You finally booked your Botox appointment and walked out of the clinic feeling excited. Now the big question hits you on the way home: what not to do after Botox so you don’t ruin your results?
Botox aftercare looks simple, but the small things you do in the first few hours and days can change how long your Botox lasts and how smooth your skin looks. You don’t need a complicated routine. You just need to avoid a few common mistakes.
After Botox, don’t rub your face, don’t lie flat for at least 4 hours, don’t exercise for 24 hours, don’t drink alcohol the same day, don’t use blood thinners (unless your doctor tells you to keep them), don’t sit in saunas or steam rooms, and don’t book facials or facial massages for at least a week.
Let’s walk through a clear, step-by-step Botox aftercare guide so you know exactly what to avoid and how to treat your skin while the botulinum toxin does its job.
Why Botox Aftercare Matters More Than You Think
Botox works by gently relaxing the muscles that cause frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles. Your injector places small amounts of botulinum toxin into very targeted muscles.
Over the next few days, these muscles calm down, and your skin looks smoother.
If you follow good Botox aftercare, you:
- Help the product stay where your injector placed it
- Lower your risk of bruising and swelling
- Support natural-looking, even results
If you ignore basic post-Botox instructions, you may:
- Push or spread the product into nearby muscles
- Increase swelling or bruising
- Shorten the lifespan of your results
If you want a deeper understanding of how Botox works in the muscle, you can read here what is botox and how does it work. It gives you helpful context for why aftercare really matters.
What Not To Do After Botox In The First 4–24 Hours
The first day after Botox is the most important time for careful aftercare. The product settles into the muscle during this period, so you want to avoid anything that pushes it around or boosts blood flow too much.
Do not rub, press, or massage the treated area
After Botox, you should not:
- Rub your forehead, frown lines, or crow’s feet
- Press on the area to “feel the product”
- Use facial massage tools or gua sha
Touching lightly for makeup is okay after a few hours, but firm pressure can shift the Botox into nearby muscles and cause uneven results.
Do not lie flat for at least 4 hours
You should stay upright for about 4 hours after your injections.
This means:
- No naps
- No lying on your side or stomach
- No bending over for long periods
Staying upright helps the product settle in the right place and lowers the risk of migration.
Avoid exercise after Botox for 24 hours
You might feel fine, but your muscles and blood vessels need a rest.
Skip:
- Intense cardio
- Weight training
- Hot yoga and high-heat workouts
Exercise increases blood flow and body heat. That can cause more bruising and may affect the way Botox settles.
After 24 hours, most people can return to normal workouts unless your provider gives different advice.
Skip alcohol on the day of treatment
Alcohol thins your blood and widens blood vessels. That increases the risk of bruising and swelling at the injection sites.
So one of the most important “what not to do after Botox” rules is simple:
No wine, cocktails, or beer on the day of your treatment. Ideally, you also avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and after.
Avoid blood thinners if your doctor allows it
If you take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood-thinning products for pain, try to pause them 24 hours before and after treatment, but only if your own doctor says it’s safe.
If you take prescription blood thinners for medical reasons, don’t stop them without direct guidance from your physician. In that case, your injector may suggest extra time with ice packs to help minimize bruising.
What Not To Do After Botox For The Rest Of The Week
Botox doesn’t reach its full effect right away. Most people start to see changes in 3–5 days, with full results around 10–14 days. During this time, you still need gentle care.
No facials, skin treatments, or facial massages
For at least 7–10 days, avoid:
- Deep cleansing facials
- Facial massage
- Microdermabrasion
- Strong chemical peels
- Microneedling or PRP in the same area
These treatments involve pressure, stretching, or heat that can affect Botox in the early phase. If you’re interested in collagen-boosting treatments like microneedling or PRP, you can schedule them at a different time or read our comparison guide for microneedling vs PRP to plan a smart treatment schedule.
No high heat or intense sun exposure
Right after Botox, your skin feels more sensitive. High heat also increases blood flow and can irritate the injection sites.
