After BOTOX®, stay upright for about four hours and avoid rubbing or massaging the treated areas. Skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas, and facials until the next day. After 24 hours, most people can return to their normal routine. Good aftercare mainly reduces bruising and swelling and helps the product stay where your injector placed it.
Key Takeaways
- Stay upright for about four hours after treatment and keep your hands off the injection sites for the first day.
- Wait at least 24 hours before working out, drinking alcohol, using a sauna or hot tub, or getting a facial or massage.
- Washing your face gently, wearing makeup, and making normal facial expressions are all fine.
- BOTOX® starts working within a few days and keeps improving over the first one to two weeks, so don’t judge your results early.
- Mild bruising, swelling, and small bumps are normal. Eyelid drooping, vision changes, or trouble swallowing or breathing are not, and need prompt attention.
In This Article
- Your BOTOX® Aftercare Timeline
- The First 4 Hours
- The First 24 Hours
- Days 2 Through 14
- Two Weeks and Beyond
- What to Do After BOTOX®
- What Not To Do After BOTOX®
- What’s Normal After BOTOX® and What Isn’t
- Does Aftercare Affect How Long BOTOX® Lasts?
- Do Dysport® and Other Neuromodulators Need the Same Aftercare?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Get Natural-Looking BOTOX® Results at Goldfingers Aesthetics
Your BOTOX® Aftercare Timeline
BOTOX® Cosmetic temporarily relaxes targeted facial muscles by blocking the nerve signals that make them contract. According to the FDA prescribing information for BOTOX® Cosmetic, the effect typically begins one to two days after injection and grows stronger over the first week.
Before it takes hold, BOTOX® is a liquid sitting in the muscle. Cleveland Clinic notes that it can spread by about half an inch, which is enough to change how it settles. That’s why most aftercare rules apply only to the first few hours and the first day.
Most BOTOX® aftercare rules apply only to the first 24 hours. After that, you can get back to your normal routine.
The First 4 Hours
This is the most important window. Stay upright, whether you’re sitting at your desk, running errands, or relaxing on the couch. Skip the post-appointment nap and avoid lying flat or face-down.
Keep your hands away from the injection sites. If you notice swelling, you can hold a cool compress wrapped in a soft cloth near the area for about 10 minutes at a time. Rest it there lightly instead of pressing.
The First 24 Hours
For the rest of the day, keep your plans low-key:
- Don’t rub, massage, or press on the treated areas.
- Skip the gym, hot yoga, and other strenuous workouts.
- Pass on alcohol.
- Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and long stretches in the Florida sun.
- Hold off on facials, face massages, and other skin treatments.
You can wash your face, apply skincare and makeup gently, and go about the rest of your day as usual.
Days 2 Through 14
From day two, most people go back to their full routine, including workouts. This is when your results start to show. Frown lines, forehead lines, or crow’s feet gradually soften as the treated muscles relax.
Any mild bruising usually fades during this time. If you’re planning treatments that work on the skin more aggressively, such as microneedling, chemical peels, or laser resurfacing on the same area, ask your injector when it’s safe to schedule them.
Two Weeks and Beyond
By about two weeks, you’re seeing close to your full result. This is a good time for a follow-up visit, so your injector can check for symmetry and add a small touch-up if one area needs a little more.
From there, your results will last for several months. Read our guide on how long BOTOX® lasts to plan your next appointment.
What to Do After BOTOX®
Use a cool compress for swelling or tenderness. Wrap it in a cloth, hold it gently near the injection site for up to 10 minutes, and give your skin a break between sessions.
Move your face normally. Smiling, talking, and frowning won’t undo your treatment. Cleveland Clinic confirms that normal facial expressions are fine after BOTOX®.
Cleanse gently. BOTOX® won’t wash away. Use a mild cleanser and your fingertips, and pat your skin dry instead of scrubbing.
Apply makeup with a light touch. Once the tiny injection points have closed, which takes only minutes, you can wear makeup. Use a clean sponge or brush and avoid pressing hard over treated areas.
Protect your skin from the sun. Sunscreen is part of any good anti-aging routine, especially in Florida. Pat it on rather than rubbing it in for the first day.
Keep your follow-up appointment. A two-week check-in lets your provider fine-tune your results and adjust your plan for next time.
What Not To Do After BOTOX®
These are the most important things to avoid after treatment, along with the reasons behind each.
Don’t Lie Down for About 4 Hours
Staying upright for three to four hours is one of the most consistent recommendations from medical sources, including Cleveland Clinic. If you have an evening appointment, wait those four hours before going to bed.
Don’t Rub, Massage, or Press on Treated Areas
Pressure can push the product away from where your injector placed it. For the first 24 hours, avoid rubbing your face, face massages, and gadgets like facial rollers or gua sha tools.
Pressure counts, too. Skip tight headbands, hats that press on your forehead, swim goggles, and face-down massage tables until the next day.
Don’t Work Out the Same Day
Strenuous exercise raises your heart rate and blood pressure, which can make bruising and swelling worse. Most providers recommend waiting 24 hours before a hard workout.
A gentle walk is fine. For more on timing, see our guide to working out, sweating, and swimming after BOTOX®.
Don’t Drink Alcohol on Treatment Day
Alcohol can make bruising more likely, so skip happy hour on the day of your appointment. Our guide to drinking alcohol after BOTOX® explains how long to wait and why.
Don’t Take NSAID Pain Relievers Without Checking First
Cleveland Clinic advises avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen after BOTOX® because they can promote bruising. If you need something for discomfort, ask your provider what to take.
If you take aspirin or another blood thinner prescribed by your doctor, don’t stop it on your own.
