Lying Down After Botox: Debunking Common Myths & Misconceptions
Botox treatment for facial wrinkles is the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States1. Whether you’ve received Botox many times or are getting ready for your first treatment, it’s natural to have questions. We encourage you to bring your questions to us so we can give you accurate answers. Unfortunately, many common Botox myths floating around on the internet can cause unnecessary anxiety. One of the most common is the “lying down after Botox myth.”
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How Long After Botox Can You Lay Down?
If you’re wondering, “When can I lay down after Botox?” the answer is, “As soon as you want to!” Many believe that if they lay down after Botox, they’ll mess up their results or experience substantial bruising. But this isn’t something you need to worry about. The amount of fluid injected with each cosmetic Botox treatment is very small. That means it won’t slosh around in your face if you happen to lie down after injection. Some people experience bruising after Botox, whether they lie down or not. But it usually resolves itself within a few days.
Clients sometimes call us and frantically say, “I forgot and laid down after getting Botox! What should I do?” Of course, we’re happy to relieve their fears and let them know they haven’t done anything wrong. However, they should avoid certain other activities, such as strenuous exercise or anything else that raises the heart rate.
Other Common Botox Myths
In addition to the lying down after Botox myth, there are many other misconceptions about this popular cosmetic treatment. We want to clarify some of those misconceptions to help you have the most positive experience and treatment outcome.
Myth #1: You Can’t Bend Over After Botox
You don’t need to call us and tell us, “I bent over after Botox,” because there’s nothing wrong with bending over. Like lying down, bending over is unlikely to cause any issues with your injections. Some people are concerned that Botox will migrate to unwanted areas if they bend over. However, this is highly unlikely since the amount of Botox injected into each area is so minute. So, if you drop your pen and need to pick it up, go ahead and do it—no need to worry that you’ll somehow mess up your appearance.
Myth #2: Botox Is Addictive
Some people believe that they’ll become addicted to Botox and won’t be able to stop receiving the injections. This simply isn’t true. Botox is not an addictive substance, and you can stop receiving it if you want. But you may love the results so much that you decide to keep getting regular treatments.
Myth #3: Cosmetic Surgery Is Better Than Botox
You might think cosmetic surgery is better than Botox because the results are more permanent. However, an invasive cosmetic surgery may not yield the results you want. Though surgery may help tighten the skin, it is not the most effective way to get rid of forehead wrinkles.
Sometimes, patients undergoing expensive cosmetic surgery still need Botox injections for their forehead lines. Before getting expensive and invasive surgery, we recommend trying Botox to see if it delivers the results you want. Continued Botox treatments are well-tolerated by most people and can prevent the development of some new wrinkles2.
Myth #4: Botox Can Make You Look Younger Instantly
One of the most common Botox myths is that it can make you look younger instantly. But it takes time for the effects of the injections to kick in. People who think they’ll look drastically different immediately after their injections will be disappointed. In reality, it can take up to two weeks to see optimal results.
Myth #5: Botox and Fillers Are the Same
Botox and fillers are commonly mistaken for each other. However, these two cosmetic injection types are very different. Botox helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles by relaxing the muscles. Fillers, on the other hand, reduce the appearance of wrinkles by adding volume to areas that have lost collagen or fat.
Myth #6: Botox Poisons the Body
Understandably, some people believe Botox injections will poison their bodies and make them sick. Botox is a toxin. However, it doesn’t travel far from the injection site, which means it won’t spread throughout the body and lead to illness. Botox injections are absorbed into specific muscles. That’s why only the treated muscles become paralyzed, not other body parts.
Myth #7: Botox Is Only for Wrinkles
Though Botox is most popular for treating wrinkles, that’s not its only use. The popular cosmetic treatment is quite versatile and can treat various health issues. Some of these include overactive bladder, migraines, pain in the trapezius muscles (traptox), temporomandibular joint symptoms, and excessive sweating.
Myth #8: Botox Freezes the Face
One of the more pervasive myths about Botox is that it will freeze your face and make it impossible for you to express emotion. This popular myth has even been depicted in comedies. Often, the character in question looks like they’re wearing a mask because they’re completely expressionless when they talk.
It’s possible to experience limited facial movement depending on how much Botox is injected into your skin. But a skilled Botox injector knows how to meet your preferences. If you want to maintain natural facial movements while reducing the appearance of wrinkles, let your injector know. When it comes to Botox, less is always more. If you want to add more, you can always increase the amount on your next visit.
Myth #9: You’ll Look Even Older When the Botox Wears Off
If someone tells you that you’ll look even older once your Botox treatment wears off, don’t believe them. This is another popular Botox myth that isn’t based on reality. If you stop receiving Botox injections, your face will return to how it looked before. It will continue to age at the rate it did before you began receiving Botox.
However, it may seem like you’re aging more quickly once you stop getting Botox injections. That’s simply because you’re no longer used to seeing your wrinkles. Botox injections hide the appearance of wrinkles so well that it can be a shock to see them again. For this reason, many people continue receiving Botox injections to maintain their youthful appearance.
Related Reading: 7 Easy Ways to Make Botox Last Longer
Botox Aftercare Instructions
Although the lying down after Botox myth isn’t true, there are some important Botox aftercare instructions you’ll want to follow. The goal of these instructions is to help minimize your risk of bruising and ensure you experience optimal treatment results. We’ll give you detailed aftercare instructions following your procedure, but here’s an overview of some things you should and shouldn’t do after receiving Botox.
DO:
- Perform gentle face exercises such as smiling, frowning, and raising your eyebrows
- Maintain a normal heart rate for 24 hours after treatment
- Avoid touching the treated area
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and after your procedure to minimize your risk of bruising
- Avoid tanning beds and sun exposure for 48 hours
DON’T:
- Rub the affected area
- Exercise within 24 hours of your procedure
- Wear makeup within 24 hours of your procedure
- Apply pressure to the affected area
- Get skin treatments such as facials or dermal fillers for at least 24 hours
Botox Injections in Beverly Hills
Now that you know the truth about lying down after Botox and other popular myths, we invite you to give this popular treatment a try. Contact Emana Medical today at (310) 878-4321 to schedule your Beverly Hills Botox treatment.
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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone/text/email and you agree to our office policies.