Before & After Care

Botox Aftercare: The 24-Hour Rules That Matter

4 min read|Updated February 8, 2026|By Amara Oladipo, BSN, RN, Certified Aesthetic Nurse Injector

The First 4 Hours

Stay upright — avoid lying down or bending over for at least 4 hours after treatment. This prevents the Botox from migrating to unintended muscles. Don't touch, rub, or massage the treated areas. Avoid wearing headbands, hats, or anything that puts pressure on your forehead. Skip your workout — exercise increases blood flow and can spread the product before it's had time to bind to the targeted muscles.

Hours 4-24

Continue avoiding intense exercise, saunas, steam rooms, and hot yoga for the rest of the day. Don't consume excessive alcohol (it increases bruising risk). Avoid blood-thinning supplements like fish oil, vitamin E, and aspirin if possible (ideally stop these 3-5 days before treatment). Sleep on your back if you can. You can gently cleanse your face and apply moisturizer — just be gentle over injection sites.

The Next Few Days

You may notice small bumps at injection sites — these resolve within hours. Mild bruising is possible, especially around the eyes, and typically fades within 3-5 days. You can apply arnica cream to help. Don't schedule facials, chemical peels, or other facial treatments for at least 2 weeks. You can wear makeup after 24 hours — apply gently without rubbing.

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When to Call Your Provider

Contact your provider if you experience significant asymmetry (some is normal and resolves as Botox takes full effect), severe headache that doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain relief, drooping eyelid (rare but treatable), difficulty swallowing or breathing (extremely rare — seek immediate medical attention), or any signs of infection at injection sites. At Lumière, we're always available for post-treatment questions.

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About the Author

Amara Oladipo

BSN, RN, Certified Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Amara is a certified aesthetic nurse injector with over a decade of experience in medical aesthetics. She specializes in natural-looking injectable results and personalized treatment planning.

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