After a Botox injection session, you might wonder whether you can drink after Botox. You’re not alone! It’s a very common question, and we have the answer! Who doesn’t want a stress-free evening at home with a drink (or two!).
This article will answer all your alcohol and Botox questions and go through what you should not do after Botox.
What is Botox?
Botox is an FDA-approved injectable purified protein invented by the Allergan pharmaceutical company. It’s used to treat fine lines, reduce wrinkles, smoothen out the overlying wrinkles, and relax your muscles. It’s most commonly used to address wrinkles associated with facial expressions on the upper face as part of facial rejuvenation treatment. While Botox is a temporary anti-aging treatment, it delivers long-lasting results that can last between three to six months.
Anti-wrinkle injectables, such as Botox and dermal fillers, have become an increasingly popular treatment across all age groups. It’s even become trendy to use Botox in your 20s! The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that Botox cosmetic procedures had increased by 28% since 2010 among 20- to 29-year-olds.
Men have caught on too! Since 2000, the number of men receiving Botox injections has increased by more than 300%. Dermal fillers and injectables are popular non-surgical dermatology treatments that are common among men and women seeking facial enhancements.
Can I Drink Alcohol Before Botox?
Is it okay to drink alcohol before Botox? No; according to doctors, it’s important to avoid alcohol before your appointment to minimize side effects and achieve the best result possible.
When can you have your last glass of wine or cocktail? You need to plan on not having alcohol starting 24 hours before your Botox appointment and, ideally, for the entire week before the procedure. So, why can’t you drink before having a Botox injection?
Why Can’t You Drink Alcohol Before a Botox appointment?
You might be wondering if you can drink alcohol before Botox injections. So can you? According to doctors, it’s important to avoid alcohol before a botox appointment. Why is that?
It’s because there are risks to drinking alcohol before Botox. What are these risks? The main issues are bruising, swelling, blood vessel dilation, fluid retention, and dry skin. This issue will increase the potential for complications and make it more difficult for you to heal.
Since it’s essential to keep bruising and swelling to an absolute minimum to achieve fantastic results, you must avoid alcohol before your Botox procedure.
Alcohol dries out your skin
Did you know that alcohol can dry out your skin? It’s true! While you can typically solve this with your favorite moisturizer, it’s different with Botox. That’s because if you have dry skin, it can worsen the appearance of your skin after the injections.
Plus, dry skin is more likely to result in cracks forming on your face after the procedure. That’s not what you’re going for!
If you’re considering compensating with a moisturizer, remember that you shouldn’t use skincare products for at least 4 hours and preferably 24 hours after a Botox injection.
Alcohol is a blood thinner
When you drink alcohol, your blood becomes more thin, leading to more bleeding than usual if you have a cut or accident. Just as you can’t be on blood-thinning medicine before Botox, you can’t drink either. While that’s interesting, how does it relate to Botox treatment? It turns out that it’s because of the small wounds the needle leaves around the injection site.
Whenever a needle pierces your skin, it leaves behind a tiny puncture wound. This usually isn’t a problem, but if you’re on a blood thinner or thinning the blood by drinking, it can lead to more bleeding than usual.
Excessive bleeding under the skin causes bruising, swelling, and can result in Botox migrating to areas you don’t want it to be! Best results are only achieved when bruising is kept to an absolute minimum, which means no alcohol.
Alcohol widens your blood vessels
Alcohol relaxes and widens your blood vessels, which is fine when you’re relaxing with friends but is not good if you’re going to be injected with Botox. Why? Due to the widening of your blood vessels after drinking, you will have greater blood flow to your skin.
Increasing the blood flow to your skin increases the risk of post-treatment swelling, allowing the Botox protein to migrate outside of the treated area in undesirable ways. How undesirable? You could have facial asymmetry for months on the ‘bad’ end of the spectrum. On the ‘good’ end, your Botox won’t last as long as usual.
How Long Before Botox Do You Need to Avoid Alcohol?
