How long after receiving a slimming facial injection can I apply a face mask?
Disease description:
I recently had a facial slimming injection and would like to learn more about post-injection skincare. I heard that it's not advisable to apply face masks immediately after the injection, but how long should I wait before it's safe to use face masks again? Doctor, how long should I wait after receiving the facial slimming injection before I can resume normal face mask treatments?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Lu
Under normal circumstances, you can apply a facial mask 24 hours after receiving a jawline-shaping injection.
Jawline-shaping injections typically refer to injectable botulinum toxin type A, which is used to improve facial contour issues caused by overdeveloped facial muscles. Botulinum toxin type A works by inhibiting neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction, thereby relaxing the muscles and achieving a slimming effect on the face. After the injection, to ensure even distribution of the botulinum toxin and its full effect on the target muscles, it's generally recommended to avoid massaging the face, strenuous exercise, and applying excessive pressure to the face. Therefore, there are specific considerations regarding post-injection facial care, especially the timing for using facial masks.
Twenty-four hours after receiving the injection, the injection sites will have begun healing, thereby reducing the risk of bacteria entering the skin through the puncture sites and causing inflammation or swelling. When choosing a facial mask, it's recommended to select gentle, non-irritating products and avoid masks containing alcohol, fragrances, or other irritating ingredients to minimize adverse effects on the skin. Additionally, the duration of the facial mask application shouldn't be too long, generally recommended to be within 10–15 minutes.
