In the mid-1980s, world cosmetology was replenished with a new tool for combating facial wrinkles: the so-called “beauty injections,” or more precisely, Botox injections, which caused relaxation of facial muscles, as a result of which wrinkles on the skin were “smoothed out.” The procedure was easy to perform, the result came quickly, and the effect of visual rejuvenation lasted for a long time, which led to the enormous popularity of injections among both women and many men.
Since not everyone who wanted to gain a “second youth” were convinced teetotalers, the question quite naturally arose about the compatibility of Botox and alcohol: what restrictions exist and how safe is it to drink alcohol after “beauty injections”? There are several untrue myths around this topic that need to be debunked in order to answer the main question: is it possible to drink alcohol after Botox injections?
Briefly about Botox and its use
Botox is the common name for botulinum toxin medications.
Botulinum toxin belongs to the group of protein neurotoxins. With the right doses, it temporarily blocks the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles of a specific part of the body, which provokes complete muscle relaxation.
In medicine, Botox preparations are used to treat spastic diseases (for example, torticollis), blepharospasm, spastic pain syndrome, hemifacial spasm, etc. In cosmetology, Botox has become the most popular means of rapid “rejuvenation”.
What are the restrictions?
After the procedure, the most important thing is not to interfere with the distribution of the drug in the muscle fibers, that is, not to create situations that will cause a change in pressure or a change in blood circulation in the area where defects are corrected. Otherwise, the substance may move into adjacent muscle fibers and provoke unwanted reactions.
Doctors cannot unanimously say how many hours a number of restrictions should be adhered to per day after botulinum therapy. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and follow the recommendations throughout the day. In addition, some restrictions apply to the entire rehabilitation period. It does not matter which drug was used - Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Lantox, Relatox or others.
Doctors' opinion
The opinion of official medicine regarding the compatibility of Botox and alcohol is sharply negative: ethyl alcohol present in any alcoholic drink causes denaturation (loss of the natural molecular configuration) of the botulinum toxin protein, which is equivalent to its neutralization.
The result of this will be either the absence of the expected effect from Botox injections, or an unsatisfactory partial result, which is even worse, since uneven relaxation of the facial muscles can cause one degree or another of facial distortion, which will be difficult to eliminate. That is why doctors strongly recommend that you stop drinking any alcoholic beverages 3-4 days before the procedure and for at least 14 days after it.
More precisely, the duration of abstinence from alcohol should be recommended by a doctor, based on an assessment of the overall clinical picture: the patient’s health status, the presence of contraindications, etc.
The essence of the procedure
Botulinum therapy involves the introduction of drugs based on botulinum toxin A into areas that require correction. Usually these are the corners of the mouth, nasolabial folds, corners of the eyes, between the eyebrows, forehead, and chin. The very first drug that cosmetologists began to use to combat wrinkles was Botox. Although manufacturers now offer many analogues, Botox has not lost its relevance to this day.
All drugs based on botulinum toxin A have the same mechanism of action. The substance disrupts neuromuscular conduction, blocking the transmission of impulses from a muscle or gland. As a result, the muscles relax, the skin smoothes out, wrinkles and creases disappear, and the secretion of glands decreases (due to which botulinum therapy is effective against hyperhidrosis).
The woman will notice the first effect 30 minutes after the end of the procedure. The final result will appear after a few days, usually from 2-3 days to 1-2 weeks. It is during this period that it is important to strictly adhere to the recommendations received. How long you can enjoy the absence of a problem depends on which area was corrected and what drug was used.
Myths, speculation and misconceptions
As already mentioned, the topic of the compatibility of alcohol and Botox has become overgrown with a considerable number of myths that do not bring any benefit to a person, but only make people nervous in vain. To bring a little more clarity to this issue, it is enough to look at just 5 of the most common myths about Botox and alcohol.
Myth #1:
If you drink a little, nothing will happen.
Reality:
it would be more correct to say it differently - if you drink a little, the risk of complications will be less, but it will still never be 0%.
Myth #2:
Alcohol completely neutralizes the effect of Botox.
Reality:
this is not entirely true. Alcohol can partially weaken the effect of botulinum toxin, but there is never talk of complete neutralization. Moreover, there is a good chance that alcohol will have no effect at all on the effect of Botox injections, although you probably shouldn’t try your luck.
Myth #3:
alcohol increases the toxicity of botulinum toxin.
Reality:
no, it doesn't enhance it. This myth is an outright fabrication, it is not clear by whom and why it was invented.
Myth #4:
alcohol reduces the duration of the Botox effect.
Reality:
It’s difficult to say anything specific here because the duration of the anti-aging effect of Botox depends on many factors, and it is impossible to accurately predict whether alcohol will somehow affect this period.
Myth #5:
You can't drink non-alcoholic beer either.
Reality:
These are already inventions of those who like to always play it safe in everything. Non-alcoholic beer, as the name suggests, contains no alcohol, and therefore there is nothing to interact with Botox.
How will visits to the bathhouse and solarium affect the results?
There is an opinion that thermal exposure will negatively affect the effect of botulinum therapy: areas of pigmentation will appear at the injection site, and increased sweating will lead to accelerated breakdown of the substance and a reduction in the period during which the muscles are relaxed. This opinion does not have 100% evidence. However, many cosmetologists recommend excluding high-temperature exposures during the day.
