How Long Do You Have to Keep Your Head Upright After Botox and Fillers?

Botox and dermal filler treatments are popular cosmetic injectables that help remove wrinkles and fine lines in the least invasive way possible. Both treatments are simple, convenient, and have zero downtime unlike plastic surgery. But although the cosmetic procedure is uncomplicated, one thing that people need to follow post-treatment is maintaining an upright position.

So how long do you have to keep your head elevated or upright after receiving a facial filler or Botox injection? Patients should wait until 4 to 6 hours after the treatment before they can move, bend, or lie their heads down. Staying in an upright position will prevent the increase of blood flow and risk of diffusion in the treated area and will allow the filler material or neurotoxin injection to set in and produce desired effects.

Learn More: Which Filler Should You Get To Avoid the Tyndall Effect?

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How Long Should You Maintain an Upright Position After Botox and Fillers?

It’s possible to return to your normal activities without any downtime after getting injectable fillers and Botox treatment for wrinkles. However, you may experience common side effects like injection site pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness which is why a patient is advised to take it easy and be careful in accidentally touching or putting pressure on the injected area.

Most cosmetic doctors recommend keeping your head in an upright position for at least 4 to 6 hours after the injection. It’s important to observe this when you receive the treatment in the upper facial area such as the forehead to avoid unintentional migration of toxins to other facial muscles which can reduce its effectiveness in the intended treatment area.

You should also limit napping, sleeping, or lying down immediately after the injection procedure. While it’s common to think about resting, you should also wait for several hours after injection before you can lie on the bed. When you can finally relax on the bed, try to avoid lying on the side and put extra pillows around you to prevent moving around while sleeping.

Why Is Sitting up Recommended After Getting Botox or Filler Treatment

To understand why keeping your head upright is important, let’s look at the basics of Botox and dermal fillers as cosmetic procedures.

As an anti wrinkle injection, Botox is made of botulinum toxin and it works by relaxing the muscles to stop muscle contraction which thereby reduces the appearance of wrinkles and facial lines. On the other hand, facial and lip fillers are soft injectable gel materials usually made of hyaluronic acid and they’re used to add volume, improve contours, and erase deep wrinkles and facial folds.

Here are some of the things that could happen if you don’t follow dermal fillers or Botox aftercare instructions:

Increased swelling or bruising for several days: When you move excessively or fail to maintain an upright position after Botox, there could be a risk of increasing blood circulation which can worsen swelling and bruising in the face. This can also prolong your healing time and cause a great deal of inconvenience to your daily activities.
Bad Botox or dermal filler results: The initial results of your cosmetic procedure will depend on your level of activity after treatment. The increased blood flow could increase the risk of diffusion of the botulinum toxin injection and lessen the treatment effectiveness and potentially cause unwanted adverse effects like muscle weakness or a droopy eyelid.
Unwanted bumps or uneven areas from displaced fillers: Moving or leaning forward may also cause dermal filler material to be displaced and could lead to bumps or lumps in other areas. This could cause some areas of your skin surface to appear uneven and you may need to get hyaluronidase injections to dissolve the filler.

Are Botox and Dermal Fillers Only for Facial Wrinkles?

Although Botox is a well-known wrinkle relaxer, it can also be used for the management of excessive sweating, chronic migraine prevention, overactive bladder, cervical dystonia, and neck spasms. Meanwhile, dermal fillers can be used to tighten skin, re-plump cheeks and lips, improve the shape of the chin, enhance jawline profile and contour, and reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Other Botox and Dermal Fillers Aftercare Tips

You can minimize potential side effects and ensure that you get the best results from your cosmetic injectables by following aftercare guidelines. Here are other dos and don’ts that you need to know after receiving Botox cosmetic and dermal filler treatments:

Don’t work out or do any strenuous exercise for several days after treatment. Exercising increases your heart rate and at the same time increases your blood pressure which should be avoided since this can aggravate swelling and bruising in the treated area. It’s best to wait for 24 to 48 hours after treatment before engaging in any physical activity.
Don’t enter saunas, tanning beds, or hot baths. You should avoid any exposure to heat or sun since this could also increase blood pressure and worsen bruising. Showering after Botox or dermal fillers is okay but make sure that you're not getting a hot shower and use only lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t get any other facial or skin treatments for at least a week. To allow the injections to kick in smoothly, you should avoid getting other cosmetic treatments that require touching or rubbing the face like a facial massage, exfoliation, or scrubs.
Do gently apply a cold compress or ice pack to help reduce swelling. You can minimize swelling at home with the help of cold compress. Be sure to gently place them on the surrounding area for at least 5 to 10 minutes every hour. You can also use Arnica gels or supplements to reduce bruising and tenderness during recovery.
Do avoid taking blood-thinning medication and other supplements that can increase bruising. Prior to your injection, you should stop taking aspirin, Advil, and herbal supplements that contain vitamin E, garlic, ginseng, and turmeric since they could contribute to bruising and affect your healing.
Do exercise your facial muscles after receiving Botox. It’s said that simple facial exercises like frowning, squinting, or raising eyebrows can help Botox effects to show faster.

Get Safe Botox and Dermal Filler Injections at Aesthetica

woman receiving a dermal filler injection in her cheek

Following post-treatment reminders can help you reap the excellent results of Botox and dermal filler injections. At Aesthetica, our skin specialists and aesthetic doctors can assist you in making sure you get the most out of your cosmetic injectable treatment.

All Botox appointment and dermal filler procedures are done in our state-of-the-art clinic facilities to ensure your safety and comfort. Talk to one of our aesthetic practitioners today to learn more about your treatment options or contact us to book an appointment.