Doctors recommend you not drink for 24 hours before your Botox appointment. This doesn’t mean you should have a girls’ night that ends 24 hours before! That’s because you should also avoid excessive alcohol consumption within 72 hours of the treatment. If you’ll be drinking, moderate consumption is medically recommended.
Answered: Can You Drink After Botox?
Are you wondering if you can drink alcohol after Botox? According to doctors, it’s important to avoid alcohol for at least 6 hours after your Botox treatment.
While 6 hours is the minimum, you should wait 48 hours to achieve the best possible results. Following this advice will help minimize any side effects while achieving a great result. Save the cocktail or glass of wine for later.
Why do doctors recommend avoiding alcohol after Botox? Read on for the answers!
Why do you need to avoid alcohol after Botox?
Curious why can’t you drink alcohol after your Botox appointment? Below are the reasons you should avoid alcohol after Botox injections if you want sensational results.
Top 6 Reasons to AVOID alcohol after Botox
Want bad results? The potential side effects of Botox become more likely when alcohol is consumed post-treatment, which can cause a poor treatment outcome. While the results of a bad Botox treatment can be reversed as it wears off, who wants to be stuck with an asymmetrical face, a botched Botox lip flip, or a droopy eyebrow or eyelid for months?
It can make you look older! Consuming alcohol after having Botox injections can lead to unpredictable results that could make you look older instead of the intended youthful effect. That’s not the look you’re going for, is it?
Thinking about risking it anyway? People react to Botox differently, making it essential to avoid drinking alcohol after your appointment. Just because your friend did it last time and was okay doesn’t mean you will be.
Do you really want a bruised, swollen face? Since alcohol works as a blood thinner and stimulates the relaxation of your blood vessels, drinking can turn those small puncture wounds into big bruises under your skin. Bruises lead to swelling. Besides giving you the chance of an asymmetrical facial expression, you’ll end up with a bruised, swollen face for up to 7 days. If you want fantastic results with minimal bruising, don’t drink after Botox.
Want to be dehydrated? Alcohol dehydrates you. Usually, this isn’t a problem, but it is an issue when your facial muscles are busy absorbing the Botox protein.
Do you have a tendency to bruise easily? If you’re prone to bruising easily, avoiding alcohol will ensure that whatever bruising you experience is kept to an absolute minimum. People who tend to bruise easily and drink before Botox are just asking for a bruised, swollen face with poor treatment results.
What does alcohol do after Botox?
After your injection, the Botox protein has to be taken up by the desired nerves to achieve the intended results. You’re paying for wrinkle reduction, after all. Anything that keeps that protein from being absorbed will lead to poor outcomes. So what will keep it from being absorbed?
While Botox is very safe, there is the possibility of side effects, most of which are avoidable. Botox injections can cause hematomas, which is a fancy word for bruises, in your facial muscles. Bruises, and the swelling that comes with them, keep the Botox protein from being absorbed effectively.
How can you avoid bruising and swelling post-treatment? Don’t drink alcohol! That’s because if you drink after Botox, you’ll be unconsciously using a blood thinner, which can lead to bad bruising and swelling.
Alcohol is also a vasodilator, which means it relaxes and expands your blood vessels. That’s why you can feel warm or blush after drinking. While it’s fine on most days, it’s not okay when you’re being treated with Botox. Just like blood-thinning medicine is contraindicated for Botox, so is alcohol.
How Long After Botox Can You Drink Alcohol?
Doctors generally recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol for at least 6 hours – and preferably two days – after your Botox treatment. We suggest waiting two full days before drinking again since you otherwise risk unpleasant side effects.
Can You Drink Wine After Botox?
If you’re looking forward to a relaxing evening at home with a glass of wine, you might wonder, “Can I drink wine after my Botox?”.
