Botox Aftercare: What Not to Do After Botox

By Chris Terry, Botox Aficionado
Updated 2026-06-17

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The core rule of Botox aftercare is to avoid anything that raises blood flow to your face or moves the product for the first 24 hours: no rubbing, no lying down flat, no strenuous exercise, and no alcohol. Good aftercare lowers your chance of bruising and keeps the Botox where your injector placed it.

What not to do after Botox (first 24 hours)

Do not rub, massage, or press the treated area. This can move the product to nearby muscles and cause drooping.
Do not lie down flat for 4 hours. Staying upright keeps the Botox from migrating.
Do not exercise strenuously for 24 hours. Raised blood pressure increases bruising and spread.
Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours; it thins the blood and worsens bruising.
Do not get facials, microdermabrasion, or heat treatments (sauna, hot yoga, sunbathing) for 24 to 48 hours.
Avoid blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E if your provider approves, to reduce bruising.

What you should do

Gently exercise the treated muscles for the first hour (frown, raise brows, squint). Many injectors suggest this to help uptake, though it is optional.
Stay upright and go about light daily activity.
Apply a cool compress gently if you have minor swelling, without pressing hard.
Sleep on your back the first night if you can.

When will you see results?

Botox is not instant. You will start to see smoothing in 3 to 5 days, with the full effect at about two weeks. Do not judge your result or request a touch-up before the two-week mark. If you still have movement or unevenness after two weeks, that is the right time to return for an adjustment.

When to call your provider

Reach out if you notice a drooping eyelid or brow, significant asymmetry after two weeks, or any difficulty swallowing or breathing (seek care immediately for the latter). Minor bruising is normal and fades within a week. For how long to expect your results to last, see how long Botox lasts.

Common aftercare questions

Can I wear makeup after Botox? Wait at least 24 hours, and when you do apply it, use a gentle patting motion rather than rubbing so you do not move the product.
When can I exercise? Light walking is fine the same day. Skip strenuous workouts, hot yoga, and heavy lifting for 24 hours.
Can I fly after Botox? Flying itself is fine, but try to wait a few hours so you can stay upright; avoid napping face-down against a tray table.
Can I drink coffee or alcohol? Coffee is fine in moderation. Skip alcohol for 24 hours, since it thins the blood and increases bruising.
When can I get a facial or massage? Wait 24 to 48 hours before any treatment that puts pressure or heat on the area.

Why aftercare matters

The goal of every aftercare rule is the same: keep the product exactly where your injector placed it for the first day while it binds to the muscle, and keep blood flow low to limit bruising. Follow the list above and you give yourself the best odds of an even, long-lasting, bruise-free result. Skipping it will not usually ruin your outcome, but it raises the chance of bruising or slight migration.

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