Receiving botox can feel like a daunting prospect, especially if you’ve never had any aesthetic treatments before. 

If you’ve just received botox, you might be wondering what aftercare tips there are out there to ensure you’re taking care of yourself. 

There are many tips on how to look after yourself following a facial aesthetic treatment. That said, it’s important to note that this general advice shouldn’t replace the specific advice from your aesthetic practitioner. 

Tips for botox aftercare include, but are not limited to:

  1. Don't lie down for 4 hours following treatment 
  2. Don’t sleep on your face for 24 hours 
  3. Avoid any strenuous exercise for the first 12 hours
  4. Steer clear of facial treatments 
  5. Keep out of strong sunlight
  6. Listen to your aesthetic practitioner    

1. Don't Lie Down For 4 Hours Following Treatment

The first tip to consider after getting Botulinum toxin is to ensure you stay upright and don't lie down for a minimum of 4 hours following the treatment

The reason this is essential is to give the botox time to settle into your face nicely before you lie down or go to sleep at night. 

While it’s safe to relax after your botox treatment, it’s best to book your appointment for a time when you know you’ll be able to stay upright for the next few hours so that you’re not tempted to take a nap before your botox has settled.

Person receiving botox aftercare tips

You need to remain upright for a minimum of 4 hours following botox.

2. Don’t Sleep On Your Face For 24 Hours 

Another tip following botox is to avoid sleeping on your face for 24 hours.

This might sound like a simple one, but if you’re someone that’s used to sleeping in a particular position then you need to be aware of this.

If you sleep on your face after your botox treatment, you risk dislodging where the botox has been injected into your face, and it could travel to unwanted areas.

As such, it’s important to sleep in a position that doesn’t squish your face. So, if you’re used to sleeping on your front or your side, prop yourself up with pillows to encourage sleeping on your back after your aesthetic treatment. 

3. Avoid Any Strenuous Exercise For The First 12 Hours 

This comes down to the fact that strenuous exercise can cause the botox to spread to other parts of your face, thus reducing the benefits of your aesthetic treatment

As such, if you play any sports or are a regular gym-goer normally, be sure to avoid this for the first 12 hours following botox. 

Additionally, you will want to wait a full 24 hours before returning to your normal exercise routine to be safe. From this point onwards, you’re fine to exercise as normal.

Aesthetic practitioner explaining aftercare of a botox treatment

If you sleep on your face, you risk dislodging where the botox has been injected into your face.

4. Steer Clear Of Facial Treatments

The next tip to consider for the aftercare of a botox treatment is to steer clear of facial treatments for a few days.

This comes down to the fact that skin treatments, such as facials, can increase the risk of you accidentally dislodging the injections before they set into your face.

You should also keep touching your face to a minimum for the first couple of days for the same reason. 

That said, once this time has passed, you’re safe to go back to receiving your facial treatments.

5. Keep Out Of Strong Sunlight   

Something else that’s important for botox aftercare is to keep out of strong sunlight for the first two days. 

Direct sunlight not only flushes your skin, but also raises your blood pressure, which has the potential to cause bruising where the botox has been injected. 

As you already might be experiencing a little bruising from the injection site after your botox treatment, you don’t want to exacerbate this in the sun. 

This is also true of other means of heat exposure, such as the sauna, sunbed, hot tub, or even a hot bath or shower. As such, you will want to take care when bathing. 

Botox treatment

Direct sunlight not only flushes your skin, but also raises your blood pressure, which has the potential to cause bruising where the botox has been injected. 

6. Listen To Your Aesthetic Practitioner 

Last, but not least, be sure to listen to the advice provided by your aesthetic practitioner.

Every established clinic will have its own advice on aftercare following treatments, and it’s the safest option to follow the advice that they provide you regarding your specific treatment.

Following their advice will ensure that you are taking care of yourself properly following your botox procedure. 

We hope this blog helps! For tips on pre-botox care, check out this blog which explains exactly how you should prepare for a botox appointment


You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures. Available from beginner to advanced courses.

Written by Jemima, for You Can Clinic.

December 14, 2022 — Jemima Thomas