The time has come. You have finally decided to book your aesthetic treatment and you are excited for the outcome. However, there is some things that you can do to ensure the outcome is the best it can be.
This blog will cover how to prepare for your Anti-wrinkle appointment- Prior, on the day and post appointment at Dr Kara Cosmetic Clinic.
Please ensure that you have also read the latest guidance on aesthetic treatments and the COVID 19 vaccine.
Please familiarise yourself with the clinic’s policy.
How to prepare for Anti-wrinkle treatment
Pre Procedure advice
If able to, please stop any medication 7 days prior to your appointment that can increase your risk of bleeding e.g. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Garlic & fish oil, Vit C, Vit E, Gingko Biloba. Do not stop medication if recommended to do for a medical reason. Please discuss with Dr Kara who can provide advice.
Avoid using ‘active skincare’ products e.g. Retinol, AHA/BHAs, for 3 days pre procedure.
Avoid heavy exercise 24 hrs prior to your appointment.
Avoid heavy alcohol consumption 24 hrs prior.
On the day advice
Arrive make up free.
Take paracetamol and a non drowsy antihistamine 1 hr prior to your appointment.
Please arrive on time for your procedure. Anymore than 5 mins late I may have to reschedule your appointment and your deposit could be effected. You will need to attend alone.
Message me upon arrival and I will come out to meet you. Do not knock on the door please.
What happens during your procedure
Consent and photos taken. The area will be numbed using a cream and then cleaned. Anti-wrinkle treatments administered using a super fine needle to minimise discomfort. The treatment will take around 30-60 mins to complete. An aftercare sheet will be provided following the procedure.
Post procedure advice
Periodically tense the treated muscles during the first 3 – 4 hours.
It is advisable that you do not touch the area for a minimum of 6 hours, ideally 12 hrs.
Take regular paracetamol over the next 24 hrs and then as required after this. Avoid ibuprofen as can cause increased bleeding.
Do not massage the treated area at all. If the area is washed, pat dry
very gently with a soft towel. Do not rub the treated area for 48 hours.
Avoid heavy alcohol consumption for 24 hrs afterwards as minimises bruising.
Do not apply make-up for approximately 12 hours.
Avoid heavy exercise 24 hrs post treatment.
Avoid facials/sun beds/chemical peels / laser resurfacing for 7 days.
Avoid restarting ‘active skincare’ products e.g. Retinol, AHA/BHAs, for 3 days post procedure.
Avoid exposure to UV, extreme heat i.e. sauna, steam rooms, sun beds etc. as this may increase discomfort and swelling for 2 weeks.
Avoid extreme cold; this includes ice packs that are directly applied to the skin. If necessary you can apply a cool compress to the area to reduce any discomfort or swelling.
Arnica tablets/gel can be used to help reduce bruising or the application of vitamin k oxide cream.
If you have had a local nerve infiltration injection please do not consume any hot or cold drinks until your sensation has returned to normal. You must also be careful when eating so that you do not risk biting your lip.
What to expect post treatment
After treatment it is expected that you will start to see an improvement within 2 or 3 days. For some people this takes longer. The full result may be judged at 2-3 weeks. You will be invited to attend a review appointment at 2-3 weeks where the success of the treatment may be assessed and adjustments to your personal treatment plan made, if necessary.
Common expected side effects
The above advice should help to minimise this but the following side effects can be expected to occur:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tightness
- Itchiness
- Discomfort
- Headache
These side effects can last between 1-14 days. This means leave plenty of time for yourself to recover before any big events e.g. wedding, birthday. Your discomfort should be able to be managed with paracetamol alone.
Should you experience any unexpected side effects or any that concern you, please contact the clinic. You will be given an emergency number to contact in this instance.
Botulinum Toxin administration can result in anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) which in itself is life threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the tongue, eyelids, lips, hoarseness of the voice, stomach pain, nausea or diarrhoea. If you have any of the above symptoms please report to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department or call 999 for an ambulance.
If you are unsure about what has been explained in this article and want to ask questions please do not hesitate to contact myself as I am happy to help. Contact me now.
I am looking forward to treating you
Dr Kara, Aesthetic GP doctor