Injectable products like Botox and dermal fillers are a fantastic way to reverse common signs of aging. They’re a worthwhile investment in your anti-aging routine to get rid of wrinkles fast, perfect your pout, and sculpt youthful cheekbones. But what can you do to maximize the results of your injections?

Here at Simply You by Stef MedSpa, our goal is to ensure you look amazing in between touch ups in our Winter Park medspa office. So we’re going to share our best aftercare tips for Botox and dermal filler that will keep you smooth, contoured and ready to wow. 

What to Expect

Immediately following your injections, experience some swelling and bruising, both of which are totally normal. Gel ice packs and arnica are your BFFs for a few days. Keep in mind, it can take up to 14 days to see your final result.

Before Your Treatment 

First, let’s start with what to do before your procedure to help minimize the chance of bruising/swelling.

• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours prior to treatment. 
• Avoid blood thinning over-the-counter medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin and Aleve) and supplements (ginkgo biloba, primrose oil, flaxseed, fish oil, ginseng and vitamin E) for ten days prior to your treatment.
• If you are prone to cold sores, injections can contribute to an outbreak so please let us know prior to your treatment.

Day of Treatment 

On your procedure date, arrive at the office with a clean face — washed and makeup free, if possible.

We may use a topical anesthetic or inject a local numbing medication to maximize your comfort. 

Aftercare Tips: Extending the Life of Your Botox and Dermal Filler

Congratulations on making your self-care a priority! Let’s get straight to what you should NOT do after injections. 

• Do not rub or massage the injected area for 24 hours. Avoid any pressure on the treated areas. 
• Avoid strenuous exercise such as weightlifting, running or yoga for 24 hours. It can contribute to increased bruising and migration of your Botox/filler to unintended areas. 
• Wait 24 hours before consuming blood thinning medication.
• Avoid facials, facial massages and exfoliating scrubs for at least 24 hours, unless you are seeing Desiree.
• Avoid hats and helmets for a minimum of 24 hours as the weight and pressure can disperse Botox and flatten filler. 
• For lip injections, avoid puckering the lips for 24 hours. No straws, water bottles, popsicles and definitely no cigarettes or e-cigarettes. A sweet kiss is ok but keep the passion to a minimum for 24 hours!
• Avoid sun exposure for at least four hours. Avoid hot showers or baths, saunas, hot tubs and tanning beds.

All of those don’ts are a real drag, so let’s talk about what you SHOULD do after injections:

• Stay upright for a minimum of four to six hours. This is a great time for getting some work done or watching a movie, not so much for scrolling on social media.
• Take arnica supplements to minimize bruising or apply arnica gel. 
• Gently apply gel ice packs for 10 minutes every hour to help with pain and swelling. Remember, don’t press anything onto the area or you risk dispersing Botox/filler.
• Use Tylenol for any discomfort.
• Drink plenty of water. Hydrating your skin from within will bind to hyaluronic acid-based fillers, keeping you plump! 
• On the night after your treatment, elevate your head with an extra pillow to minimize swelling.
• Though extremely rare, call us immediately if you experience pain at the injection site or blanching of the skin. 

One of the most important things you should do after Botox and dermal fillers is to use quality skincare products like those we offer here at Simply You by Stef MedSpa. It’s nearly impossible to undo in the office the harmful things you do to your skin at home every day. Using medical grade skincare makes a whole lot of sense when you’re already investing in your anti-aging routine. 

Finally, sunscreen! It protects your skin and the life of your filler. Use SPF 30 or higher. Every. Single. Day.

Botox paired with dermal fillers is the secret to turning back the clock in minutes. One smooths out wrinkles and the other provides volume and contour to restore lost facial volume. Incorporate a medical-grade skincare routine, and you’ve got the winning combination to get the most out of your injections.

It’s finally spring and this year, more than ever, we are experiencing a feeling of rebirth as we emerge from the pandemic madness. The world is bright, fresh and lovely. Why not greet the season with bright, fresh and lovely skin and a renewed complexion? Here at our Winter Park Medspa, our goal is to help you achieve the renewed, fresh skin you desire.

