Devin Jacobs
Getting Botox is an exciting way to refresh your look, but what you do afterward is just as important as the treatment itself. The days following your appointment are not the time for shortcuts or uncertainty. Follow these tips to protect your results, prevent side effects, and make sure your Botox experience is a complete success!
Don’t Rub Your Face
It might be tempting to massage your face or press on treated areas, but resist the urge. Manipulating your skin can cause the Botox to migrate to unintended muscles, which might lead to uneven results. Instead, leave your skin untouched for at least 24 hours to let the Botox settle exactly where it’s supposed to.
Avoid Spirits
Alcohol acts as a blood thinner and might increase the likelihood of bruising and swelling in the treated areas. It also dehydrates your body, potentially impairing the healing process and prolonging recovery time. Play it safe by staying hydrated with water or herbal teas and letting your body recover properly.
Say No to Saunas and Hot Tubs
The heat from saunas, steam rooms, or hot tubs might feel relaxing, but it’s best to avoid them for 24 to 48 hours. Excessive heat can increase circulation and potentially impact the effectiveness of your treatment. Save the pampering sessions for when your Botox has fully settled in.
Don’t Sleep Face-Down
If you love sleeping on your stomach, now’s the time to change things up. Lying face-down usually puts pressure on your treated areas and affects your Botox results. Aim to sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated for at least the first night to keep everything in place.
Skip Intense Workouts
After your treatment, working up a heavy sweat in the gym is a no-go for at least 24 hours. Vigorous exercise increases blood flow, which may interfere with how Botox works. Stick to light activities like walking instead. Your muscles—and your new look—will thank you for taking it easy.
Avoid Flying Too Soon
Booking a flight right after Botox? You might want to rethink that plan. Changes in cabin pressure could potentially impact your treatment, especially if it’s a long flight. Waiting at least 24 to 48 hours before hopping on a plane is a simple way to safeguard your fresh look.
Hold Off on Makeup
If applying makeup is part of your daily routine, take a break for at least a day after Botox because using brushes or sponges on treated areas can disrupt the injection sites. Let your skin breathe and heal instead—you’ll have plenty of time to glam up later.
Don’t Schedule Other Facial Treatments
Eager for a chemical peel or microdermabrasion? Give it at least a week after Botox before booking other facial treatments. Rushing into additional procedures could irritate your skin or interfere with your results. One step at a time ensures the best possible outcome for your skin.
Steer Clear of Blood-Thinning Medications
Some Botox experts suggest avoiding medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood-thinning supplements such as Vitamin E oil, fish oil, and ginkgo biloba unless medically necessary. These can raise the risk of bruising at injection sites. If you’re unsure about stopping any medications, consult your doctor first.
Don’t Ignore Your Provider’s Advice
Your specialist’s aftercare instructions aren’t suggestions—they’re your roadmap to great results. If something feels unclear, ask for clarification rather than guessing. Trust their expertise and stick to the plan. Following their advice closely is the easiest way to ensure your Botox experience is smooth and satisfying.