Avoid:
- Saunas
- Steam rooms
- Hot tubs
- Tanning beds
You can go outside, but protect your skin. Use sunscreen, wear a hat, and don’t sunbathe. This protects your Botox results and your long-term skin health. For broader anti-aging ideas, check out our guide to anti aging skin treatments.
Avoid sleeping on your face the first night
Try not to sleep face-down or with your cheek heavily pressed into the pillow on the first night.
If possible, sleep on your back with your head slightly raised. This position keeps pressure off the treated area and supports even results.
Common Activities After Botox
Here’s a quick aftercare reference chart that shows what not to do after Botox and when you can safely add activities back.
| Activity | Avoid For | Notes |
| Rubbing or massaging treated area | 24 hours | Light cleansing only, no firm pressure |
| Lying flat | 4 hours | Stay upright, no naps on your face |
| Intense exercise | 24 hours | Gentle walking is fine |
| Alcohol | Same day (ideally 24 hours) | Lowers bruising risk |
| Saunas / steam rooms / hot tubs | 48 hours | Heat can increase swelling |
| Facials / facial massage | 7–10 days | Avoid pressing the face |
| Microneedling / PRP on same area | 2 weeks | Plan timing with your injector |
| Tanning beds | 1 week | Protect skin and results |
Makeup, Skincare, and Botox Aftercare
A lot of people ask if they can wear makeup right after Botox. Here’s a simple approach.
Can you wear makeup after Botox?
You can usually apply light makeup after about 4 hours, as long as your skin doesn’t feel sore or irritated.
When you do:
- Use clean brushes and tools
- Dab, don’t rub
- Avoid heavy, thick layers
The main rule of Botox aftercare still applies: no strong pressure on the treated areas.
Skincare routine after Botox
You can keep a gentle skincare routine, but avoid any harsh steps for 24 hours:
- Skip strong exfoliants (like scrubs or acid peels)
- Avoid hot water on your face
- Use mild cleanser and a hydrating moisturizer
If you’re building a full skin plan along with injectables, our article skin maintenance tips walks you through long-term habits that work well with Botox and fillers.
Normal Side Effects vs Warning Signs After Botox
Some mild side effects can show up after a botulinum toxin injection, and most of them pass in a few days.
Normal Botox side effects
You may notice:
- Mild redness at injection sites
- Small bumps that flatten within an hour or two
- Slight swelling
- Light tenderness
- Mild headache
You can use a cool (not hot) compress for a few minutes at a time to calm the area. Don’t press hard.
When to contact your provider
Call your injector or medical provider right away if you notice:
- Severe pain, intense swelling, or large bruising that gets worse
- Drooping eyelid or very uneven eyebrow position
- Trouble speaking, swallowing, or breathing
- Hives or signs of an allergic reaction
These reactions are rare, but you should never ignore them. If anything feels “off,” reach out.
At Snap Glam Med Spa, our team always encourages clients to contact us after treatment if they have questions or concerns. You can use our contact page to reach us quickly.
Planning Your Next Botox Treatment
Botox doesn’t last forever, and that’s a good thing. You keep control over your look and your treatment plan.
Most people see results last about 3–4 months. You may go a bit longer or shorter depending on your:
- Metabolism
- Muscle strength
- Treatment area
- Dose and frequency
You can learn more about the full timeline like how long does botox really last.
When you stay consistent and follow good Botox aftercare, lines often soften over time and you may need fewer units in the future.
Final Takeaway
You don’t need a long list of products or a complex routine after Botox. You just need to know what not to do after Botox and stick to a few simple rules:
- Don’t rub or press the treated area
- Don’t lie flat for 4 hours
- Don’t exercise for 24 hours
- Don’t drink alcohol or add blood thinners if you can avoid them
- Don’t sit in heat, saunas, or steam rooms for a couple of days
- Don’t book facials, facial massages, or strong skin treatments for at least a week
Give the product time to settle, treat your skin gently, and listen to your injector’s advice.If you want smooth, natural, long-lasting results with clear support before and after treatment, you can learn more about our botox and dysport treatments or book a consultation to create a custom plan for your face and your goals.