In the world of anti-aging light treatments, the gold standard is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacials. We use an optimized, medical grade intense pulsed light system which, unlike lasers, uses many wavelengths of light. As a trained Physician’s Assistant, Stef is able to customize your treatment with special filters that deliver the best wavelengths to treat your specific aesthetic conditions. Here at Simply You by Stef Medspa, we are all about the IPL, and we’d like to share five ways we can help YOUR skin with this targeted treatment.

5 Ways IPL Revitalizes your Complexion

1. 1. Remove age spots. Ah, Florida sunshine.  It’s why we’re able to enjoy year-round beach days and ice-free winters, but it really can do a number on your skin. Age-revealing brown spots, red spots and veins are usually harmless, but they can be so annoying. IPL emits wavelengths of light that are absorbed by brown spots, red spots and veins. After the treatment, they darken and then fade away, leaving you with even skin tone. Many of our clients say they don’t even need foundation anymore after IPL removes all of their skin irregularities!
2. 2. Help older skin keep working like younger skin. Our chromosomes control the constant state of renewal and repair in our bodies. Gene expression is the complex code that resides in our chromosomes, controlling the structure and function of our genes. Stanford scientists recently demonstrated that treating older skin with a form of IPL transformed the skin’s patterns of gene expression to that of a person 5 to 10 years younger.
3. 3. Treat acne. In the last year, ‘maskne’ became a real struggle for many of our patients, and for some it led to persistent acne. It’s a perfect storm, as the masks keep moisture and bacteria close to the skin, blocking hair follicles with dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil (sebum). These blocked follicles cause pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts.  IPL is a very effective treatment option for acne, reducing oil production and the surface area of the sebaceous glands. The anti‐inflammatory effects of IPL also help reduce acne lesions. 
4. 4. Reduce pore size. Are you plagued by large pores that keep your makeup from applying smoothly and constantly collect oils and dirt? An IPL Photofacial at our Winter Park Medspa can help reduce the appearance of large pores. Enlarged pores are often reduced after IPL treatment as the light waves penetrate deeply into the skin.
5. 5. Stimulate collagen and elastin production. Your skin repairs itself after an IPL, shedding its dull, damaged outer layer to form supple, vibrant new skin. Collagen and elastin are skin-firming proteins that are produced in abundance during the healing process. This makes IPL a great way to counter the effects of age-related collagen loss.

Preparing for your IPL Treatment in Winter Park

Want to try IPL for yourself? First, make sure to stay out of the sun and avoid self-tanning or tanning beds for 3 to 4 weeks before an IPL treatment. The reason is that tanned skin interferes with the IPL light. The light will be drawn to the pigment, and it can’t distinguish between brown spots that are permanently on the skin and the pigment from a suntan. This will make your treatment less effective. We recommend wearing a hat and using sunblock any time you are outside in the weeks leading up to an IPL treatment. We also recommend a series of 4 treatments spaced 4 weeks apart. You’ll want to get started as early as possible so you can complete your treatment before the heat of summertime.

Skincare after your IPL Treatment

At Simply You by Stef, we offer a wide range of treatments that improve the appearance of the skin. We often combine IPL with other treatments to provide total skin rejuvenation. Our new VI Peel works beautifully when combined with an IPL and administered 2-3 weeks later. We offer a special price of $499 for an IPL and VI Peel combination.

To keep the glow going, we recommend following your IPL treatment with a daily antioxidant like the 30% Vitamin C Lotion from Revision Skincare. This powerful treatment contains a full line-up of antioxidants such as Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 to brighten dull skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness. Squalane hydrates for healthy, smooth skin. The 30% concentration, time-released formula is one of the most potent and effective Vitamin C products available. This spring, when you buy the 30% Vitamin C and Revision Intellishade, you can get a travel size Brightening Facial wash for free!

Get Sensational Skin This Spring with an IPL Treatment from our Winter Park Medical Spa

Make IPL a part of your spring skincare routine. It’s the perfect way to get an instant refresh with no downtime and enjoy healthy, beautiful skin all year long. To learn more about how you can benefit from IPL treatments and other cosmetic procedures, contact Simply by Stef to schedule a consultation.