Now Is the Time to Get Injectables before the Holidays!
With 2016 quickly coming to a close, you’re running out of time to get injectable treatments like Botox and dermal fillers before the ball drops! Everyone wants to look their best during gatherings with family and friends, so if you want to smooth away fine lines and wrinkles, you’ve got to act fast to schedule your appointment in time. Here’s a quick and easy guide to everything you need to know about squeezing in your injectable treatment before the new year.
What Type of Injectable Do You Need?
There are two primary types of injectables that you can get, each with a few notable differences that set them apart.
- Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin contain a neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes the muscle contractions that create expression lines and wrinkles. These products are used to treat dynamic wrinkles, meaning those that do not remain visible while your face is at rest. Some studies have also indicated that Botox may have long-term benefits that could make it useful as a preventive tool to slow the signs of aging (Journal of the American Medical Association).
- Dermal fillers such as Juvéderm and Restylane differ from Botox and other neurotoxin-based products, as these fillers contain hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a naturally occurring substance already present in your skin. HA helps to bind water molecules to the skin, which creates a smooth, youthful appearance. As we age, though, the amount of HA in our skin begins to decline, which can give way to static wrinkles and loss of facial volume. Static wrinkles are different from dynamic wrinkles in that they do not disappear while your face is at rest. Thus, dermal fillers are great options for people looking to smooth away this type of wrinkle, replenish lost volume and restore more youthful facial contours.
If you’re unsure about which type of injectable treatment is the best option for you, schedule an appointment with a trained and experienced professional who can help you make an informed decision. Both types of injectables typically take less than 20 minutes to perform, and neither require downtime.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment to Minimize Downtime
Both types of injectables are often referred to as “lunchtime procedures” because of how quickly and easily they can be performed. In fact, you don’t even have to miss a day of work. You can simply schedule your appointment during your lunch break, and you should be fine to go right back to work immediately afterwards.
That said, there are some mild side effects that you’ll most likely notice in the first few days following your injectable treatment. These include redness, swelling and bruising. While these symptoms typically diminish on their own over the next few days, if you’re in a hurry to see results, you might want to try to speed up the healing process. To help minimize these side effects, keep these tips in mind as you prepare for your appointment:
- Avoid taking NSAIDs, which include aspirin, Advil, Aleve and Motrin for at least two weeks prior to your appointment. These medications can thin the blood and therefore increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site.
- Up your intake of dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, which contain high concentrations of vitamin K. This may also help to reduce bruising and swelling.
- When possible, schedule your appointment two weeks before an important event to ensure that you look your best just in time.
After Your Appointment
You can expect to be able to return to your normal daily activities after your injectable treatment session, but you still need to take it easy. Don’t schedule any strenuous workouts for the first 24 hours after your appointment, and try to give yourself some time to simply rest and relax. A few additional tips to keep in mind for optimum results:
- Remain in an upright position for the first hour or two immediately after getting injections.
- Don’t rub or massage the injected area.
- Use ice packs to help alleviate any discomfort.
The Bottom Line
If you want to look your best just in time for 2017, make sure you schedule your injectable treatment now! For a list of physicians that I have trained to perform high quality injectable treatments, visit SkinTypeSolutions.com.
Dr. Leslie Baumann, M.D. and her team at Baumann Cosmetic Dermatology believe in proof, not promises. World-recognized for both cosmetic and general dermatology, our treatment strategies rely exclusively on evidence-based, scientifically verified products and procedures that promote skin health and a natural appearance. We combine effective medical procedures with individualized instruction on proper skincare, nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle in order to maximize the health of the skin and body as a whole while minimizing the effects of aging. For more, visit Dr. Baumann’s blog for daily updates Monday through Friday, or inquire about an appointment through Derm.net.
