Botulinum Toxin works on the targeted muscles by relaxing them till they are weakened or paralysed (dependent on dose on method of injecting). The side effects of Botulinum Toxin type A vary depending on which part of the face or body we are injecting.

Some potential mild side effects of Botox includes:

1. Bruising – This is a potential side effect with all injections. Your injector will always try to avoid areas with obvious vasculature running, but it is difficult to 100% avoid all blood vessels, especially the deeper ones. It is a transient side effect that usually goes away in a few days to week.
2. Swelling – If this happens, you may hold a cold compress to the injection site very gently. Put it on and off for 5 seconds each time for a total of 5 minutes.
3. Headaches – This is most relevant to patients who have done forehead Botulinum Toxin injections. While it is often difficult to ascertain if the headache was entirely due to the injection, they are often self-limiting and goes away in a few hours to days. Taking oral painkillers, hydrating with more water and going for light exercises like walking may help. Ironically, Botox has been FDA-approved to reduce chronic migraines in adults since 2010. 

Very rarely, Botulinum Toxin can cause other more serious side effects. These include allergic reactions or botulism poisoning (breathing/swallowing difficulty, general muscle weakness, etc.). The frequency for serious side effects is more common in patients who use it for therapeutic cases than cosmetic reasons. If this occurs, please seek medical attention immediately.

To maximise results of your Botulinum Toxin injections:

BEFORE

• Avoid supplements (e.g. ginseng, gingko, garlic, omega-3, vitamin E, etc.) and medications like NSAIDs 5-10 days prior to your injection
• Avoid wearing make-up on your day of injection to reduce risk of infection. Our in-house therapist will ensure the injection sites are properly and thoroughly cleansed. Our doctor will also use aseptic technique to ensure safety. However surrounding make-up can potentially spread over your injection sites so it is ideal to come to the clinic with bare skin.

AFTER

• Do NOT touch the injection sites for at least 2-3 days after injection to prevent infection and contamination. You may still proceed with normal skincare, but be very gentle around the injection sites. For additional safety, always wash your face in an outward direction.
• Do NOT massage/apply pressure or do facial immediately after your Botulinum Toxin injection for at least one week. This is to prevent migration of your Botulinum Toxin to muscles which were not meant to be treated, which may result in droopiness of eyelids or brows, asymmetry in smile, etc. depending on the area treated. This includes NO full body massages where you will be required to lie face down on a massage chair with a face cut-out.
• Do NOT do any vigorous exercise for 3-5 days after your BTX treatment.
• Avoid alcohol up to 3-5 days after your injections. Alcohol beverages can increase the risk of bruising. 

HA Fillers are used to help fill up sunken regions on the face or body.

HA Fillers Aftercare:

• Do NOT massage your fillers without your healthcare professional’s advice. Often, your healthcare provider would place the fillers at the region they are trying to treat. Massaging can sometimes result in delayed bruising or migration of your fillers.
• Practise good facial skincare and AVOID make-up for a full 48h after your fillers injection. Avoid AHA/Retinols/Vit C for 24-48h after your injection. This is to prevent risk of infection from any injection site into your fillers. The contamination can some times manifest only weeks to months later.
• Do NOT do strenuous exercise for 3 days after to prevent excessive movement of fillers and reduce risk of contamination.
• Do NOT do facial or face massage for 1-2 weeks after your fillers injection.
• Do NOT expose yourself to excessive heat and UV rays (e.g. sun, tanning beds, sauna, hot yoga) for 3-5 days after your HA filler treatment.
• Arnica (topical and oral) can be used to help improve bruising. Arnica is a plant-based product that you can apply topically or consume orally. It also helps alleviate swelling and pain. Contact us if you would like to purchase topical/oral Arnica.
• Try sleeping on your back as much as possible for 1-2 weeks after your treatment date when HA fillers injections are done on your face. This allows your HA fillers to integrate naturally into your body without external pressure exerted on the HA fillers to change its shape.

Biostimulators can come in all forms, including PDO, PDLLA, PCL or CaHa. Depending on which type your healthcare professional has used for you, he/she would have more specific post-treatment instructions for you. However in general, biostimulators are meant to stimulate your skin to produce more collage gradually over time. The aftercare would entail reducing any bruise or swelling and maintain general hygiene to prevent infection.

Biostimulators Aftercare:

• Practise good facial skincare and AVOID make-up for a full 48h after your fillers injection. Avoid AHA/Retinols/Vit C for 24-48h after your injection. This is to prevent risk of infection from any injection site into your fillers. The contamination can some times manifest only weeks to months later.
• Do NOT do strenuous exercise for 3 days after to prevent excessive movement of fillers and reduce risk of contamination.
• Do NOT do facial or face massage for 1-2 weeks after your fillers injection.
• Do NOT expose yourself to excessive heat and UV rays (e.g. sun, tanning beds, sauna, hot yoga) for 3-5 days after your HA filler treatment.
• Arnica (topical and oral) can be used to help improve bruising. Arnica is a plant-based product that you can apply topically or consume orally. It also helps alleviate swelling and pain. Contact us if you would like to purchase topical/oral Arnica.