Don’t Spend the Day in Heat or Direct Sun
Heat dilates blood vessels and can increase redness and swelling. On treatment day, skip saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, tanning beds, and long beach or pool days.
If you’re wondering when you can catch some sun again, read our guide to tanning after BOTOX®.
Don’t Book Facials or Other Facial Treatments Right Away
Facials and face massages involve rubbing, so wait at least 24 hours. Wait longer if you have any bruising or swelling.
Ask your injector before scheduling more intensive treatments on the same area. The same goes for waxing or threading near the brows and for strong active ingredients. Our guide to using retinol after BOTOX® covers when to restart your regular skincare.
Don’t Judge Your Results Too Soon
BOTOX® takes time to reach its full effect. One side may soften a day or two before the other, which is normal. Wait the full two weeks before deciding whether you need a touch-up.
If you’re getting BOTOX® before a wedding, reunion, or vacation, book your appointment at least two weeks ahead.
What’s Normal After BOTOX® and What Isn’t
Common, Temporary Side Effects
Most side effects after BOTOX® are mild and short-lived:
- Bruising, swelling, and redness at the injection sites, usually fading within days.
- Small raised bumps where the product was placed. BOTOX® bumps generally flatten on their own.
- Headache. In clinical studies of forehead line treatment, headache was reported by 9% of patients, according to the FDA prescribing information.
- Mild fatigue. Some people report feeling a little run down for a day. Learn more about whether BOTOX® can make you tired.
When to Contact Your Provider
Call your injector if you notice a drooping eyelid or eyebrow. The FDA label lists eyelid drooping in 3% of patients treated for frown lines and brow drooping in 2% of those treated for forehead lines.
These effects are uncommon and temporary. Cleveland Clinic notes they are usually related to injection placement, not to anything the patient did afterward. Your provider can assess it and, in some cases, recommend options to help.
Also reach out if you have any vision changes after BOTOX® or symptoms that could signal an allergic reaction to BOTOX®, such as hives, itching, or swelling beyond the treated area.
When to Get Medical Care Right Away
Serious side effects are rare. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Slurred speech or difficulty talking
- Blurred or double vision
- Muscle weakness or numbness beyond the treated area
Does Aftercare Affect How Long BOTOX® Lasts?
Aftercare protects your results while BOTOX® settles, but it doesn’t control how long it lasts. According to its FDA prescribing information, BOTOX® Cosmetic typically lasts about three to four months for frown lines. Your dose, metabolism, and the strength of the treated muscles all play a role.
The biggest factor in how your results look is who does your injections. An experienced injector who understands facial anatomy, chooses the right number of BOTOX® units for each area, and places them precisely makes the difference between a natural, refreshed look and an uneven one.
If you’re planning ahead, our guide to how much BOTOX® costs can help you budget for regular maintenance.
Do Dysport® and Other Neuromodulators Need the Same Aftercare?
Yes. Dysport®, XEOMIN®, and DAXXIFY® are all injectable neuromodulators that work in a similar way, so the same basic aftercare applies to each. Stay upright, keep your hands off, and give your body a quiet first day.
Onset and longevity differ slightly between products. Our comparisons of Dysport® vs. BOTOX®, XEOMIN® vs. BOTOX®, and DAXXIFY® vs. BOTOX® explain the differences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 4-hour rule after BOTOX®?
The 4-hour rule means staying upright for about four hours after your injections. Lying down, bending over for long periods, or pressing your face into a pillow during this window could shift the product before it settles. After four hours, you can lie down normally.
Can I wash my face after BOTOX®?
Yes. Water won’t affect your BOTOX®. Wash gently with a mild cleanser and your fingertips, avoid scrubbing or using cleansing brushes on treated areas for the first day, and pat your skin dry.
How soon can I wear makeup after BOTOX®?
You can usually apply makeup once the small injection points have closed, which happens within minutes. Use clean tools, apply with a light touch, and avoid pressing or rubbing over the treated areas for the first 24 hours.
Can I sleep on my side the night after BOTOX®?
Once four hours have passed, you can sleep in your normal position. Some people prefer to sleep on their back the first night for extra peace of mind, but it isn’t strictly necessary.
Can I take ibuprofen after BOTOX®?
It’s best to avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen right after treatment because they can increase bruising. Ask your provider what to take instead if you’re uncomfortable, and never stop a medication your doctor prescribed without talking to them first.
Can I get my eyebrows waxed after BOTOX®?
Wait at least 24 hours, and ideally until after your two-week follow-up, before waxing or threading near treated areas. Waxing involves pressure and pulling on the skin, so it’s best to let your BOTOX® fully settle first.
Can I fly after BOTOX®?
Yes, you can fly after BOTOX®, and it won’t affect your results. Our guide to flying after BOTOX® covers timing and travel tips.
When will I see my BOTOX® results?
Most people notice changes within a few days, with results continuing to build over the first one to two weeks. Your full result is typically visible at about two weeks.
Does BOTOX® ever fully leave your body?
BOTOX® effects are temporary. Over several months, the treated nerves form new connections and muscle movement gradually returns. Without maintenance treatments, your muscles go back to their normal activity.
Get Natural-Looking BOTOX® Results at Goldfingers Aesthetics
Great BOTOX® aftercare is simple: stay upright, keep your hands off, and give yourself an easy first day. What matters most is choosing an experienced injector who knows how to create refreshed, natural-looking results.
At Goldfingers Aesthetics, our skilled injectors create a customized BOTOX® treatment plan for your goals and walk you through aftercare before you leave. We also treat lines and wrinkles across the face with a full range of injectables.
Visit one of our locations across Central Florida and Tampa Bay:
Don’t see your city? Find your nearest Goldfingers Aesthetics location or book your BOTOX® appointment online today.