Botox: Essential Before and After Care Instructions for Optimal Results

Thinking about booking an appointment for Botox, but want to know what you should and shouldn't do before and after your Botox treatment? Below we discuss the Botox before and after care instructions to help you plan for your appointment and optimize your Botox results.

Related: Everything You Need To Know Before Your First Botox Appointment

Botox Before and After Care

Botox Before Care

Botox After

Botox Before Appointment Instructions

1. Bring Reading Glasses for Paperwork if Needed

Paperwork will be completed during your appointment. If you require reading glasses, please bring them to your appointment.

2. Take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) 1 Hour Before your Botox Treatment

Because Botox is injected with a needle, mild pain and headache may be experienced during treatment. To help minimize mild pain and headache associated with injections, we suggest taking Tylenol (Acetaminophen) 1 hour before your appointment if not contraindicated. Tylenol is suggested as it does not have a blood-thinning effect and does not increase the risk of bruising, unlike other over-the-counter pain medications. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new medications.

3. Eat a Small Meal or Snack Before your Botox Treatment

Because Botox is injected with a needle, we suggest eating a small meal or snack before your Botox appointment to minimize any nausea that may be experienced.

4. Come with a Clean Face (No Makeup) to your Botox Appointment

Because Botox is injected with a needle, you must come with a clean face to your Botox appointment to prevent the risk of infection. Additionally, your injector will thoroughly cleanse the treatment area before treatment to minimize the risk of infection.

5. Inform your Injector of Medications you take & your Medical History

You must inform your injector of any medication you take and your medical history as Botox is not right for everyone.

Individuals with peripheral motor neuropathic diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or neuromuscular junction disorders (eg, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome), should not receive Botox for cosmetic purposes, as they may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

If you have had a previous allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to Botox in the past, it is best to avoid Botox. These reactions have been rarely reported. Botox Cosmetics is contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin preparation or any of the components in the formulation. In the rare case, that a serious allergic reaction occurs, epinephrine is on-site and will be injected immediately.

For all pregnant and breastfeeding women, treatments with Botox are not recommended. There is insufficient evidence to support the safety of Botox in pregnant women and its effects on breastfed children. Therefore, it is best to wait to receive treatment.

If you have an active skin infection or inflammation such as acne, rash or cold sores near the site of injection, it is best to wait until these have resolved to prevent it from becoming worse or spreading to another area.

At your appointment, you will be screened for any contraindications to Botox and will be required to provide your medical history to your injector. This all remains confidential.

Related: 7 Reasons to Avoid or Wait to Receive Cosmetic Botox Injections

6.  Don't Drink Alcohol 24 Hours Before your Botox Appointment

Alcohol thins the blood and therefore, increases the risk of bruising. Because of this, we recommend you do not drink alcohol 24 hours before your Botox appointment.

7. Don't Take Blood Thinners or NSAIDs for 7-10 days Before your Botox Treatment

Don't take any blood thinners or NSAIDs for 7-10 days before your Botox treatment, unless medically necessary. Medications and supplements such as aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve and other NSAIDS have a blood thinning effect and can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after injections. Always consult with your doctor before stopping any medications.

8. Don't Wax or Tweeze 24 Hours Before your Botox Treatment

Do not wax or tweeze 24 hours before your Botox treatment as it may cause skin irritation. Injecting irritated skin can lead to further irritation.

9. Wait 2 Weeks After your Covid-19 Vaccine to Receive Botox

If you have received the Covid-19 vaccine in the past 2 weeks, treatments with Botox are not recommended. There is insufficient evidence to support the safety of Botox and the Covid-19 vaccine. Therefore, it is best to wait to receive Botox treatment until it has been more than 2 weeks since you received the Covid-19 vaccine.

10. Contact your Injector with any Questions or Concerns

Before receiving Botox treatment, contact your Injector with any questions or concerns you have. Aestheticnursekatrena@gmail.com or (289) 688-8469.

Botox Appointment After-Care Instructions

1. Expect Mild Redness and to Have a Mild Headache

Mild redness at the injection site is normal for a few hours to days. You may have a mild headache for 24-48 hours post-treatment (alternatively some patients may find headache relief with treatments).

2. Take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) for Mind Pain (if not contraindicated)

Because Botox is injected with a needle, mild pain and headache may be experienced after treatment. To help minimize mild pain and headache associated with injections, we suggest taking Tylenol (Acetaminophen) if not contraindicated. Tylenol is suggested as it does not have a blood-thinning effect and does not increase the risk of bruising, unlike other over-the-counter pain medications. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new medications.

3. Be Patient, Full Results Take 14 Days

Noticeable results tend to begin 4 days after treatment and full results are seen 14 days post-treatment. Allow the full 2 weeks to pass before assessing your Botox treatment results. Because Botox results take 14 days, we suggest planning your appointment well in advance (4-6 weeks) before any important events. This allows enough time for the full results of Botox to be seen, to make any adjustments 2 weeks after your initial appointment if required and time for Botox to settle for a more natural result, which is great for photos!

Related: Debunking Common Botox Myths: What you Need to Know

4. Schedule a Follow-Up Appointment 2 Weeks After your Botox Treatment

A follow-up appointment is encouraged 2 weeks after your initial appointment. This allows for an assessment of the treatment results and to determine if more Botox units are required to achieve your desired results. If more product is needed, additional fees are required.

