How to Care and Maintain Your Skin After Getting Neurotoxin Treatment

Want to get the most out of your skin “tweak ments”? Here’s how you can extend the results of your last Botox appointment.

Smooth, radiant, hydrated skin will never go out of style, which is probably why botulinum toxin therapy, a.k.a. neurotoxin injections, are the ​​most popular cosmetic treatment in Canada. So, why are neurotoxin treatments (more commonly known as Dysport, Xeomin and Botox injections) so popular? These low-key injections are something you can book over your lunch break, last around three to six months, have no downtime and cause minimal discomfort.

So, how does a neurotoxin work? Once injected into areas of the face where movement is frequent (think forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and the “11s”—the two vertical lines between your eyebrows), it diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles underneath. Translation: Wherever it’s injected, Botox causes those underlying muscles to temporarily stop moving, giving way to smoother skin.

This treatment has proven its effectiveness in staving off the aging process, but, just like any investment, it’s worth preserving it. If you dabble in Botox (or other neurotoxin injections), make the most of your wrinkle reducers and follow the correct neurotoxin aftercare protocol to make it last as long as possible. Read on for additional steps, tips and skincare products that can —and extend the amount of time between Botox appointments.

5 Botox Aftercare Tips
Follow these hard-and-fast rules post-Botox injections to encourage optimal treatment results while minimizing the risk of bruising.

1. Avoid strenuous activity and wait 24 hours to exercise post-Botox.
2. To avoid spreading the toxin, don’t touch or put pressure on the affected areas for one to three days.
3. Don’t lie on your back for the first four hours post-injections; this could spread the toxin.
4. Skip cocktail hour the day you get your Botox injections and for 24 hours after. Drinking alcohol can cause a low platelet count, which may result in bruising and bleeding.
5. Go makeup-free anywhere around your injection site for 24 hours after. When applying makeup, you run the risk of rubbing the skin and potentially dispersing the toxin.

How to Make Botox Last Longer When these skin-smoothing neurotoxins are injected, they banish fine lines for three to six months. However, you won’t see the full results immediately; it takes a few days for the benefits to start showing. This means you might be waiting between one and two weeks post-treatment to experience their full effects.

The amount of time you get out of this treatment also depends on a few factors, including how high your dosage was, environmental factors and how fast your own body breaks down the neurotoxin. Luckily, there are a few methods and skincare products you can employ at home to stretch the time between Botox appointments.

• Use an anti-aging moisturizer or serum.
  The anti-aging effects will last longer when neurotoxin treatments are combined with a hard-working skincare routine. Consider tweaking your routine and adding a moisturizer or serum packed with active ingredients that stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis. These ingredients will plump up your skin structure and, in turn, strengthen it. Look for ingredients like peptides and retinol. Try SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream. This is an effective yet gentle product that uses retinol to stimulate fibroblasts to synthesize collagen fibres, which improves skin elasticity. Beyond that, retinol works to increase cell turnover, smoothing crow’s feet, wrinkles and discoloration.
• Double (or triple) down with hydration.
  You already know that moisturizing your skin and locking in hydration helps give it a radiant glow, but it’s also a key step in maintaining the effects of your botulinum toxin, too. A rich moisturizer that’s brimming with humectants and emollients keeps skin looking plump while bringing down the risk of inflammation. And less inflammation means a decrease in how quickly Botox will be broken down in the body. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 contains a blend of lipids (2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol and 2% fatty acids), which helps restore facial fullness and lock in moisture all day long.
• Use an antioxidant serum.
  Since inflammation is a major factor in breaking down neurotoxins in the body, this means it’s essential to protect your skin from free radicals—and the best way to do that is with a serum rich in antioxidants, like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. This lightweight, non-greasy serum has a potent mix of antioxidants like vitamins C and E and ferulic acid. These molecules protect our skin from free radicals—highly reactive molecules that can cause damage to different components in cells, such as the DNA, proteins and outer barrier. An imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body causes oxidative stress, which can lead to cell and tissue damage.
• Protect your skin with a sunscreen.
  One of the most significant risks to your Botox injections is exposure to UVA and UVB rays—especially the former. UVA (think of “A” for aging) has the longest wavelength and can cause oxidative stress and create free radicals. This chain reaction can lead to inflammation, collagen breakdown and even skin cancer. Plus, it will surely shorten the lifespan of your neurotoxin.
  The simple fix? Add broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 to your daily routine. Enter SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. This fragrance-free zinc oxide-based sunscreen offers a subtle sheer tint that is blends easily for a range of skin tones without creating a white cast.