aftercare
What is the aftercare for Botox?
Short answer
Stay upright for about four hours, avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area for the rest of the day, and skip strenuous exercise until the next day. Small red bumps settle within an hour. Follow the specific instructions your own injector gives you, since guidance varies.
Sally's take
Tox aftercare is genuinely light and I think people worry about it far more than they need to. The precautions are just about keeping the product where I put it while it settles.
The one I actually care about is not rubbing the area. So a facial, aggressive skincare, or lying face down into a massage table the same day are the ones worth moving.
Everything else is common sense. Go back to work. Wear makeup, gently. You don't need to rearrange your week.
For the rest of the day
- Stay upright for roughly four hours
- Do not rub, massage, or press on the treated areas
- Skip strenuous exercise, saunas, and hot yoga until the next day
- Skip facials, microdermabrasion, and face-down massage
- Makeup is fine, applied gently rather than rubbed in
What is normal
- Small raised bumps at the injection points that settle within about an hour
- Minor redness
- Occasional light bruising, which is more likely if you take blood thinners, fish oil, or anti-inflammatories
- A mild headache in the first day or two for some people
When to call
Contact your injector if you develop a drooping eyelid or brow, changes in your vision, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or signs of infection such as spreading redness, warmth, or fever. These are uncommon, but they are the reason it matters that you can reach the person who treated you.
Quick answers
- Can I exercise afterwards?
- Wait until the next day for anything strenuous. A walk is fine.
- Can I lie down?
- Stay upright for around four hours. After that, sleep however you like.
- Why am I bruising?
- Blood thinners, fish oil, and anti-inflammatories all make it more likely. So does alcohol the night before. It's usually minor and fades in a few days.
- I have a headache. Is that normal?
- Mild headache in the first day or two happens to some people and settles on its own. Anything severe or unusual, call.
Questions worth asking
- What are your specific aftercare instructions?
- What should I avoid before my appointment to reduce bruising?
- How do I reach you if something concerns me afterward?
- When should I come back for a follow-up?
Related questions
References
- FDA-approved prescribing information for BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA)
- American Academy of Dermatology, patient guidance on botulinum toxin treatment
This page is educational and is not medical advice. It does not create a provider relationship. Results vary between people, and treatment decisions are made at your consultation.