Your Best Result Starts With Good Preparation
Please follow these instructions unless your treating clinician gives you different directions. This guide supports — but does not replace — your individualized medical advice.
Before Your Appointment
- Tell us about your health. Share all medical conditions, allergies, prior facial surgery, swallowing or breathing problems, and any nerve or muscle disorder (such as myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, or ALS).
- Bring a complete medication and supplement list. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antibiotics, muscle relaxants, sleep medicines, blood thinners, aspirin/NSAIDs, and vitamins or herbal products.
- Report all previous botulinum toxin treatments. Tell us which product you received, where it was injected, and the date — especially any treatment within the past 4 months.
- Contact us before treatment if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding, unwell, taking antibiotics for an infection, or have a rash, cold sore, acne flare, or skin infection near the planned injection sites.
- Do not stop prescribed medication on your own. If you take anticoagulants, antiplatelet medication, or medically necessary aspirin/NSAIDs, ask the prescribing clinician before making any change.
- To help reduce bruising, avoid alcohol for 24 hours before treatment and, only if medically safe and approved by your clinician, avoid non-essential aspirin/NSAIDs and bruise-promoting supplements for several days beforehand.
- Arrive with clean skin if possible. Remove makeup from the treatment area and plan your appointment at least 2 weeks before an important event.
Please Reschedule
If you develop fever, illness, an active infection, or significant inflammation at the planned treatment site, contact the clinic before coming in.
After Your Treatment
- Be gentle with the treated area. Do not rub, massage, or apply firm pressure for the rest of the day. Apply makeup gently and avoid facial devices or treatments unless your clinician approves them.
- Remain upright for 4 hours and avoid lying face-down during that time, unless your treating clinician advises otherwise.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, saunas, hot tubs, and excessive heat for the rest of the day (or for 24 hours if advised by your clinic).
- Use a cool compress gently if needed. Do not press firmly. Acetaminophen may be used for discomfort if it is normally safe for you; ask your clinician before using other pain relievers.
- Resume your usual gentle skincare unless instructed otherwise. Wait for clinician clearance before facials, massage, microcurrent, laser, microneedling, or other procedures over the treated area.
What to Expect
| Timing | Typical course |
|---|---|
| First 1–2 days | Small bumps, mild redness, tenderness, swelling, headache, or bruising may occur and usually settle quickly. |
| About 2–5 days | You may begin to notice reduced muscle movement. Onset varies by product, dose, and treatment area. |
| 10–14 days | The result is generally ready to assess. Mild early asymmetry can improve as the treatment fully develops. |
| About 3–4 months | Effects commonly fade gradually. Duration varies; schedule retreatment with your clinician rather than treating too early. |
When to Contact Us
- Call the clinic promptly for a drooping eyelid or brow, significant asymmetry after 14 days, vision changes, persistent or worsening pain, signs of infection, or any symptom that concerns you.
Seek Urgent Medical Care
Call emergency services for trouble breathing, swallowing, or speaking; generalized muscle weakness; loss of bladder control; severe allergic symptoms; double or blurred vision; or symptoms that seem to be spreading beyond the treated area. These effects are uncommon but can occur hours to weeks after treatment.
Follow-up: If your clinic recommends a result check, it is usually scheduled around 2 weeks after treatment. Do not judge or adjust your result during the first several days.
Clinical references: FDA-approved prescribing information/Medication Guides for onabotulinumtoxinA, abobotulinumtoxinA, and incobotulinumtoxinA; American Academy of Dermatology botulinum toxin patient guidance. Reviewed August 2026.