You should avoid drinking wine for at least 6 hours, and preferably two days after you have your Botox injections. It’s best to skip the wine, at least for the first night. Wine is an alcoholic beverage that dries out your skin, can cause swelling and bruises at the injection sites, and doesn’t mix well with great Botox results. So, skip the wine, and you’ll get the best results possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Botox Before and After: Real Results
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Can you drink coffee before Botox?
Who doesn’t want to have their daily cup of coffee before Botox injections? There are two schools of thought on drinking coffee before Botox.
Many reputable Botox clinics say drinking coffee before your appointment can increase the risk of bruising, swelling, and facial irritation. That’s bad because it can lead to unpredictable results, leaving you with asymmetrical wrinkle lines that last until the Botox wears off months later.
Others say that while coffee theoretically increases the risk of bruising and swelling, the needles used are tiny, so it probably won’t be a problem.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to leave things to chance. The thought of having extra swelling and bruising leading to a weird facial symmetry for months is enough for me to avoid coffee for the recommended 24 hours before Botox.
Should you move your face after Botox?
Are you worried about moving your face after your Botox injections? Or have you heard that moving your face is beneficial?
While you shouldn’t touch your face, you definitely should exercise the muscles in the treatment area for faster results. Focus on raising your forehead muscles up and down, plus frowning and smiling.
Remember not to touch your face after treatment! Please resist the urge to massage the treated area since it can lead to poor results.
Can you lay down after Botox?
If you have an injection session in the afternoon, how long after Botox can you lie down? Experts recommend that you wait at least 4 hours post-treatment to lie down. Hopefully, your appointment wasn’t too late in the day! So, why can’t you lie down when you get home?
You shouldn’t lie down for at least 4 hours after your treatment because it can cause the Botox to make its way to where it shouldn’t be! This can cause unintended consequences and poor treatment results.
Unfortunately, drowsiness and dizziness are potential side effects of Botox, so if you have to lie down, make sure not to lie down on your face or side since these positions are the most likely to cause side effects. Instead, lie down on your back. Don’t fall asleep if you usually sleep on your side or face! Why? It’s because you’re likely to unconsciously move to your normal sleep position after falling asleep.
If you’re having Botox and fillers done, it’s doubly important that you follow your aftercare procedures by waiting 4 hours post-treatment to lie down.
Can I wash my face after Botox?
While it’s natural to want to wash your face, please don’t do it for at least 4 hours after your appointment. This is to ensure that you achieve the best possible results.
Can I shower after getting Botox?
Yes, you can shower after getting Botox as long as you don’t use hot water for the first 24 hours.
Why do you need to avoid a hot shower on the first day? Hot showers increase the blood flow to your face, which, in turn, can cause your Botox to shift and leave you with uneven results.
For the same reasons, you also should avoid hot baths and steam showers for the first 24 hours after your injections.
Can I wear makeup after Botox?
Although it’s part of your daily routine, it’s vital to go make-up-free for at least 4 hours after your appointment as part of your aftercare. Similarly, avoid other topical skincare products during this time.
Can I exercise after Botox?
It would be best if you waited 24 hours after your treatment before exercising again. Strenuous exercise after Botox can cause the Botox to spread to undesirable areas or be less effective.
Can you go In the sun after Botox?
You should avoid sun exposure for at least 24 hours post-treatment. This is because Botox and sun exposure can cause skin sagging and stretching.
If you have to go outside, wait at least 4 hours and then wear a hat and use a high SPF sunscreen. Why 4 hours? It’s because you can’t use skin products for at least 4 hours after treatment.
Can I have a sauna after Botox?
Are you wondering, ‘Does sauna affect Botox?’ Using the sauna is a healthy, enjoyable activity, but you’ll need to skip it for 24 hours post-treatment. This is because the heat from the sauna can cause the Botox to move to an area where it’s not wanted, which can lead to bad results.
Lying down after Botox: Can I lay on my back?
Doctors recommend not lying down for at least 4 hours after having a Botox treatment (or dermal filler injections). If you do need to lie down, the only position you should lie down is on your back. Following these rules will keep Botox from migrating to an undesirable part of your face.
