Too much of a good thing could backfire on some of your most arduous beauty efforts. Here, we breakdown which procedures play nice together and which ones need a “time out” from the other.
Complimenting cosmetic procedures are all the rage and most patients employ the prowess of multiple procedures to attain the look and results they desire. While mixing-and-matching different procedures is commonly used to custom-tailor a unique anti-aging action plan for patients, timing is everything – even for the hottest, super-safe procedures in the industry. Laser hair removal, Forma skin-tightening, RF microneedling, and neurotoxins (Botox® Cosmetic, Jeuveau®, and Dysport®) are all complimentary to one another. However, these should be pursued on separate days with separate in-office appointments to help minimize risks of irritation or jeopardization of aesthetic results. There are a few exemptions and tricks that are safe for you to try to squeeze in more beauty time in a single appointment.
What Procedures Work Well Together?
First and foremost, it depends which part/area of the face/body is being treated and with what procedure. Risk assessment varies amongst cosmetic procedures. For instance, if you’re just having laser hair removal performed on your legs, underarms, and bikini areas, respectively, then having a neurotoxin injected into the expression lines of your face during the same appointment shouldn’t pose any risks.
On the other hand, having neurotoxin injections, Forma skin-tightening, and RF microneedling all on the same day is a no-go and should be scheduled a few weeks apart from one another. Neurotoxins need time to settle into the injected areas to avoid the risk of migration to unwanted areas (think droopy eyelids!). So combining neurotoxin injections with any other procedure that seeks to rub or puncture the skin, as is the case with both Forma radiofrequency skin-tightening and RF microneedling, you risk serious skin injury, neurotoxin migration, and ineffective results overall.
As a general rule, patients are advised to wait at least two weeks before or after neurotoxin injections before pursuing RF microneedling or Forma skin-tightening treatments. This gives the neurotoxin time to settle into the area of the face without the possibility of disruption – or worse – migration to unwanted areas. You’ll be happy you waited the extra week or so before scheduling your other cosmetic procedures. However, if you’re getting Forma skin-tightening on a body part and NOT an area of your face, there should be no reason why you couldn’t schedule both neurotoxin injections PLUS Forma on the same day.
In another skin scenario, if you want to have laser hair removal on the same areas being treated by the Forma skin-tightening, it’s highly advised you wait at least 3-4 days between these two body-perfecting procedures. Your goal is to not have any minimally invasive procedure overlap or eclipse one another, as this could be a recipe for a big beauty blunder that may be an even bigger challenge to correct. Same if you’re looking to have laser hair removal on the face – skip other procedures and wait at least 3-4 days to minimize irritation and other undesirable side effects.
The Final Result is Worth the Wait
Generally, neurotoxins should never be performed on the same day as your other treatments, except for fillers, since dermal fillers are injected into contrasting areas of the face. Even the most dedicated beauty enthusiasts will be happy they gave their just-injected skin time to adjust before undergoing another complexion-correcting procedure. The jaw-dropping results will be worth the wait! For instance, neurotoxins smooth lines in the expression areas, which reside in the upper area of the face, while Forma aims to tighten lax skin on the lower portions/contours of the face. They’re complimentary cosmetic procedures, and when done performed separately, patients are sure to enjoy a luminous, lifted, line-free look.
The Beauty Bottom Line
For all those beauty buffs and cosmetic connoisseurs who insist on piling on the procedures during a single office visit, try to keep it limited to laser hair removal on the body and either neurotoxins, RF microneedling, or Forma skin-tightening (just pick one) for the face. This will greatly minimize risk of injury, irritation, or redness as well as ensure the most beautiful, natural-looking results. Practice patience and schedule your other minimally invasive procedures for another time. Your skin will thank you for it!