6 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Injections at Home
Injectables like Botox and dermal fillers have become the fountain of youth in today’s society. But, what happens when a worldwide pandemic keeps you from your routine maintenance appointments at your favorite aesthetics center? It’s not a thought that’s ever crossed your mind, right? Ours either! The good news is, you’ve got home-bound options and we’re here to share them with you! Keep reading for six great ways to help your injections last as long as possible.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Overexposure to UVA and UVB rays, as well as unprotected exposure to heat, infrared and blue-light rays is responsible for over 80% of age-related skin changes. The sun’s rays are powerful enough to penetrate the tint on your car windows! That makes you regret all those years in the tanning bed, right? We highly recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day regardless of if you are going to be outside all day or not. And if you are going to be outdoors, be sure to reapply your SPF every 2 hours.
Use Medical-Grade Skin Care Products
Skin that is full of healthy collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid is smoother, plumper and more hydrated. This results in less fines lines, wrinkles and folds. Products like our Alastin Restorative Nectar removes old, damaged structures to make way for healthy structures. This is why we recommend this product to our patients before we explore further treatment options. Another great product from Alastin is the Restorative Skin Complex, which stimulates the growth of new collagen and elastin. There are very few other products out there that work like Alastin and that the importance of elastin fibers.
Think of collagen as the fluff on top of your mattress and the elastin fibers as your springs. You need both! No one wants just a fluffy mattress with a big sunken space in the middle of it, right?
If you’ve been following us on Instagram, you’ve seen that we carry another product line called, ZO Skin Health by Dr. Zein Obagi. This is another amazing skincare line that treats everything from dark spots caused by sun damage to acne and rosacea. One anti-aging spotlight product from this line is the Daily Power Defense, which repairs DNA structure, stimulates collagen products, fights free radicals, contains antioxidants and restores natural moisture to skin. Another great product from ZO Skin Health is the Growth Factor Serum, which uses real growth factors to strengthen the skin. You won’t need a moisturizer ever again if you use any of these products.
The MAC offers free online skincare consultations. If you’d like to book an appointment, call or text us at 405-341-6223, or send us an email!
Maintain a Healthy Diet
It’s no secret that we are what we eat – and what we eat is evident in the health of our skin. A diet rich in nutrients and green vegetables will do wonders for your skin health and really help extend the life of your injections! Sugary and processed foods have been linked to premature signs of aging, so it’s important to limit your intake or avoid it altogether if you can!
If you’re struggling with your diet, the MAC offers online weight management consultations to help you find the right diet and lifestyle solutions for you. If you’d like to schedule a free initial consultation, send us an email or give us a call at 405-341-6223.
Hydrate
One thing you may hear a lot from us after getting injections is that “filler loves water!” That’s because your filler is made up of hyaluronic acid, a natural occurring molecule in our bodies. When we are hydrated, our filler will look plumper – so drink up! Adequate hydration also positively effects our skin’s elasticity and texture. As a general rule, you should be sure to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day!
Manage Your Stress
Hey, don’t stress! Easier said than done, we know. But, it’s important to know that stress causes an overproduction of cortisol in your body, which has been linked to weight gain and unwanted signs of aging. Try setting aside 15 minutes each day (even better if you can do it in the morning) to sit quietly, breathe, listen to music, or just do something that feels good and relaxes you. You’ll be amazed at the shift you’ll feel when you take time to just be with yourself. And, this will impact your skin health much more than you think!
Exercise
I bet you thought we were going to say exercise increases the lifespan of your Botox and filler here, didn’t you? Nope! It actually has the opposite effect on some patients. Professional athletes and avid gym goers often experience a decreased lifespan of their neurotoxins and fillers. This is thought to be caused by their high metabolic rates.
But, this isn’t an excuse to skip leg day! Rather, when you’re working out home, try to avoid making overly animated facial expressions like scowling or pursing your lips. When you exercise these muscles, it actually strengthens them and gives them a workout. That’s not what we want. We want to keep them weak so they can’t contract and wrinkle your skin up!
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These are all great alternatives to keep in mind while our doors are closed and we’re all at home.
However, it’s important to note that the best way to improve the longevity of your injections is to stay on top of your routine maintenance appointments. Think of this: If you skipped the gym for 2 years, you wouldn’t be able to do the same things you can do now. It’s the same way with your Botox and derma fillers. If you keep these muscles weak with routine treatments, it will take longer for them to regain the strength that caused your unwanted wrinkles in the first place.
When your favorite aesthetics center opens back up, be sure to stay on top of your maintenance treatments! And for the time being, take advantage of our online consultations, so you know what you need and are ready to go as soon as we open!