Every year, we spend oodles of money on our skin. In 2004, we spent over $2 billion to help take care of acne and in 2013, over $2 billion on anti-aging skin treatments. However, for many of us, liver spots, frown lines, and other fine lines and wrinkles plague us. Injectables for wrinkles and Botox can certainly help get rid of those frown lines, especially when paired with a good skin care regimen. Simply getting Botox without taking the proper steps to care for your skin will prove to ultimately be a relatively short fix. However, the combination of Botox and good skincare can yield long lasting results that you’re sure to be satisfied with. So let’s talk about what you can do for healthier skin and what you can expect from Botox.
What Good Skin Care Methods Can Reduce My Frown Lines?
Moisturizing and staying hydrated are key. A lighter moisturizer during the day and a night cream — which tends to be thicker than your daily moisturizer — at night can go a long way. Caffeine eye creams may help rejuvenate the skin around your eyes, reducing crow’s feet. Drinking lots of water — and cutting back on your caffeine, which can dehydrate you — can keep your skin luminescent and full, helping to prevent those frown lines.
Not tanning and taking sun protection measures is also key. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that over 90% of the visible changes (like those wrinkles) that are chalked up to skin aging are due to the sun. And those who use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day are almost a quarter less likely to show signs of skin aging, opposed to those who don’t. Many daily moisturizers also now include SPF, so you can kill two birds with one stone!
Expert agree that the best way to keep wrinkles and sun damage at bay are staying in the shade, wearing hats, visors, or other protective clothes, and wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher regularly.
Here’s How Botox Can Help You
If you’re already seeing signs of wrinkles, however, and want to nip those in the bud, consider resetting with Botox. Frown lines, which are caused by repeated furrowing of the brow also usually need Botox in order to be eliminated.
Botox helps relax the muscles that are creating your frown lines and wrinkles, which keeps the lines from becoming more set. This type of procedure is usually quite quick, involving small injections into the specific muscles being treated. Most patients say there’s minimal pain — it feels like a pinch, but nothing more severe.
You will most likely need to return for further injections every three to four months, in order to see the best results. However, getting rid of frown lines can help you look happier and more pleasant, which can result in better self esteem and overall satisfaction with your appearance.
How to Take Care of Your Skin After Botox
Even if you’re not getting a major procedure done, there are still after treatment guidelines that need to be followed. You should be upright — no lying down — for a minimum of four hours after your injections. You should also avoid exercise for 24 hours after your procedure, as well as massage or pressure on the area where you had Botox done. This means any facials, chemical peels, or other abrasive treatments are out for a day or so.
Make sure you’re icing regularly as well, to keep swelling and bruising down. Any blood thinning medication and large quantities of alcohol or caffeine should also be avoided. After 24 hours has passed, you can feel free to return to your usual skin care regimen. Make sure you follow up with your doctor if you’re not completely satisfied.
Say goodbye to those frown lines and wrinkles with the help of Botox and a better awareness of how to make your skin the healthiest — and happiest — it can be.