Injectables such as Botox and fillers are considered by many as the holy grail of anti-aging beauty treatments.
Quick, painless, and with next to no downtime required, they are by far one of the most popular and effective ways to slow down the signs of aging and maintain a youthful appearance.
From smoothing out wrinkles to preventing new ones from forming, and lifting, augmenting, or plumpening your skin’s appearance, injectables have made it easier than ever to keep our external appearance reflecting the same youthful vibrancy we feel inside.
However… as amazing as injectables are, they’re only ever going to get you so far if you don’t also look after the health of your skin. And this is why it’s so important to combine your treatments with a quality skincare routine.
From making your injectables' results last longer to simply ensuring your skin will always look and feel its best, a quality skincare routine is vital.
So, how does skincare affect the results of your injectables, and what does your skincare routine need to look like? Read on to find out…
Why people with injectables neglect their skincare
If you’re already prioritizing injectables as part of your must-do beauty routine but have neglected to pay the same attention to your skincare regime, don’t worry, you’re not alone!
The instantaneous and visibly noticeable results that come from Botox and dermal fillers are a big reason behind this. When you can literally see the years turning back overnight, it’s easy to feel that injectables are the answer to all your skin-aging problems and focus all your attention on that.
Whereas skincare is entirely different. You’ll never notice the results overnight in the same way you will from injectables, which is why so many people prioritize their treatments over using the best skincare products on a daily basis.
But skincare is about playing the long game. With a quality skincare routine using quality products, you will notice the difference over time, we assure you. Because skincare is about the inner health of your skin, and the healthier your skin is the better it will look and the slower it will age.
And when you combine quality skincare with injectables? Well, you’re onto a solid winner.
It’s a lot like diet and exercise: you need to focus on the inside as well as the outside for the best and longest-lasting results. And while you’ll get a good result with one, you’ll get much better results from both.
Why skincare matters to injectables
There are two main reasons why skincare matters to injectables:
#1 Good skincare enhances the results of your Botox and fillers.
Botox and fillers can drastically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and restore volume to the face. However, the healthier the foundation of your skin, the better those results will be.
If your skin is already soft, supple, and deeply hydrated, you will enjoy far-enhanced skin-smoothing results from your injectable treatments. Plus, by properly caring for your skin you’ll also develop far fewer wrinkles and lose less volume, meaning you’ll need fewer injectable treatments in the long run.
#2 Skincare can handle the things that injectables can’t.
Injectables only target specific surface issues on the skin. They don’t address other skin concerns such as sun damage, water loss, pigmentation issues, volume loss, texture, and skin laxity – which all significantly impact the appearance and youthfulness of skin.
A good skincare routine is all about protecting the skin from external aggressors and ensuring it’s nourished and hydrated from within, which helps prevent or slow down wrinkles and other signs of aging from developing.
What skincare should I use after Botox or fillers?
Generally speaking, you can continue with your regular skincare routine after injectables, there isn’t any need to use different products.
However, there are a number of tips and guidelines to help you maximize your injectables results and avoid any risk of bruising or swelling, the most important of which – when it comes to skincare – is to avoid touching or massaging your face as much as possible for at least 24 hours after your injectable treatments.
You may also want to avoid using exfoliants and more “active” ingredients, such as retinol, in the days just before and after your treatment. While a powerful and highly recommended skincare ingredient at all other times, injectables can make your skin more sensitive for a few days, and stronger active ingredients such as retinoids can sometimes cause irritation.
Facial treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments should also be scheduled for at least a week after an injectable treatment.
Other than this, there are no specific changes you need to make to your skincare regimen.
In fact, it’s more a case of ensuring you have a great skincare routine in place, and are using high-quality products that support your skin’s function.
The best skincare products you can treat your skin with are medical-grade, also known as cosmeceutical. We understand that budget can be a big factor when it comes to skincare products, but it’s important to remember that the higher the quality, the better the results will be, and the fewer total products you’ll need.
Cosmeceutical products contain active ingredients that have been clinically proven to yield specific aesthetic results as well as improve skin health, and while they’ll usually be a little pricier than other over-the-counter products, they’ll have far more noticeable results.
Medical-grade skincare products are only available from licensed practitioners, so another benefit is that you’ll know you’re using the optimal products for your individual skin needs, and your practitioner will be able to advise you if you need to avoid using any product in the days around your injectable treatment.
Here at BodyTonic in Cleveland, we love the award-winning SkinBetter range. Their technology is exceptional, there’s a product to suit every need, and when used alongside Botox and filler treatments, the results are simply incredible.
The best skincare to support your injectables
The four basic staples of all and any skincare routine are to cleanse, moisturize, hydrate, and protect.
However, in the quest for the ultimate youthful skin, there are certain products and ingredients that are particularly beneficial, and which will elevate the results of your injectables when used regularly and long-term:
SPF 30+ Sunscreen
UV damage is the primary cause of aging skin, so daily application of a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen is simply a non-negotiable.
Retinoids
One of the most famous anti-aging skincare ingredients, retinoids increase collagen production and increase skin cell turnover, meaning they're capable of improving skin texture and tone, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, decreasing pore size, and generating an overall glow. The best retinoids are prescription-strength, such as SkinBetter’s AlphaRet range which is regularly recommended as one of the best available products in the market. While it’s sometimes recommended to avoid retinoids in the days around your injectable treatments, this is one of the core ingredients you want to ensure you’re using the rest of the time.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help protect against and repair damage from free radicals, even out skin tone, and reduce the appearance of brown spots and hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C is a particularly powerful antioxidant that also plays a vital role in the formation of collagen, meaning a high-quality Vitamin C-based serum such as SkinBetter’s Alto Defense is a powerful addition to your daily skincare routine.
Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizers
Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized is a vital part of keeping wrinkles at bay, so a quality moisturizer is an absolute must to support the results of your Botox injections. Look for moisturizers that contain powerhouse ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Supercharge your skincare at BodyTonic, Cleveland
Here at BodyTonic Med Spa we can help you curate your optimal skincare routine to support the results of your injectables and other skin-rejuvenation treatments, using the best cosmeceutical products in the market.
And once you see the results, you’ll only wish you’d started using these products sooner.
So if you’re in the Cleveland area, come and see us for a completely free and no-obligation consultation. We’ll use our 7th Generation VISIA® Skin Analysis System to analyze your skin at a deeper level, identify your skin's unique needs, and recommend the very best skincare products to support the results of your injectables and other skin treatments.
Get in touch today, and let’s supercharge your skincare!
