If you want to smooth away wrinkles with a simple injection and have results that last for months, there are few options more effective than Botox injections. Botox is a form of botulinum toxin injection that can transform facial muscles around stubborn areas on your face.
If you have decided to take the plunge and get Botox treatment, it is extremely important that you follow your doctor’s orders for exercise after Botox.
Is there a way to hasten the effects of Botox and improve longevity? There are medically proven facial exercises after Botox that can help.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- 💉Which facial exercise after Botox you should use.
- 🤗How to care for your Botox for the best results!
- 🕰 Can you use facial exercises to extend the life of your Botox?
- 😆Should you scrunch your face after Botox?
If you have just had or are planning to have Botox, you will want to learn about facial exercises and how mewing can help. Take this quiz to learn more!
Facial Exercises After Botox Injections
Many people schedule an appointment to have Botox with the expectation that they will instantaneously have a youthful appearance.
While Botox does offer quick results, are you aware that it can take 3 or 4 days for the injections to take full effect? According to a research study by Northwestern University Feinberg School, lead study author Dr. Murad Alam found evidence that exercise speeds up the results.
They had two groups of participants; one performed exercises afterwards, and the other group did not. After 6 months, they switched groups. The Northwestern medicine physician noted both the participants noticed the facial exercise speeds up the botox work. the conventional wisdom to avoid exercise after Botox does not extend to facial muscles.
With the right exercises, you can see results within the first 24 hours. It is important to choose exercises that do not require applying pressure to your face, as this can cause Botox to migrate.
Here are the most effective options available to you:
1. If you haven’t tried Mewing yet, this is the time
Maybe you have heard about mewing but haven’t investigated it further. If this is the case, you’ll want to do it now. Take a look at an introduction to mewing to find out how to get started. Mewing is the perfect option for improving Botox results because it is highly effective and it does not require applying pressure.
When time is of the essence, it is particularly essential to know how to do it properly. The basics involve the proper placement of the tongue in the rough of the mouth and closed lip positioning. As with any new exercise, it’s best to get professional guidance before you are ready to continue on your own.
Just as you would seek the assistance of a personal trainer when starting a new exercise regime, we suggest enlisting the assistance of the Mewing.coach App. Use the app to get precise toning facial exercises designed to help you get the most out of receiving Botox.
2. Eyebrow raises
Gently raise your eyebrows as high as possible, hold them for a few seconds, and then relax. Perform these raised motions 10-15 times. If you have Botox for forehead wrinkles or to reduce forehead frown lines, this is essential.
3. Smiling and frowning
Smile as wide as you can, then relax and frown, pulling your eyebrows together. Alternate between smiling and frowning 10-15 times. This will aid in the Botox work to take effect on crow’s feet wrinkles.
4. Cheek lifts
Gently lift the corners of your mouth toward your ears in a wide smile, then relax. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times.
5. Lip pursing and puckering
Purse your lips together as if you were blowing a kiss, then pucker your lips as if you were whistling. Alternate between these two movements 10-15 times.
6. Chin lifts
Tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling. Pucker your lips as if you were trying to kiss the ceiling, and hold the position for a few seconds. Relax and bring your head back to a neutral position. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times.
7. Neck stretches
Gently tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear closer to your shoulder. Hold for a few seconds, then return to a neutral position. Repeat on the other side. Perform this stretch 5-10 times on each side.
The Role of Mewing in Facial Muscle Strengthening
Just as you need to exercise your body to strengthen your muscles, your face needs exercise too. Did you know that you have about 20 flat muscles in your face? If you neglect your glutes, they will begin to sag and become soft. The same is true of your facial muscles. The facial health benefits of mewing increase blood flow and prevent crows feet wrinkles.
To reduce wrinkles and if you are interested in exercises to get rid of buccal fat, mewing will help you with this. Mewing has been used for over 50 years to create more defined jawlines, re-align teeth, and correct unattractive facial features.
How Long Should You Wait to Exercise After Botox?
