Botox Aftercare Frequently Asked Questions

Botox® Cosmetic is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that reduces fine lines and wrinkles on your face. It is applied through a series of injections around your eyes, forehead, and mouth. Most patients will be able to return to their normal activities immediately after they receive Botox. You can drive, work, and move around without feeling any pain. However, there are a few aftercare treatments to keep in mind.

Many of the aftercare guidelines for Botox are meant to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Dr. Buddiga, allergy and immunology expert and founder of BUDDIGA Family Allergy | Skin | Immunology provides a comprehensive aftercare plan to help patients get the most from their treatment. By following his guidelines, you can optimize your recovery and reduce the risk of unwanted side effects.

Here are some of the important things to know about Botox aftercare, so you can feel prepared for your treatment.

What should I not do after my Botox treatment?

There are a few key things to avoid after you receive Botox. The first is to avoid makeup. Try to go without makeup for at least 24 hours after treatment. Applying makeup will cause you to rub the skin, which could spread the toxin to other parts of your face. Even gently dabbing the treatment area with a makeup sponge could cause unwanted side effects. Wearing makeup also poses a risk when you take it off. Makeup wipes or towels cause you to rub your face, which could affect your treatment.

Next, sit up for at least four hours after your treatment. Avoid lying down or resting your head on a pillow. Dr. Buddiga may recommend a specific overnight sleep position depending on the time of your appointment and your treatment. However, you should be able to sleep how you feel comfortable by nightfall.

Also, avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your Botox treatment and for 24 hours after.

Can I exercise after Botox?

Exercising after receiving Botox is not recommended. After your treatment, wait at least 24 hours before completing any sort of strenuous physical activity. Dr. Buddiga may also encourage you to wait multiple days before you return to some exercises.

Exercising increases blood flow, which could push the toxin to unwanted areas. This will also reduce its effectiveness at the injection site because the toxin will be less concentrated.

When you meet with Dr. Buddiga, talk about your exercise routine and the types of activities you do. He can give you a timeline for when it is safe to resume doing the things you love.

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to Botox?

Every medical treatment comes with risks, no matter how clinically proven or minimally invasive. Botox is no different. While this treatment has been used for decades and more than 100 million doses have been administered since 2002, you may still be at risk for an allergic reaction.

A few symptoms of an allergic reaction to your Botox injections include:

• Pain, swelling, or bruising of the injection site
• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms
• Droopy eyelid, eye dryness, or excessive tearing
• Asymmetrical eyebrows

These might pass within a day or two, but you should tell your doctor about any side effects you experience, as they may want to change your treatment in the future.

What happens when Botox wears off?

As the Botox injections start to wear off, you will start to see the fine lines and wrinkles form again on your face. Eventually, your face will return to the state it was in before your Botox treatment.

One common myth is that Botox can make your wrinkles worse. The reality is that you aren’t used to seeing your face with wrinkles because of the Botox treatment, so seeing wrinkles on your face again can be surprising!

Botox will not worsen the aging process, it simply returns your face to pre-treatment levels.

What if my Botox results are not what I expected?

Botox injections take time. You might not notice any results within the first few days of your treatment. In most cases, it takes up to two weeks for the results to set in. However, if your skin doesn’t react to the Botox, or the reaction is smaller than you expected, contact Dr. Buddiga. He may recommend administering a stronger dosage to help the muscles contract.

If you don’t like how you look with Botox, you can feel reassured that the results are temporary and will wear off. Within four months, your face should return to how it looked pre-treatment.

How soon after Botox can I get a facial?

Any sort of touching or rubbing can impact your Botox treatment and make it less effective. To maximize its effectiveness, avoid skin treatments for the first 24 hours after you receive Botox. This includes facials, facial massages, and masks, and exfoliating scrubs.

If you get Botox in another part of your body, avoid any massages or treatments where someone is rubbing your skin. Try to schedule these treatments a few days after your treatment to be safe.

Should I avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area?

If possible, avoid touching your face (including rubbing and massaging the treated area) for the first one to three days after your injections. It may be tempting to feel your muscles or test whether or not they are sore, but this could push the toxin to different areas where you don’t want treatment.

While you can’t touch your face, there are ways to move it safely. You can practice facial muscle exercises like smiling, frowning, and raising your eyebrows which can actually help the effects of Botox show up faster.

How long does Botox last?

Botox injections aren’t permanent and they will wear off within three to four months of treatment. This is standard across almost all patients. You will start to notice the return of fine lines and wrinkles around your face where the Botox injections had eliminated them before.

There is no way to make Botox injections last longer. Some people report that their injections last longer when they receive them frequently, so, if you have been receiving Botox injections for a few years, the effects might last for six months, rather than three. However, there is no way for a doctor to guarantee that your injections will last that long.

What if my Botox treatment didn’t work?

There are multiple reasons why your Botox treatment may not have worked. First, and most commonly, you haven’t given it enough time. While some people start to see results in a few days, it could take up to two weeks to see the full effects of your Botox injections. If it’s only been a few days and you don’t notice a difference yet, wait a little longer.

Next, some people are immune to Botox. They can develop antibodies to fight the toxin and lessen the effectiveness of the injections. If you don’t get the results you want, this could be the cause.

If you don’t see your desired results, contact Dr. Buddiga. He may recommend a different course of treatment or consider increasing your dosage and will work with you to customize a plan for your unique case.

Are there any side effects?

Reactions to your Botox treatment are unlikely and most people only experience mild reactions that fade within a few hours. However, there is a rare risk of a serious reaction to your Botox injections. This is highly unlikely, but it’s important for patients to understand the potential reactions they could experience. A few of these symptoms include:

• Muscle weakness
• Vision problems
• Trouble speaking or swallowing
• Breathing problems
• Loss of bladder control

If you experience any of these side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

To reduce the risk of serious side effects, avoid Botox if you are allergic to cow’s milk and tell Dr. Buddiga about any medication you are on before you start treatment. By working with a leading allergy and immunology expert, you can guarantee that your health and safety are the top priorities!   

Have Questions? Ask Dr. Buddiga

At BUDDIGA Family Allergy | Skin | Immunology, we are here to answer any questions you have about Botox treatment and our other skin aesthetics treatments. Our goal is to make you feel safe and comfortable when you choose to treat your fine lines and wrinkles. Please reach out to us with any questions you have or to schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Buddiga in person.

Dr. Buddiga, the founder of BUDDIGA Family Allergy | Skin | Immunology, is a highly sought-after medical specialist who advises on the latest research and treatment for asthma, allergy, immunology, and skin conditions for patients of all ages. If you have any questions about Botox injections that aren’t included here, don’t be afraid to ask. Our team is happy to talk about our process and how Botox can help you.