How to Prepare for Your First Botox or Filler Appointment

The most important thing you can do prior to receiving any injectable treatment is to follow the individualized instructions given to you by your doctor who will be performing the injections. These instructions are likely to include the following, but individual circumstances will vary:

If you take blood thinning medications, including an aspirin regimen, you may need to forgo these medications prior to receiving your injections, in order to reduce the likelihood of swelling, bleeding, or bruising. If you are unable to go off of these medications due to a serious illness or health condition, you may not be a good candidate for injectables. If you need medication for pain during that time, Tylenol is generally the best choice.

Your doctor also should be advised if you are currently taking any of the following: muscle relaxants, sleep aids, herbal remedies, or certain allergy medications. However, your injector should have a list of all current medications you are taking, including topical treatments, vitamins and herbal remedies.

For future reference, is a good idea to keep with you a current list of your medical conditions, medications, and allergies that you can provide to your injector each visit.

If you bruise easily, you may wish the doctor to know this beforehand as well. He or she can take special steps to help avoid bruising and swelling.

The key things to remember here are to avoid blood thinning medications, provide a list of your current medications, and inform the doctor of any special considerations you may require before or after the procedure. Your doctor will take a full history of your health to ensure you are a good candidate for injectables and avoid any unwanted side-effects.