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Does Sun Exposure Affect Your Botox?

Those who undergo a Botox procedure want to achieve the optimal treatment results. And, they may be concerned about a potential link between Botox and sun exposure.

Ultimately, it helps to learn as much as possible about Botox before undergoing this non-surgical cosmetic treatment. If an individual knows what to expect out of the treatment, he or she can understand how to manage their sun exposure after their procedure. This individual also can take appropriate steps to limit their exposure to sun after Botox and realize the treatment’s full facial rejuvenation results.

Botox and Sun Exposure: Here’s What You Need to Know

Sun exposure ages the skin, but it does not interfere with Botox treatments. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays causes elastin fibers in the skin to break down. When this happens, the skin sags and stretches. The skin also becomes more susceptible to bruising and tearing and requires additional time to heal. Therefore, people should avoid spending too much time in the sun to reduce the risk of wrinkles, sunspots and other visible signs of aging in the face.

What Are the Best Ways to Manage Sun Exposure After a Botox Treatment?

Botox temporarily smooths fine lines, wrinkles and furrows caused by excessive muscle movements. For Botox patients, there are many quick, easy ways to manage sun exposure following treatment. These include:

• Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Limit sun exposure to let the skin heal properly.
• Wear a high SPF sunscreen. UVA and UVB sun rays cause skin damage and sunburns. As such, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
• Use a topical antioxidant. Use a topical antioxidant to combat free radicals that cause facial wrinkles, lines and volume loss.

For those who want to get the most value out of a Botox treatment, partnering with an expert facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon is key. In fact, patients who choose Dr. Babak Azizzadeh of the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles for Botox can reap the benefits of an unprecedented treatment experience. 

How Does Dr. Azizzadeh Help Patients Manage Botox and Sun Exposure?

Dr. Azizzadeh is a globally recognized facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who possesses extensive Botox treatment knowledge and expertise. He takes a holistic approach to Botox procedures and other facial rejuvenation treatments. By doing so, Dr. Azizzadeh educates patients about each facial rejuvenation treatment option and helps them get the best-possible results.

For example, Dr. Azizzadeh explains all aspects of a Botox procedure before administering treatment. This enables a patient to prepare for the procedure and understand its side effects.

Plus, Dr. Azizzadeh’s in-depth approach to facial rejuvenation allows patients to learn about the potential ramifications of exposure to the sun after Botox.

How Does Dr. Azizzadeh Help Botox Patients Prepare for Treatment?

Dr. Azizzadeh requests patients discontinue certain medications at least seven days prior to a Botox procedure to avoid bruising. These medications include:

• • Aspirin
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve, Motrin, etc.)
  • St. John’s Wort
  • Vitamin E
  • Omega 3 fatty acids
  • Ginger
  • Ginkgo Biloba
  • Ginseng

Dr. Azizzadeh’s goal with Botox procedures is to help a patient maintain their natural beauty. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Azizzadeh performs an in-depth patient evaluation prior to a Botox treatment. He then crafts a treatment plan designed to help a patient eliminate wrinkles and preserve their natural facial contours and the ability to make facial expressions.

To help a patient achieve a balanced and natural-looking facial appearance, Dr. Azizzadeh may recommend a Botox treatment be performed in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures. Common facial rejuvenation procedures administered in conjunction with Botox include:

• • Facial Fillers: Smooth out wrinkles and replace lost collagen in the face. Popular dermal fillers used to revitalize the facial appearance include Juvederm, Restylane, and Voluma.
  • Laser Skin Resurfacing: Requires DOT Deka laser skin treatments to resurface the skin on the face and neck and improve the skin’s tone, texture and pigmentation.
  • Skincare Products: Help correct medical skin conditions, minimize UV damage, and prevent the recurrence of persistent skin problems. Various skincare products are available and can be used to help patients with all types of skin.

Each of the aforementioned facial rejuvenation treatments serves a different purpose. When used in combination with Botox, these treatments can help a patient optimize their facial rejuvenation results.

Are There Botox Treatment Side Effects?

Botox patients can experience side effects that last for up to one week after treatment. These side effects can include:

• • Stinging: Patients sometimes experience a stinging sensation at the injection site. This sensation generally lasts for only 10 to 15 minutes following treatment.
  • Swelling or Tenderness: Patients may notice swelling or tenderness at the injection site. These side effects often resolve on their own within a few days of treatment.
  • Redness: Patients’ skin may become red after treatment. But, makeup can be applied immediately after treatment.

Following a Botox procedure, Dr. Azizzadeh recommends frequent application of sunscreen. Patients should use sunscreen that provides broadband protection (UVA and UVB) and has a SPF of 30 or more. They should apply sunscreen 20 minutes before they go outside, once again just before they go outside and every two hours afterwards. If a patient faces direct sun exposure, he or she should wear a hat and clothing to cover the treated area. Also, Dr. Azizzadeh recommends patients avoid excess sun and heat until any initial swelling and redness has disappeared.

