Just Got Botox? Here’s How to Enhance It with Skin Care

Botox has been a staple of anti-aging for decades, and I promise you that you know more people who use Botox than you think you do. When it’s done well, Botox (or similar variations from other brands, like Dysport, Xeomin or Jeuveau) eases certain fine lines in your face, softening your expressions and giving you an overall more youthful aesthetic.

But let’s be honest, these injections cost a pretty penny, and you want to make sure they’re worth your while. Beyond choosing a skilled and experienced injector, you can also make your results better by using the right skin care products that complement and enhance your rejuvenation. Check out these tips and products that can take your Botox results to the next level.

A Powerful Sunscreen

Sun damage is a major part of aging so if you’re investing in Botox to keep a younger look, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Sun protection is instrumental in keeping sun damage and premature aging away, so grab a quality sunscreen and make it a part of your morning routine every day.

Make sure that your sunscreen is broad-spectrum and has an SPF of 30 or higher. Look for a sunscreen that’s specifically formulated for facial use too, as these typically blend into your skin better than body sunscreens and are more suited to facial skin.

Retinol Serum

Retinol is a superstar on the anti-aging scene. It improves your cell turnover, meaning that your body ditches aged and damaged surface cells to make way for fresher, brighter skin cells more quickly. Translation: you get smoother skin with a more youthful glow, which adds to your Botox for an effortlessly refreshed look.

Make sure you talk to your injector, though, because they may advise that you wait a few days after your Botox injections before using a retinol product. Retinol can irritate your skin, as can injections, so it’s usually advised to give your skin a break for a few days before you put retinol back into your routine.

Growth Factor Products

You might be hearing about growth factors as one of the hottest skin care buzzwords, but when they’re high-quality, they live up to the hype, and there’s a reason why they’re a perfect complement to Botox.

Botox addresses expression lines in specific areas, but it doesn’t firm your skin after aging has caused your skin to become softer and looser, or start to sag. But growth factors do. They can help your body rebuild skin-firming collagen and give sagging skin a natural lift. That lift, paired with the smoothing effect of Botox, can take years off your appearance.

An Excellent Moisturizer

Botox smooths wrinkles by relaxing the muscles in your face that have become continuously tense due to years of repeated facial expressions. When those muscles are no longer tensed, they’re not pinching your skin into expression lines, so those lines have the opportunity to smooth out. You can help the smooth process along with a great moisturizer.

Moisturizer will plump your skin, taking full advantage of the break that your muscles are getting and helping your skin to smooth out and evict those expression lines. It’s a way to instantly make your skin look younger and healthier any time, but it can be especially helpful when you have Botox working alongside it.

Niacinamide or Other Color Correcting Products

When you think about aging, you probably think of wrinkles, but one other symptom of aging that’s especially common is hyperpigmentation, AKA age spots. These brown spots come from accumulated sun damage over the years, and if your Botox and skin care are taking care of your wrinkles, then the next step is getting rid of those age spots so you look even more revitalized.

Niacinamide is a common ingredient used for correcting age spots, but there are others too. Don’t forget that sunscreen as well, which will prevent new age spots from popping back up in their place.

Getting More from Your Botox with Skin Care

Your goal for your Botox injections is to make your skin look and feel younger. The products above have that same goal, but approach it in different ways. That’s why they make such a perfect combination: pushing back against aging from all sides so that when you look in the mirror, you see someone who looks as young and energized as you feel.

Keep in mind that your skin care routine and your ideal products will vary based on your skin type and other factors. When you get Botox, talk to your injector about your skin care routine and whether they have any recommendations besides the tips and products above.