Botox

2 Weeks Prior to Injections

• Avoid immunizations/vaccinations and dental procedures (including cleanings).

1 Week Prior to Injections

• Avoid blood thinning over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, and Aleve.

• If you are taking prescription blood thinners such as Coumadin or Plavix, you should check with the prescribing doctor to see if you are able to stop these medicines for 7-10 days before your appointment and at least 2 days after the procedure has been done.

• Avoid over the counter supplements such as, St. John’s Wort, Ginkgo biloba, primrose oil, garlic, ginseng, and Vitamin E.

2 Days Prior to Injections

• Avoid waxing, bleaching, tweezing, or using hair removal cream on the area to be treated.

• Start taking Arnica two days prior to the procedure. (This is not required, but it will help to lessen bruising.)

• If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another eruption of cold sores. Please let your aesthetic injector know so we may prescribe an antiviral if needed. You may start taking anti-viral medication 2 days prior to your treatment to help prevent an outbreak.

• Avoid topical products such as Tretinoin (Retin-A), Retinol, Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, or any “anti-aging” products.

24 Hours Prior to Injections

• Avoid alcoholic beverages for 24 hours prior to procedure as this can increase the risk for bleeding and bruising at the treated site(s).

• If you are prone to cold sores (oral herpes simplex) and are having filler done around the mouth area, please take your prescribed medication (Famvir, Famciclovir, Valtrex, Valacyclovir, Acyclovir) as prescribed in the 24 hours prior to your treatment.

• Avoid dental procedure (including cleaning) 2 weeks post filler.

• The majority of reactions to dermal fillers are redness, swelling, bruising and tenderness after the injections. These usually subside a few days after the treatment, but can last up to a week. Lumps/bumps may take 1-2 weeks to soften and settle in.

• You may apply/take bromelain/arnica topically and or orally to help with bruising.

• Cold compresses may be used after the treatment to reduce swelling and decrease soreness. You may take Tylenol (if not contraindicated) every 4-6 hours after the treatment to help with any discomfort you may have.

• Make-up may be applied 8 hours after the treatment, if no complications are present, such as open wounds, bleeding or infection.

• In the first 24 hours following treatment, limit exposure to sunlight. Extensive sun or heat exposure and alcoholic beverages may cause a temporary increase in redness, bruising or swelling at the injection sites. If exposed to sunlight, wear sunscreen.

• Patients should avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours to prevent moving the filler or increasing blood flow to the face.

• Avoid taking aspirin (unless medically necessary) or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®, Aleve®,Celebrex®, Fish oil, Ginkgo Biloba, St. John’s Wort and high doses of vitamin E for 5 days after the treatment, as these may cause an increased risk of bleeding or bruising at the injection sites.

• Avoid excessive touching or massaging the treated areas for about 8 hours after the injections. The treated areas can be washed with a gentle cleanser.