Although your doctor will inform you that you cannot exercise your body for four hours after Botox, they will most likely encourage you to perform facial exercises. Always consult with your doctor first, but chances are facial exercises will be recommended and help to hasten the effects of your injections.
Generally, you should wait at least four hours to exercise. Take a nice soapy bath to relax muscles, and put your feet up! Exercise puts pressure on your injection site and increases your blood flow, which could cause Botox to migrate. Facial exercises can be begun right away and the more often you perform them after your injections, the more effective they will be.
Can Botox Migrate after 24 Hours?
Botox can migrate in the first 24 hours, but you can see treatments effects as much as two weeks after injection if the site has not been treated properly. The quality of the initial injection is highly important in preventing migration. Make sure your plastic surgeon is board certified and recommended. An experienced doctor will know the methods for injecting the toxin in the right location and in the right way to reduce the risks of migration.
Should your Botox migrate, bear in mind that Botox is not a permanent treatment. Your body will eventually metabolize the Botox and the adverse effects will dissipate. However, if the migration is unsightly, you can visit a doctor and get an additional injection of hyaluronidase to counteract the effects. It may require multiple injections to fully correct the problem.
Botox migration can appear as excessive fullness, bumps under the eyes, or a distortion of facial features. The effects are undesirable and best avoided. Mewing can provide you with fantastic methods to erase glabellar lines and will not cause Botox migration.
What to Avoid After Botox Treatment?
Botox migration can have serious side effects such as droopy eyelids, and affect unintended areas. In order to prevent migration from Botox treatment and prevent bruising, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends you should avoid the following:
- Strenuous exercise (causes increased blood flow)
- Touching or rubbing the injection site
- Bending over or lying down
- Wearing tight headgear or facial gear
- Taking hot showers or baths
- Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine
- Using blood-thinning pain relievers
- Exposure to extreme heat or cold, including hot tubs
- Applying makeup or skincare products containing tretinoin (Retin-A)
- Undergoing facial procedures within the first two weeks after treatment
- Flying or traveling to high altitudes
- Getting a spray tan
- Wearing a tight shower cap
- Waxing, threading, or tweezing eyebrows
The Impact of Facial Exercises on Botox Longevity
How can you increase the longevity of the injectable fillers? Unfortunately, facial exercises are not the solution. Your normal facial expressions will metabolize the toxin in 3-6 months according to Hilton Head Plastic Surgeons. However, there are other ways you can help your injections to last longer.
- Limit your sun exposure and always utilize a quality sunscreen
- Drink lots of water to keep your skin well hydrated
- Limit frowning, squinting, and smiling excessively
- Avoid stress and practice self-care to reduce the effects of stress
- Don’t smoke and drink alcohol conservatively
- Take a zinc supplement to aid in the production of collagen and healthy cells
- Maintain a diet high in nutrient-rich foods
For targeted exercises to lift drooping mouth corners naturally and complement your Botox treatment, you can incorporate specific facial exercises. Learn more about “How to Lift Drooping Mouth Corners With 5 Exercises” to enhance your results further.
Should You Scrunch Your Face After Botox?
Practicing mewing and other facial exercises after your Botox injection will help the toxin to take effect faster. But if you want the effects of Botox to last, you should avoid excessive facial expressions like scrunching your face. Natural methods for making your face skin more elastic will not limit your facial expressions. If you have an especially expressive face, you might consider a natural solution before you try Botox.
Takeaway
Always follow the post-treatment guidelines from your plastic surgeons and consult your doctor for their professional advice for your treatment. If they have been advised against using a straw, make sure you follow their advice. The effects of migration can be unattractive and not so easy to correct so it’s worth the extra effort to be sure you don’t experience adverse effects.
To experience beautiful effects from Botox in a shorter time period, incorporate Mewing and other facial exercises that do not require you to touch your face. If you are undecided about trying Botox, give Mewing a try first! It is a completely natural and low-cost option for changing your facial features without any side effects.
