Yes, some people feel tired after BOTOX®. Mild, flu-like tiredness or a general “off” feeling is a recognized side effect, and it usually fades within a day or two. Rest, fluids, and a quiet evening help. Tiredness is different from muscle weakness: generalized weakness, double vision, or trouble swallowing, speaking, or breathing needs medical care right away.
Key Takeaways
- Feeling mildly tired or achy after BOTOX® can happen and usually lasts no more than a day or two.
- A headache, a long day, or appointment nerves can also leave you feeling drained.
- Rest upright for the first four hours, stay hydrated, and skip alcohol on treatment day.
- Tiredness is not the same as muscle weakness. Spreading weakness, vision changes, or trouble swallowing or breathing needs urgent care.
- Tell your injector about any neuromuscular conditions before treatment.
In This Article
- Is It Normal to Feel Tired After BOTOX®?
- Why You Might Feel Tired After BOTOX®
- A Mild, Flu-Like Feeling
- Headache
- The Appointment Itself
- Heavy-Feeling Brows or Eyelids
- How Long Does Tiredness Last After BOTOX®?
- How to Feel Better After BOTOX®
- Tiredness vs. Weakness: When to Get Help
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Feel Confident in Your Care at Goldfingers Aesthetics
Is It Normal to Feel Tired After BOTOX®?
For most people, BOTOX® has no effect on energy levels. Some people do notice they feel a little tired, achy, or run down for a short time after treatment. A review of botulinum toxin side effects in Advances in Dermatology and Allergology notes that mild, flu-like malaise can occur after injections.
This feeling is temporary and usually mild. It doesn’t mean something went wrong with your treatment, and it doesn’t affect your results.
Mild tiredness after BOTOX® usually passes within a day or two. Know the rare warning signs that need prompt care.
Why You Might Feel Tired After BOTOX®
A Mild, Flu-Like Feeling
A small number of people experience a brief flu-like feeling after BOTOX®, such as tiredness, mild aches, or just not feeling quite like themselves. It’s typically short-lived.
Headache
A headache can leave you feeling drained. In clinical studies, headache was reported by 9% of patients treated for forehead lines, according to the FDA prescribing information for BOTOX® Cosmetic. The review in Advances in Dermatology and Allergology notes that post-treatment headaches usually last 24 to 48 hours.
The Appointment Itself
Sometimes the tiredness isn’t from BOTOX® at all. Pre-appointment nerves, fitting treatment into a busy day, skipping a meal, or getting up early can leave anyone feeling worn out by the afternoon.
Heavy-Feeling Brows or Eyelids
As BOTOX® takes effect over the first week or two, some people notice their forehead or brows feel different, which can be described as “heavy.” Less commonly, an eyelid or brow can droop.
The FDA prescribing information 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 temporary and are usually related to injection placement. Let your provider know if you notice them.
How Long Does Tiredness Last After BOTOX®?
Mild tiredness after BOTOX® usually lasts a day or two. Most people feel completely normal by the next morning.
If you still feel unusually tired after several days, or the tiredness is getting worse instead of better, contact your provider so they can check in on your symptoms.
How to Feel Better After BOTOX®
Rest, but stay upright at first. For the first four hours after treatment, rest sitting up rather than lying down. After that, a nap or an early night is fine.
Stay hydrated and eat something. Drink water and have a balanced meal, especially if you skipped one before your appointment.
Skip alcohol on treatment day. Alcohol can add to tiredness and make bruising more likely. Learn how long to wait to drink alcohol after BOTOX®.
Take it easy. Keep your plans low-key. A gentle walk is fine, but save intense workouts for the next day. See our guide to working out after BOTOX®.
Ask before taking pain relievers. Cleveland Clinic recommends avoiding NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin after BOTOX® because they can promote bruising. Ask your provider what you can take for a headache.
Our BOTOX® aftercare guide covers everything to do and avoid in the first 24 hours.
Tiredness vs. Weakness: When to Get Help
Feeling tired is very different from your muscles feeling weak. The FDA prescribing information for BOTOX® Cosmetic carries a boxed warning about a rare risk of the toxin’s effect spreading beyond the injection site. Symptoms can appear hours to weeks after injection and may include:
- Generalized muscle weakness or loss of strength
- Double vision or blurred vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Trouble swallowing or speaking
- Hoarseness or changes in your voice
- Trouble breathing
- Loss of bladder control
Seek medical care right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially trouble swallowing, speaking, or breathing.
This spread of effect is very rare with cosmetic treatment. The FDA labeling notes there have been no definitive serious reports of distant spread linked to cosmetic use of BOTOX® Cosmetic at the recommended doses. Still, it’s important to know the difference.
Also tell your injector before treatment if you have a neuromuscular condition, such as myasthenia gravis. The FDA labeling advises extra caution for these patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can BOTOX® make you feel sick?
A small number of people feel mildly unwell or flu-like for a day after BOTOX®. This usually passes on its own. If you feel very sick, develop a fever, or have trouble swallowing or breathing, seek medical care.
Is it normal to feel tired the day after BOTOX®?
Yes. Some people feel a little tired the next day, especially if they also have a mild headache. It typically resolves within a day or two.
Can I take a nap after BOTOX®?
Yes, after about four hours. Before then, rest sitting upright instead of lying down. Once four hours have passed, sleeping normally is fine.
Can BOTOX® cause a headache?
Yes. A mild headache is a common, temporary side effect, especially after forehead treatment. It usually passes within one to two days. Ask your provider which pain reliever to take.
Can BOTOX® make you look tired?
When it’s placed well, BOTOX® should make you look refreshed, not tired. In uncommon cases, an eyelid or brow can droop, which may look tired. This is temporary, and your provider can assess it and discuss options.
Can BOTOX® affect my vision?
Vision changes after cosmetic BOTOX® are uncommon but possible, especially with treatment near the eyes. Learn the signs in our guide on whether BOTOX® can affect your vision.
Should I get BOTOX® if I’m feeling sick?
If you have a fever, an active illness, or a skin infection near the treatment area, let your provider know before your appointment. The FDA labeling lists infection at the injection site as a reason not to inject, and rescheduling also makes it easier to tell whether any symptoms afterward are related to your treatment.
Feel Confident in Your Care at Goldfingers Aesthetics
Feeling a little tired after BOTOX® is uncommon, short-lived, and nothing to worry about. Knowing what’s normal, and what isn’t, helps you feel confident in your care.
Our experienced injectors review your health history before every treatment and walk you through what to expect afterward. Learn more about BOTOX® at Goldfingers Aesthetics or visit a location near you:
You can also find your nearest location or book an appointment online.