5. Don't Massage or Apply Pressure to your Face for 24 Hours After your Botox Treatment

Massaging or applying pressure to the treatment areas could potentially spread the Botox to an unintended area, reducing its effectiveness and longevity at the intended injection site. Additionally, relaxing an unintended muscle could result in temporary eyelid drooping, an asymmetrical smile, or other undesirable effects. To decrease the likelihood of any complications and for optimal results, do not massage or apply pressure to your face for 24 hours after your Botox treatment.

6. Don't Exercise for 24 Hours After your Botox Treatment

Strenuous exercise increases blood flow. Post-treatment, this could potentially spread the Botox to an unintended area, reducing its effectiveness and longevity at the intended injection site. Additionally, relaxing an unintended muscle could result in temporary eyelid drooping, an asymmetrical smile, or other undesirable effects. To decrease the likelihood of any complications and for optimal results, avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours after your Botox treatment. Take a rest day or do a low-intensity workout, but remember to keep your head upright.

7. Don't Lie Down for 4 Hours After your Botox Treatment

Do not lie down for 4 hours after your Botox treatment, you could accidentally apply pressure to the treatment area with your pillow. To minimize the risk, it may help to sleep on your back in a slightly elevated position for the first night post-Botox treatment.

8. Don't Touch your Face for 4 Hours After your Botox Treatment

Anytime the skin is broken, in this case, with a needle puncture, there is a risk of infection. Our hands can be dirty and carry microorganisms that cause infection. To prevent the risk of infection, do not touch your face for 4 hours after your Botox treatment. This allows enough time for the skin to heal to protect itself. Additionally, wash your hands thoroughly after receiving Botox in case you unintentionally touch your face.

9. Don't Apply Makeup for 4 Hours After your Botox Treatment

Anytime the skin is broken, in this case, with a needle puncture, there is a risk of infection. Our makeup products can be dirty and carry microorganisms that cause infection. To prevent the risk of infection, do not apply makeup for 4 hours after your Botox treatment. This allows enough time for the skin to heal to protect itself.

10. Avoid Intense Heat for 72 Hours After your Botox Treatment

Intense heat increases blood flow. Post-treatment, this could potentially spread the Botox to an unintended area, reducing its effectiveness and longevity at the intended injection site. Additionally, relaxing an unintended muscle could result in temporary eyelid drooping, an asymmetrical smile, or other undesirable effects. To decrease the likelihood of any complications, avoid intense heat for 24 hours after your Botox treatment. For optimal results, avoid intense heat including saunas, tanning beds and streaming hot showers for 72 hours after you receive Botox treatment.

Related: Maximize Your Botox Results: 7 Tips for Longevity

11. Don't Drink Alcohol for 24 Hours After your Botox Treatment

Alcohol thins the blood and therefore, increases the risk of bruising. Because of this, we recommend you do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after your Botox appointment.

12. Don’t Travel by Plane for 24 Hours after your Botox Treatment

Allow at least 24 hours after your Botox treatment to travel by plane to prevent an increased risk of bruising and swelling caused by cabin pressurization. However, when planning Botox before a vacation, we suggest Botox appointments be made 4-6 weeks before departure. This allows plenty of time for a touch-up if needed and for your results to look most natural.

13. Don't get the Covid-19 Vaccine for 2 Weeks After your Botox Treatment

Do not get the Covid-19 vaccine for 2 weeks after your Botox treatment. There is insufficient evidence to support the safety of Botox and the Covid-19 vaccine. Therefore, it is best to wait to receive the COVID-19 vaccine until it has been more than 2 weeks since you received Botox treatment.

14. Don't get Dental Procedures (Including Cleanings) for 2 Weeks After your Botox Treatment if you have Received Botox to your Lower Face

Dental procedures after Botox treatment may increase the risk of massaging or applying pressure to the treatment areas, which could potentially spread the Botox to an unintended area, reducing its effectiveness and longevity at the intended injection site. Additionally, relaxing an unintended muscle could result in an asymmetrical smile or other undesirable effects. To decrease the likelihood of any complications and for optimal results, do not get dental procedures, including cleanings, for 2 weeks after your Botox treatment if you have received Botox to your lower face. The lower face includes treatment of the DAO (downward turned smile treatment), Mentalis (dimpled chin treatment), Orbicularis Oris (smokers' lines and lip flip treatment), and Masseter (TMJ/jaw slimming treatment).

15. Contact your Injector with any Questions or Concerns

If you should experience any signs of infection (abnormal redness, swelling, oozing, fever, heat, pain), blistering, scarring, or any other complications or have any questions, please contact the provider immediately: Aestheticnursekatrena@gmail.com or (289) 688-8469.

Interesting in Booking a Botox Treatment in Oshawa?

At Aesthetic Nurse Katrena, we are committed to offering our clients accurate information and realistic expectations about Botox. If you're thinking about Botox in Oshawa, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our experienced team.

We will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that helps you achieve your goals safely and effectively. Experience the transformative benefits of Botox at Aesthetic Nurse Katrena today.

Have any questions about Botox? Want to schedule a free consultation with Aesthetic Nurse Katrena? Contact us.