While you can lie down on your back if you really need to, you still must avoid lying down on your stomach or side. If you’re a stomach or face sleeper, you need to make sure not to fall asleep on your back. That’s because you’ll change positions in your sleep to your preferred sleep position.
Can I take vitamin E, aspirin, niacin, Motrin, ibuprofen, Aleve, or gingko?
You should avoid taking Vitamin E, aspirin, Niacin supplements, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, and ginkgo from 24 hours before treatment until 24 hours after treatment, for 48 hours. Why? It’s because these medications and supplements increase the likelihood of Botox complications.
What else should I avoid?
Besides what we have already covered, you should consider avoiding caffeine, high-sodium foods, refined carbohydrates, spicy foods, and cigarettes for 24 hours before and 24 hours after treatment. That’s because they all have the possibility of causing increased swelling or irritation in the treated areas.
How long does Botox last?
While Botox is a long-lasting treatment, results vary from person to person. When you receive botulinum toxin injections, you should expect your results to last between 12 and 16 weeks.
How do you make Botox last longer?
Who doesn’t want to make Botox last longer? Besides being expensive, it’s not exactly fun to receive anti-wrinkle injections. Here are some helpful tips to keep your wrinkles at bay:
- Make sure to use an experienced, qualified who has good patient reviews. Not all injectors have the same skill levels, plus there is a learning curve with Botox injections and filler treatment.
- After your appointment, exercise the muscles in the treated areas for faster results. Focus on raising your forehead muscles up and down, plus frowning and smiling.
- Don’t touch your face after treatment! Please resist the urge to massage the treated area since it can lead to bad results.
- Don’t wear makeup for 48 hours after treatment. Why? It’s because makeup application can put pressure on your face, and that’s a Botox no-no. If you don’t care about long-lasting results, you can use makeup four hours after treatment.
- Avoid the sun like the plague. When you go out, use a high SPF sunscreen, wear a hat, and put on sunglasses. Besides improving your results, avoiding the sun slows the skin aging process. You should always use sunscreen on your face when you go outside, not just after Botox.
- Avoid strenuous activities. Physical activity needs to be on hold for 24 hours post-treatment.
- Don’t smoke. Cigarettes and wrinkles don’t go well together. Did you know that smoking weakens and damages your skin? Smoking makes your skin look older and bad for you from a health standpoint. Consider using this as an opportunity to stop smoking.
- Avoid alcohol. Besides leading to poor Botox outcomes, drinking dries out your skin, leaving you looking older than your age.
Does Botox make you look older after it wears off?
What will happen after the Botox wears off? As it wears off, your wrinkles will reappear but won’t be worse than before. Although the sudden reappearance of wrinkles can come as a shock, it’s just a sign that it’s time for another round of Botox.
While Botox only temporarily reduces fine lines and wrinkles, it’s nothing a maintenance appointment can’t fix. If you maintain a proper maintenance schedule, the muscles causing the wrinkles will weaken. That means that with time, the spacing between injections will decrease further and further.
Botox side effects: What’s the worst that can happen?
While Botox is very safe and used by millions each year, there are potential side effects that you should be aware of.
Potential moderate side effects include anxiety, indigestion, redness, temporary facial weakness, headaches, dry mouth, itching, rashes, infection, nausea, and injection site bruising. Headaches are the most commonly reported symptom.
Severe side effects include difficulty breathing, extreme muscle weakness, difficulty talking, slurred speech, trouble swallowing, drooping eyelids, hoarseness, and loss of bladder control. If you’re experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing, you may be experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction. Call the emergency services number as quickly as possible. For other serious side effects, promptly call your dermatologist or emergency services.
Final Thoughts: The Good News
While you can’t drink for 6 hours, and preferably 2 days, after Botox, waiting is worth it! After abstaining from alcohol for a short time, you can expect a reduction in wrinkles with none of the unpleasant alcohol-related side effects. Fantastic results and alcohol don’t mix well together!