First time getting Botox? These are the 6 things you should never do
Avoid these common mistakes made by first-timers (Picture: Getty)
Around 900,000 anti-wrinkle injections are performed in the UK each year and, while they were once spoken of in whispers, the taboo is being broken.
Actress Olivia Coleman has discussed her experience with the face-smoothing tweakment: ‘I have done Botox and I loved it!’, while Friends star Lisa Kudrow says she gets it to look ‘maintained’ and ‘cared for’.
Some 900,000 anti-wrinkle injections are performed in the UK each day (Picture: Getty Images)
But while the non-surgical treatment is now easily available — with office workers often getting it done on their lunch breaks — it’s still important to take every appointment seriously.
Before you head to the clinic, you need to take steps to prepare your face, and to ensure you’re making the most of a treatment that can cost anywhere between £250 and £400.
Metro spoke to Alice Henshaw, nurse prescriber and clinic owner of Harley Street Injectables, who shared the six major mistakes people make before getting injected.
Skip the gym
You might already be aware that you need to avoid exercise for 24 hours after your appointment, but you need to consider your gym schedule beforehand, too.
Stick to low intensity (Picture: Getty Images)
‘It’s crucial to avoid high-intensity workouts such as heavy cardio sessions, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or vigorous weightlifting,’ says Alice.
‘When you exercise intensely, your blood circulation ramps up, which can increase the risk of bruising or swelling post-injection. Your body’s heightened state can make the small punctures from the injections more prone to bleeding.’
Instead, try a gentle activity — like a walk or restorative yoga —to keep your heart rate steady without causing strain on your blood vessels.
Save Face
Save Face is a government-approved register that connects people with practitioners they can trust. Since launching in 2014, they’ve assessed and verified over 12,000 practitioners and 14,000 clinics. For more information, and to find a trusted aesthetician, visit the Save Face website.
Stay cool
If you’re feeling anxious about your Botox treatment, you might think about indulging in some R&R, but choose your ‘me-time’ activities carefully.
‘Heat has a significant effect on your skin’s blood vessels, causing them to dilate,’ says Alice. ‘So hot yoga, a sauna session, and prolonged sun exposure can all lead to increased swelling or bruising around the treated areas.
‘That’s why it’s best to steer clear of activities that expose you to high temperatures on the day before your appointment.’
Instead, if you’re looking for some relaxation, Alice suggests meditation.
Consider your skincare
Keep your skincare simple and gentle (Picture: Getty Images)
Overdoing it with harsh exfoliants or strong chemical peels is never a good idea before your injection day.
‘Over-exfoliated skin is more sensitive and might react unpredictably to the injections, potentially leading to discomfort or irritation,’ says Alice.
‘If you’ve been using potent retinol products or scrubs, consider dialing it back a day or two before your appointment so your skin can be as balanced and calm as possible.’
3 questions to ask yourself before getting Botox
Anti-wrinkle injections aren’t for everyone. Metro spoke to psychologist Emma Kenny, who shared three questions to ask yourself, before taking the plunge.
- Why am I doing this? Identify whether your desire stems from healthy self-care or from deeper insecurities. If you find you’re looking for external validation or hoping this procedure will solve unrelated self-esteem issues, then rethink your actions.
- Are my expectations realistic? Botox can soften lines and wrinkles, but it won’t automatically boost self-esteem if underlying psychological concerns are at play. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what Botox can (and can’t) achieve, so that you don’t feel disappointed after you have spent your cash
- How will I cope if I’m not satisfied? Think about your emotional readiness for possible outcomes, both positive and less than ideal. If you’re prone to anxiety or perfectionism, having a post-treatment support plan (such as talking with friends, or a partner) can help manage any disappointment.
Check your medications
‘Many of us love our fish oil, vitamin E supplements, or even herbal remedies that naturally thin the blood for their health benefits,’ says Alice.
‘However, in the days leading up to your treatment, these can make your skin more susceptible to bruising.
If you’re unsure whether these should be avoided, have a chat with your provider. They might recommend stopping them a couple of days in advance.
Avoid alcohol
It’s probably better to postpone that big night out (Picture: Getty Images)
Don’t plan big nights out ahead of your appointment.
‘Alcohol is a known vasodilator — it widens your blood vessels, which can lead to increased bruising and swelling after your injections,’ says Alice.
‘To give your body the best chance to heal and to ensure optimal results, it’s best to abstain from alcohol for at least 24 hours before your session.
‘A clear head and a calm body are also key to achieving those natural, stunning results’.
Stay away from sunbeds
If you need any more reason to stay away from sunbeds, this should be it. Too much sun exposure can be especially harmful before Botox.
‘Overexposure to the sun or using tanning beds can damage your skin, leaving it more sensitive and prone to adverse reactions,’ says Alice.
‘Sun-damaged skin may not respond as predictably to anti‐wrinkle injections, which could affect both the treatment’s efficacy and your overall recovery.’
'I loved the results — and not just because my crows feet have disappeared'
The background. I’d been considering Botox for a couple of years, and as more of my friends quietly had their own injections, I became curious about getting it done myself. While I like the fact that I’m quite expressive (I have one of those faces where you know exactly what I’m thinking), I was starting to get self-conscious about my fine lines, especially around my eyes.
Lines on the forehead and frown area were significantly reduced (Picture: Harley Street Injectables)
Set the scene. What’s the clinic like? I was prepping myself for feeling very out-of-place around Harley Street Injectables’ super chic clientele. I needn’t have worried. The minute I walked into the clinic, I instantly relaxed. It was akin to being in a dentist waiting room (albeit a very stylish one). Just normal women who wanted to feel a little more fresh-faced, just like me.
What was your appointment like? The staff are reassuringly low-key about the whole experience. Founder Alice was my aesthetician, and while she clearly takes her work seriously (and provided me with a thorough consultation before any injections took place) she reminded me that Botox is incredibly common, and I was in safe hands.
I had Botox in three areas: my brow, forehead and crows feet. Alice asked me to make an expression (e.g. frown, smile, etc.), then I’d relax my face, and the Botox goes in.
Ok, let’s be real. How much does it hurt? It’s honestly not that bad. I was bracing myself for worse. Obviously, there’s a needle going into your face so it’s not pleasant, but the stress ball I was handed helped. Overall, it was a 4/10 on the pain scale.
The effects of the Botox on the fine lines around the eyes (Picture: Harley Street Injectables)
Anything else a first-timer should know about? I perhaps should have done a little more prep: a big night out two days before (plus some caffeine earlier that day) meant that, as Alice described it, I was ‘a bit of a bleeder’.
How long did it take before it kicked in? I was stunned by how quickly the Botox took effect. Even the lines that are there when my face doesn’t move seemed to be smoothed a bit. And crucially, my face didn’t look frozen, but just like I’d slept for a week.
Will you get it done again? 100%. I loved the results — but not just because my crow’s feet have disappeared. The best part of the whole experience has been the confidence boost. It’s put a spring in my step.
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