It is forbidden:
- sunbathe on the beach;
- visit the solarium;
- go to the sauna and steam bath;
- take a hot bath;
- dry your hair with a hot stream of air.
Although ultraviolet radiation does not worsen the results of “beauty injections,” it is necessary to remember its destructive effect on the skin as a whole. UV rays accelerate the aging process and contribute to the appearance of wrinkles and age spots. To prolong the youth of your skin, before going outside you need to use a cream with SPF 30 or higher.
Recommendations after Botox on the forehead
Usually, the recommendations after Botox are the same for all areas of the face, including the forehead. The main condition after injections in the forehead is the refusal of physical activity, since active muscle activity can contribute to the rapid elimination of the drug, which will lead to a lack of effect. Any activity: bending over, lifting heavy objects or even house cleaning increases blood circulation, causing blood vessels to dilate. Such actions lead to uneven distribution of botulinum toxin and, as a consequence, to the development of negative consequences, including:
- increased body temperature;
- fatigue and weakness;
- decreased appetite;
- increased heart rate;
- facial asymmetry.
A week after Botox injections, you can lightly exercise, gradually increasing the load. Returning to the gym and lifting weights is allowed only after 1.5-2 months.
Another recommendation when performing Botox injections into the forehead and other areas of the face is to prohibit the use of certain medications. If medication treatment is necessary, you should consult a cosmetologist. But there are a number of drugs that must be excluded due to the high risk of complications, these include:
- psychoactive drugs - affect muscle and nervous activity, which leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of Botox injections;
- vitamin B – regulates the activity of the nervous system and protects cells from damage, which prevents wrinkles on the forehead from completely smoothing out;
- painkillers - affect blood clotting, which leads to the appearance of hematomas at the puncture site;
- antibiotics with a bactericidal effect - block muscle function, which, in combination with Botox injections, can lead to unpredictable consequences;
- antibiotics - reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
Before undergoing the procedure, the doctor warns that there are certain rules that must be followed. Only following the recommendations will allow wrinkles on the forehead to smooth out and prevent the development of complications.
Question answer
Many ladies are afraid to even try botulinum toxin injections on themselves, as they consider Botox a poison.
But this is a mistaken opinion. The drug is absolutely safe if you follow all recommendations. The dosage of botulinum toxin itself is acceptable and does not harm human health. This substance is also used to treat neurological pathologies, where up to a thousand units of this component are taken. To eliminate wrinkles, the dosage does not exceed 50 units. The result directly depends on the dosage and technique of the procedure. In the modern world, the vast majority of qualified doctors strive to achieve naturalness after injections. Therefore, to avoid facing a mask-like face, go to a good doctor.
This product is used not only when creases have already formed. It is actively used as a preventive measure. Even young girls can use such injections to wean themselves from wrinkling, for example, their forehead.
Botox injections during menstruation
It is believed that Botox injections can be done during menstruation, however, cosmetologists recommend rescheduling the procedure for a more favorable day of the cycle. The fact is that during this period the pain threshold decreases, the woman becomes more sensitive. There is an increased risk of minor bruising in the area of the procedure.
However, as we have already said, there are no direct contraindications, and if you need to look attractive on a specific day, a little discomfort from Botox injections can be tolerated and done during menstruation.
What Botox does not work on
After Botox injections, there is no circulatory disturbance, muscle atrophy or facial expression disturbance. Despite the fact that nerve impulses are blocked to the muscle and it ceases to be active, oxygen and nutrients are supplied to it throughout the entire period of botulinum toxin removal.
It is worth noting that with the help of Botox you can only get rid of wrinkles; it is not able to influence the size, tighten or sculpt the contours. Therefore, if the patient has weakness of the facial muscles caused by age-related changes, Botox injections will be ineffective in this case.
Botulinum toxin only affects dynamic (expression) wrinkles formed as a result of active facial expressions, so it is impossible to eliminate wrinkles from areas such as the chin and cheeks.
It has also been recorded that botulinum toxin is not effective when drinking alcohol before and after the procedure, so it is very important to avoid it for at least a week.
Reviews
Having learned how much not to drink alcohol, many people are interested in reviews from other patients. They come in a wide variety, but you should never focus on any specific case.
ANNA, 45 YEARS OLD:
“Lately I have been regularly undergoing the procedure with a professional cosmetologist.
I didn’t drink alcohol either after or before the injection, as I have a friend who felt all the negative effects from it. Her face simply became a mask, and it took her a long time to get rid of it. I prefer not to take risks, I don’t drink for two weeks and I feel fine, fortunately I don’t look my age at 45.”
INNA, 55 YEARS OLD:
“I had a Botox injection once, but the cosmetologist did not warn me about the possible consequences of drinking alcohol.
That same evening I drank a glass of wine and the allergy started. Moreover, the effect of the procedure lasted two months, instead of the stated six. I don’t take risks like that anymore, because looks are more valuable. I’m still thinking about going for this type of rejuvenation, I’ve already read about all the restrictions.”
IVANNA, 54 YEARS OLD:
“Before and after the procedure, I consulted with a professional and was warned about the dangers and risks. After a week had passed, I drank a little wine, but there were no consequences, although I was afraid and apprehensive. In fact, everything is not as scary as they say, but precautions must be taken!”
