ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS

You must not use any NSAIDs or blood thinning supplements for at least one week after the treatment and discontinue the consumption of alcohol and caffeine for at least 72 hours after the treatment - the chemicals in these products have a blood thinning effect on the body, reducing its ability to clot and exacerbating bruising and swelling.

You must avoid laying down flat for at least six hours after treatment - this is because there is a small possibility that the product could migrate away from its intended location, causing temporary paralysis of the surrounding muscles and leading to complications.

You must sleep on your back, face up, with the head slightly elevated to help reduce swelling (if the treatment was carried out on, or above the neck line), until the swelling has completely subsided - elevating a swollen area above the level of the heart helps the extra fluid to move back towards the heart for circulation to other parts of the body, thus reducing swelling faster and more efficiently.
It is possible to displace the administered product if excessive force is applied to the treated area such as when sleeping sideways, this could result in the product migrating away from its intended location, causing temporary paralysis of the surrounding muscles and leading to complications.

You must avoid activities that involve the radiation of heat or an increase to core body temperature such as sun bathing, saunas, and hot tubs, for at least one week after the treatment, as this will exacerbate swelling - swelling is caused by bleeding in the tissue, and heat draws more blood to the area, exacerbating swelling.

You must avoid strenuous exercise for at least one week after the treatment for multiple reasons - exercise leads to sweating, and sweat can mix with the bacteria on the skin, contaminating the treated area and leading to infection. In addition to this, exercise also increases core body temperature and blood flow, which can exacerbate bruising and swelling as more blood is drawn to the treated area. An increase in blood flow will also accelerate the metabolism of the administered product before its diffusion and tissue integration are complete, which will lead to substandard results.
Straining the face along with an increase in blood flow, could also result in the product migrating away from its intended location, causing temporary paralysis of the surrounding muscles and leading to complications.

You must not use topical hair or skin care products and must avoid any hair removal or hair dying treatments for at least 48 hours after the treatment - this can lead to skin irritation.
If a subsequent treatment is due to be applied in close proximity to the treated area, this may only be done once it has fully healed.

You must drink plenty of water (4-5 litres, daily) for at least two weeks after the treatment and must not consume alcohol, caffeine or foods with diuretic or dehydrating effects on the body for at least 72 hours after the treatment - water is a major component of the blood and dehydration reduces the bodies blood volume, which reduces oxygen and nutrient delivery to the wound bed, impairing wound healing and therefore recovery.

You must avoid touching the treated area or applying make up for at least six hours after the treatment to avoid exposing the treated area to any bacteria - leading to infection.

You must not fly for at least two weeks after the treatment - the changes in cabin pressure can cause blood vessels to leak into the treated areas, which will dramatically increase swelling and bruising.
Changes in cabin pressure could also result in the product migrating away from its intended location, causing temporary paralysis of the surrounding muscles and leading to complications.

You must avoid the application of pressure against the treated area or the surrounding areas for at least one week after the treatment, this means avoiding tight fitting clothing or accessories and treatments that involve firm pressure or massages - this can cause irritation to the treated area and displace the administered product.
Caps and other tight-fitting headwear can also force the product to migrate away from its intended location, causing temporary paralysis of the surrounding muscles and leading to complications.

You should avoid or limit cigarettes and vapes where possible for as long as possible after the treatment - smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and narrows the blood vessels, impairing wound healing and therefore recovery.

You may apply a sterile, cold compress to the treated area, to help reduce swelling, until the swelling has completely subsided - cold temperatures will help to constrict the blood vessels, decreasing circulation and reducing swelling.

You may take anti-histamines, as directed by the manufacturer, to help reduce swelling, until the swelling has completely subsided - histamine is a chemical that causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell. Anti-histamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, which reduces swelling.

You may take acetaminophen or paracetamol to help manage any discomfort after the treatment.

You may repeatedly contract or use the treated muscle for one hour after the treatment - this will enable the treatment to be more effective as it will increase product utilisation in the targeted muscle groups.

If you have been supplementing with Arnica tablets prior to the treatment, continue supplementation with Arnica tablets for one week after the treatment, as directed by the manufacturer. You may also use topical Arnica, as directed by the manufacturer, until swelling and bruising has subsided. Arnica is believed to lead to vasodilation, the opening of blood vessels - this inhibits blood and other fluids from accumulating in the treated area, which helps to reduce swelling and enables the body to re-absorb any bruising.

If you have previously suffered from cold sores and are having anti-wrinkle injections administered in close proximity to the mouth area, there is a risk that the needle punctures from the treatment could contribute to another eruption of cold sores - if cold sore medication (such as Acyclovir) was started two days prior to the treatment, continue to take the medication after the treatment until the area has fully healed to help mitigate this risk.

After the treatment, there may be mild bleeding, scabbing, slight redness, bruising, swelling, tenderness and an itching sensation in the treated area - this is a normal side effect of the treatment and generally disappears after a few days - if any of these symptoms continue after a week, or if any other reactions occur, please contact the clinic.
You may also experience headaches and forehead tightness if the muscles in the forehead have been treated.

If the needle makes contact with a blood vessel - the blood vessel can leak and cause an internal bruise, this is known as a hematoma which is essentially a word used to describe a bad bruise. A hematoma occurs when blood leaks outside of a blood vessel, it can look dark in colour and feel lumpy but the blood will be re-absorbed by the body and the colour and texture will soon return to normal. It can take up to two weeks for a hematoma to resolve and they often appear worse before improving.

If a lump appears please do not massage it, as it is likely swelling. If a lump that has been caused by swelling and trauma is massaged, it will become aggravated and cause further inflammation. It is best to leave the lump alone and let it heal. If a lump has not resolved on its own within two weeks, contact the clinic for further advise.
If a lump caused by administered product is massaged, it could also result in the product migrating away from its intended location, causing temporary paralysis of the surrounding muscles and leading to complications.

On rare occasions, Azzalure may migrate into nearby muscles, leading to adverse reactions such as drooping. If this occurs, it is typically short-lived and tends to resolve spontaneously without the need for further interventions within a few weeks. Some studies suggest that regularly contracting the affected muscle and using stimuli, such as vibration (for example, applying the back of an electric toothbrush directly onto the affected muscle), can accelerate the resolution of this issue.

If the toxin migrates into the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, this can cause temporary drooping of the upper eyelid (known as eyelid ptosis). If this occurs, studies have suggested that Iopidine eye drops (apraclonidine 0.5%) can accelerate the resolution of this issue.

IF YOU EXPERIENCE MUSCLE WEAKNESS, VISION PROBLEMS, LOSS OF BLADDER CONTROL, DIFFICULTY BREATHING OR DIFFICULTY SPEAKING AND/OR SWALLOWING CONTACT THE CLINIC IMMEDIATELY.

Although results may be noticeable relatively quickly after the treatment, the toxin will continue to work for up to two weeks. It is for this reason that the best results of the treatment are not visible until two weeks after the treatment.

It will take one treatment with an optional top up dose two weeks after the initial treatment to achieve optimum results. Once the desired result has been achieved, a subsequent appointment will only be required when the effect of the anti-wrinkle injections has started to diminish.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONERNS FOLLOWING THE TREATMENT, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US!