COSMETIC ENHANCEMENTS: BEFORE + AFTERCARE

Cosmetic enhancements and aesthetic treatments are a worthwhile investment, taking your skin to the next level with high-quality care and evolving your appearance to match your ideal goals.

While heading to the spa for a cosmetic treatment seems like it should be rather cut and dry, there are several things you should be doing before, and especially after, to prepare your body, protect your skin, promote and maximize your results, and maintain your desired look for as long as possible.

PREPARING FOR COSMETIC ENHANCEMENTS

Whether you’re having a treatment with neurotoxins like Botox or dermal fillers like Juvederm, there are some things to keep in mind as you prepare for your appointment.

The first thing you want to do is clear your calendar for anywhere from three days to a week after your treatment. This will give you the time you need to rest and recover after your treatment.

Are you planning cosmetic enhancements around a special event, like a vacation, anniversary, or wedding? Make sure your appointment is scheduled at least two to three weeks in advance.

Talk to your provider about how long it usually takes not only for regular swelling and bruising to subside, but to see the full benefits of your procedure.

The results from Botox, Xeomin, and dermal fillers are usually apparent within a week, but other treatments, like Sculptra, can take longer.

You should have time to recover and make sure your enhancements are visible on your big day.

SCHEDULE IN ADVANCE

Most people have their injectable enhancement appointments scheduled at least a few days in advance, especially if they have a routine schedule set.

If this is the case for you, make sure you avoid alcohol for a full 24 hours before your appointment. Alcohol acts as a blood thinner, so having it in your system at the time of treatment may cause bleeding and will make it more difficult to avoid post-treatment bruising.

The same concept applies to medications that may thin your blood, which should be avoided for up to two weeks, if possible.

Supplements that thin the blood include aspirin, most pain relievers (Motrin, Aleve, Advil, etc), fish oil or Omega 3 supplements, and herbal supplements like St. John’s Wort.

Do not stop taking medications that have been prescribed by your doctor without seeking medical advice first.

A NOTE ABOUT COLD SORES

Let your provider know if you have a history of cold sores.

In some cases, it may be beneficial to make sure you are taking an antiviral medication in the days leading up to your procedure to avoid complications while you are healing.

If you recognize that you are developing a cold sore or any other illness, you should reschedule your appointment and wait until you are healthy again.

AFTERCARE FOR COSMETIC ENHANCEMENTS

What you do after your procedure is just as important as what happens during.

The number one most important thing you need to remember is to keep your hands away from the area where you’ve had an enhancement. Do not massage your lips or face at all.

You may think the area where you had an enhancement feels firm or a little bumpy, but the injectable you’ve had needs time to absorb into your body and work it’s magic. Hands off!

Messing with the area can cause the fillers to move around and absorb in a pattern your expert injector didn’t intend.

This can result in an uneven or failed completion.

The only exception to this rule is Sculptra, after which you may be instructed to do some light massage.

Make sure you have a comfortable place to sleep the night of the procedure, preferably where you can be propped up comfortably.

Sitting up a bit will help you to avoid turning and sleeping on your face and will also help to keep the swelling down.

AVOID EXERCISE POST-TREATMENT

Avoid exercise.

Your newly enhanced area needs time to heal without increased blood flow, sweat, extreme body temperature changes, and being jostled around.

This is your excuse to stay out of the gym for at least 24 hours. And yes (sorry) this includes yoga. No inverted positions or hot yoga.

HOW TO RELIEVE PAIN AND OTHER SYMPTOMS

Depending on the enhancement you’ve had, gently icing the area may help reduce swelling and lessen your odds of bruising.

Make sure you ask your service provider if it is OK to ice the area you’ve had worked on.

If you do bruise, it’s OK to gently cover the bruises with makeup in the days after your treatment. Lipstick works for the lips.

While rare, ask your doctor if he has a pulse dye laser if you have a bad or dark bruise that is taking a while to clear. It will help the bruise to dissipate faster.

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy that is very often used to help with inflammation. Ask your injector if they might benefit you for a few days after your treatment.

They may help to reduce your discomfort as you heal and the swelling goes down.

Avoid Arnica if you have blood pressure issues or other medical concerns. It’s always best to talk to your doctor before trying a new supplement.

Protect your skin from the sun. Wear sunscreen properly and regularly. Wear hats when you are outside. Do what you can to protect your healing skin from any sort of UV damage.

While generally uncommon, sometimes treatments can cause acne flares in individuals who are already prone to acne. This will usually clear up on its own within one to two weeks, but you should call your doctor if you need medication to clear it up.

While it’s important to have an experienced injector do your cosmetic enhancements, the things you do before and after your procedure will make a huge difference as to how you look and feel in the days to come.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the procedure; your treatment provider is happy to create modifications to your intended treatment schedule as appropriate.

The more engaged you are in participating in the creation of your treatment and aftercare plan, the happier you will be with your cosmetic enhancements.