How To Mitigate Potential Side Effects Of Botox Injections

Whilst the Botox treatment can be described as a minor, non-invasive procedure, being prepared for the worst is always the best course of action. It is currently estimated that approximately 10% of the people who undergo this cosmetic procedure will exhibit several (aggressive and/or non-threatening) side effects. However, there are various ways you can prevent and reduce the intensity of the adverse reactions following the Botox treatment. Further great news is that the procedure does not entail long-term effects. Consequentially, you should focus on the possible immediate adverse reactions that might appear and educate yourself in order to ensure they are minimal and do not pose significant inconveniences.

Some common side effects

The most common side effect you should expect to experience from the Botox treatment is discomfort or mild pain in the injected area. Because this is a well-known adverse reaction, most licensed professionals provide their patients with ice packs to place on the injection sites. Keeping the area cooled will generally reduce possible swelling and bruises in the sites. To maximize results in alleviating pain, bruising and swelling, it is advisable that you keep the ice pack on for several minutes before and after the procedure. In the eventuality that you do not tolerate pain very well, then you should take an ibuprofen pill before the procedure.

Precautionary steps

The preparation for the Botox injection treatments should start about a week in advance and consist of carefully monitoring your meals. First off, it is recommended that you start eating foods rich in magnesium to reduce dizziness and nausea caused by the temporary high blood pressure following immediately after the treatment. An alternative method to combat nausea is to chew a piece of (candied) ginger every day before the injection. Lastly, drink sufficient liquids and eat nutrient-rich foods so that your body is strong enough to mitigate any adverse or allergic reaction that appears.

Overall, it is a good idea to take it easy for a few days after the Botox injection. The rationale behind this is that intense physical activity, massaging the area or lying down too much might cause the substance to migrate to other muscles (that were not supposed to be relaxed). Having the Botox migrate to other muscles can lead to droopy eyelids and other weak muscular reaction. A surefire method to combat muscle weakness and limited control is to start practicing static yoga.

You should find a reputable doctor or cosmetic clinic to perform the Botox treatment. The short and non-lethal side effects you can expect to experience after the procedure can easily transform into severe complications if the medical procedure is not done by a licensed professional. Essentially, purchasing the substance from shady sources or having the treatment performed by a non-medical individual entails the risk of injecting improperly formulated Botox into your system. At the same time, if the person giving the injections is using non-sterile equipment, then infections (viral or bacterial) are inevitable. The bottom line is that you should never save money at the expense of your health!

Reference: http://www.ehow.com/how_2139388_prepare-botox-side-effects.html