Botox and Sun FAQs

Dr. Azizzadeh strives to educate patients about all aspects of Botox. He wants to help each patient make an informed decision about the treatment and ensure that he or she understands what to expect following their procedure. To teach patients about this treatment, Dr. Azizzadeh provides answers to some of the most common treatment questions about the link between Botox and the sun.

Does the sun affect Botox?

Sun exposure won’t interfere with a Botox treatment. However, excess sun exposure increases a person’s risk of skin sagging and stretching. Thus, individuals – regardless of whether they undergo a Botox treatment – should avoid extended sun exposure.

Can you go in the sun after Botox?

Sunbathing after Botox is generally not recommended. Botox patients should also apply sunscreen any time they need to go outdoors following treatment.

What will happen if I’m out in the sun for an extended period of time after Botox?

Prolonged sun exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer and other long-lasting skin problems, regardless of whether an individual undergoes Botox. These issues can cause severe facial lines or other visible signs of aging. They won’t necessarily be corrected by future Botox treatments, either.

What should you not do after Botox?

Some of the things to avoid immediately after Botox injections include:

• • Exercise/Workout: Strenuous activity should be avoided for at least 24 hours following treatment.
  • Excess Heat Exposure: Heat lamp procedures and sunbathing after the procedure should be avoided until post-treatment redness and swelling have disappeared.
  • Lying Down on the Face: For those who want to take a short nap immediately after a Botox procedure, it is crucial to avoid lying down on the face. Otherwise, doing so could interfere with the overall results of treatment.
  • Massage: Massages and other spa services may cause Botox to shift and increase post-treatment swelling, and they should be avoided for about 24 hours following treatment.
  • Medications: Blood thinners and other medications sometimes interfere with Botox treatment results. Prior to a Botox procedure, a patient should notify Dr. Azizzadeh about any medications that he or she currently takes. Then, Dr. Azizzadeh can let a patient know when he or she can start to use these medications again following treatment.

Dr. Azizzadeh provides patients with detailed instructions about what to expect following treatment. He also responds to patients’ concerns or questions, ensuring they know what they should and should not do after their procedure.

Can I go swimming after treatment?

Swimming and other strenuous activities may interfere with the results of treatment. Patients should usually wait at least a few hours before they go swimming after their procedure.

Can you put on makeup after treatment?

It is typically not recommended to wear makeup during a procedure, but patients can wear makeup after treatment. Usually, patients can start wearing makeup approximately four hours following Botox injections. At this point, makeup will not interfere with a patient’s treatment results.

Can I take a shower after treatment?

Hot showers should be avoided for at least 24 hours following a Botox procedure. A hot shower may seem like a good idea after the procedure, but it may actually do more harm than good relative to treatment results. Heat from a shower may reduce blood flow to the face, causing Botox to shift. In this instance, a patient may struggle to optimize their treatment results.

Botox patients who want to keep the skin clean after treatment should use only cool or lukewarm water when showering. Also, they should apply light pressure when cleaning the skin to minimize the risk of post-treatment swelling.

Remember, it is crucial to give the skin time to rest after a Botox procedure to ensure a patient can achieve the best-possible treatment results. By waiting at least one day before taking a hot shower and resuming a typical skincare regimen, a patient can put himself or herself in position to accomplish their treatment goals.

How long after Botox can I get a microdermabrasion treatment?

Since Dr. Azizzadeh tailors each facial rejuvenation procedure to his patient, he offers microdermabrasion recommendations on a case by case basis. Dr. Azizzadeh often recommends waiting at least 24 hours to undergo microdermabrasion or any other facial rejuvenation procedure after Botox. In some instances, Dr. Azizzadeh may recommend a patient wait a few weeks for microdermabrasion or any other facial rejuvenation procedure following Botox as well.

If a patient wants to undergo a microdermabrasion procedure shortly after Botox, Dr. Azizzadeh meets with this individual and maps out a facial rejuvenation treatment plan. He also adjusts this plan as needed to help a patient rejuvenate their facial appearance as quickly as possible.

What happens if you drink alcohol after Botox?

Alcohol thins the blood and causes blood vessels in the face to dilate. If a Botox patient consumes alcohol following treatment, it may disrupt the procedure’s results.

Dr. Azizzadeh usually recommends a patient avoid alcohol consumption for approximately 24 hours after their procedure. That way, a patient can ensure alcohol won’t interfere with their treatment results.

Is a Botox treatment a good option if I’m dealing with sun-damaged skin?

Sun-damaged skin can be problematic. But, the issue may be reversed with Botox or other facial rejuvenation treatment options.

Dr. Azizzadeh requests a patient consultation to determine how to treat skin damaged by prolonged sun exposure. He uses the consultation to assess the severity of the skin damage and learn about his patient’s treatment goals. Next, Dr. Azizzadeh can find out if Botox or another treatment option can be used to address the issue.

Set Up a Botox Treatment Consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh Today

Dr. Azizzadeh is a dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has exceptional insight into facial aesthetics and the anatomy of the facial muscles. He uses a specific amount of Botox to help each patient achieve naturally beautiful results. To find out more about Botox, please contact us today at 310-657-2203 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh.ase contact us today at 310-657-2203 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh.