results last for a slightly longer time.
Determining which treatment brand works best for you is based on your specific needs and what your body responds to the best. However, the results will be similar and require the same methods of preparation and aftercare to ensure the best results.
A Botox treatment can be administered in many areas, but it is commonly used in areas of the face to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is used often on the forehead, crows’ feet, and the “elevens” in between the eyebrows, among other areas.
The effects of Botox do last for several months, but it will take a few days up to one week before the results start to present themselves. There are a few factors that contribute to the length of time it takes the Botox results to begin to show.
Generally, the results will start to be noticed within four days post-appointment, and can take up to two weeks to show the results completely. The location of the targeted area and the amount of Botox being used can contribute to how soon the effects will begin to take place.
While the effects of Botox can generally last at least three months, the amount of Botox injected into the targeted area will also determine how long the results can last. However, frequent touch-ups every three months or so are recommended to maintain the desired results.
Can You Wear Makeup After Botox?
Much like any cosmetic treatment, there are certain guidelines that should be followed after your procedure to ensure you receive the best results from your Botox appointment.
Knowing when it is appropriate to apply makeup again post-treatment is an important guideline to adhere to in order to prevent any potential negative side effects.
While you can wear makeup after your Botox appointment, it should not be applied immediately or very soon after your treatment to avoid any potential irritation or infection.
It is best to wait at least 24 hours before applying makeup after a Botox appointment. It is also recommended to be sure the injection site of the Botox needle has healed properly and completely.
Overall, it is best to avoid touching the face, as tempting as it may be, for several hours after the Botox treatment in general — this includes wearing or applying makeup.
Side Effects Of Wearing Makeup After Botox
Along with the general potential side effects of Botox, there are also potential negative side effects that can occur if you apply makeup too soon after your treatment appointment.
One of the main side effects is spreading the Botox around, dispersing the ingredient from the location it is meant to target. There are a few ways that Botox can disperse before it is settled in a specific area, but touching the face is one of those instances.
When rubbing your face, the injected Botox can spread around, and it will lessen the efficacy of the treatment in the area it is meant to target. As makeup requires one to touch and press onto their skin throughout the application process, there is the potential to have the Botox move around as well.
Along with potentially dispersing the Botox away from the injection area, if the injection site is not healed completely before applying makeup, it could potentially lead to skin irritation or infection.
As makeup is often applied with tools such as brushes, sponges, or even our fingers, there is the potential for bacteria to create a negative skin infection if applied to the skin before it has a chance to heal properly.
There are some general side effects of Botox that may occur, regardless of skipping makeup immediately after the appointment. Commonly after a Botox appointment, you may notice some bruising of the injection area. There may also be some swelling or redness present, after your appointment.
To help reduce the likeliness of bruising, stay away from alcohol, aspirin, or ibuprofen as they are all blood thinners and can cause an increase in bruising. The bruising will last for several days, but will begin to fade — after a day or two has passed from your appointment, they will be able to be covered with makeup.
Another common side effect is soreness of the injection site, or you may experience itchiness. These are mild, short-term side effects that should fade over the following days as the injection site begins to heal.
Best Methods For Makeup After Botox
The best method to apply makeup after you have had a Botox appointment is to wait at least one full day before applying any type of cosmetics. Aside from soothingly washing your face at the end of the day, you should avoid touching your face for at least a minimum of 4-6 hours after your treatment.
Make sure the injection site has healed properly over the days following your appointment, and apply any makeup onto the skin gently.
As mentioned above, makeup brushes and sponges can harbor bacteria that can then be transferred onto the face. As a tip, it is important to make sure your makeup tools are deeply cleaned often, with the ideal timing being at least once a week, to prevent any irritation or infection from potentially occurring.
This is especially important after a Botox treatment, where your skin’s sensitivity can be heightened — you want to ensure the tools that you are using to apply makeup onto the face are clean and sanitized.
Makeup application also comes with general rubbing or pressure applied to the face. Although the Botox will settle in the day after the initial appointment, you still want to use gentle pressure when applying makeup or skincare products onto the skin.
Not only do you want to avoid any unnecessary tugging that could harm the skin, but you also want to avoid the potential of dispersing the Botox away from the intended area.
Makeup Before Botox
Now that the recommended guideline for makeup after your Botox appointment has been identified, there is also the matter of wearing makeup before your treatment, too.
While you can wear makeup before your Botox appointment, showing up to your appointment with a cleansed, bare face is the ideal option. It is important that the skin and potential injection site(s) are clean of any dirt, oil, or makeup, so starting out with an already blank canvas is a great start.
Whether you wear makeup to your appointment or come with a bare face, your doctor will still ensure the area is fully cleansed and sanitized. Before the appointment starts, they will clean the skin and wipe the area with rubbing alcohol and an antiseptic.
Keeping the targeted area clean of any unwanted traces helps to prevent any negative side effects during the appointment and allows for a sterile injection site.
Other Dos and Don’ts of Botox
As mentioned above, there are other important factors to incorporate into your routine following your Botox appointment.
Along with not applying makeup immediately after your treatment, working out should also be avoided for at least 24 hours after your appointment.
Similarly to rubbing your face, exercise can cause the injected Botox to disperse to other areas due to increased blood circulation, which can then cause less efficacy in the intended place.
It is important not to lay down or nap for several hours after the appointment, as well. To avoid the Botox spreading before it has a chance to settle, it is best to remain upright or to avoid laying down in general for at least 4-6 hours post-treatment.
It is also recommended to avoid sleeping on the treated area for at least one day to eliminate the increased pressure that comes from laying down on the injection site. On the other hand, it is ideal to gently move your face muscles into different facial expressions following your appointment.
For example, moving the face around into certain expressions, like raising the brows, can guide you to seeing the results of your Botox treatment sooner. The results of a Botox appointment will not be noticeable right away, so gently exercising the face with different expressions will help aid in the process.
Avoiding alcohol will also help to reduce the chance of bruising after your appointment, which is a common side effect of Botox in general.
Staying out of the sun and away from excess or increased sun exposure for several hours after your treatment will help prevent negative side effects, such as sunburn of the treated areas. If you plan to be out in the sun, make sure to protect your face from harmful sun rays as it will be heightened in sensitivity.
Conclusion
Although Botox has been a popular cosmetic procedure for decades, some of the dos and don’ts for ensuring the best results possible can be forgotten in the excitement for the results and the research of “before and after” photos.
As Botox is a relatively quick procedure that can be added to your day with little downtime needed to recover, the methods to prep your skin beforehand and care for it afterward are also relatively simple.
Making a few slight adjustments to your routine a few days before and after your appointment can help you see the results you are after.
Wearing makeup is a daily ritual for a lot of us, so when we have a Botox treatment added to our daily schedule, knowing when it is the right time to apply cosmetics again is an important factor to be considered — especially as bruising is a common, potential side effect.
Wanting to cover up any bruised areas with concealer can almost feel like its second nature. However, taking the time to let your skin heal properly and let the injection site be completely restored will benefit you and your Botox both immediately and in the long run.
While it’s tempting to reach for your makeup bag immediately, or to touch the smooth expanse of your skin after a Botox treatment, it is important to let the skin heal and avoid touching, rubbing, or adding pressure to your face for several hours after your appointment, and for at least one day before applying makeup.
Even once the skin has been healed and the Botox has been settled into the targeted areas, you still want to be gentle with how you touch and treat your skin. Instead of looking to apply any cosmetics, you can focus on the gentle facial exercise the Botox will benefit from, in order for you to get to your results that much quicker!