How Long After Botox Can I Lay Down (And Why)?

Exact Answer: After 4-6 hours

Botox is a toxin used by doctors in a small quantity as a drug to treat some medical conditions. Clostridium botulinum bacteria produce a Botulinum toxin. From these toxins, botox is prepared. Botox is used as a beauty treatment. Botox injections are used to reduce the wrinkles of the skin.

Although there are very rare side effects of having Botox treatment there are some adverse effects and you need to follow the aftercare. Doctors recommend not to lay down for at least 4 hours after having Botox. It will help to prevent any excessive swelling and stop the migration of Botox to other parts of the face.

How Long After Botox Can I Lay Down?

To minimize the after-effects of the application of Botox it is always suggested not to lie down for 4-6 hrs after the procedure. Lying down too soon may have increased the chance of Botox spreading to other parts of the face. Although it will not cause any health issues but lying down may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Sometimes migration of Botox to other muscles can cause complications.

The primary use of Botox in cosmetic use is to reduce wrinkles from the face. According to the American Board of cosmetic surgery, Botox injections are used as a cosmetic procedure by most populations. A survey confirms that in 2016 over 7 million people had used botox beauty treatment. Unfortunately, botox treatment doesn’t last forever. The effect of one-time botox treatment can last for at least 3 -12 months and it also depends on the type of treatment. Eventually, the effect of neurotoxin will wear off after 3-4 months of the procedure.

If you need to lay down you may lay in a supine position and avoid lying on your side or your stomach. Avoiding lying on your side may decrease the change of migration of Botox to other muscles of your face. Botox is helpful in other health issues like eyelid spasms, excessive sweating, some bladder disorders, and migraine problems. It can be used to reduce upper limb spasticity and severe underarm sweating. Those people having a migraine and their headaches last for at least 4 four hours they have been prescribed Botox to prevent headaches for so long.

Why Should I Wait So Long After Botox To Lay Down?

Botox will show effect in 3-5 days but it will not give a clear result for at least 10 days after the use. This needs at least 10 days so that the neurotoxins could block off those nerve signals to the muscles. There are some reactions one should expect after the application of neurotoxins. You may have some face bumps at the sites where the injection was applied. But with time this will fade away. You have to apply numbing cream and ice packs to get rid of discomforts before the treatment procedure.

People use neurotoxins to treat these problems in their face:-
1) To reduce the wrinkles between the eyebrows. These wrinkles are called frown lines.
2) To treat crow’s feet or the wrinkles around the eye.
3) To reduce the forehead horizontal lines.
4) To minimize the lines at the corner of the mouth.
5) To smooth out “cobblestone” or the skin on the chin.

Research says it doesn’t show any effect on treating the dark circles or improving hair quality. Women going through pregnancy and feeding their children should stay away from this. People who have an allergy to this neurotoxin should aware before using this.

The cost of Botox varies depending on its use. Botox for medical purposes and Botox for cosmetic purposes have different costs. And it will vary from where the treatment takes place for example: if face then on forehead or chin or under the eye. If you want Botox treatment for frown lines or cow’s feet it will be around $376.

Conclusion

Once the treatment is done Doctor will tell you some general instructions to follow for the next 24 hrs including what to do and what not to do. Generally, people can tolerate the little side effects of Botox. However, patients may find some response depending on the reason for getting Botox injection.

Some unwanted effects may be seen: dry eyes, stomach upset, numbness, mild pain, and swelling around the site of the injection shot. You may feel a little headache post Botox injection. Depending on the type of treatment, there may be a chance when the effect of treatment may go beyond the site of the injection shot. If you want to have a Botox treatment do check on the side effects, risks, and the procedure thoroughly by your doctor.

Reference

1. https://journals.lww.com/jnnonline/FullText/2009/10000/Botox_Treatment_for_Migraine_and_Chronic_Daily.3.aspx
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1042369908001106