Aftercare guide: what to do after every treatment

What you do in the first days after a treatment affects your results. These instructions come from our medical team and match the aftercare email you receive at checkout. Use the quick reference table for the most common questions, then jump to your treatment for the full details. If your provider gives you different instructions, follow your provider.

Quick reference

Botox aftercare

Covers Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau and the Botox lip flip.

• Stay upright for 4 hours. Don't lie down or bend over for long.
• Don't touch, rub or massage the treated areas for 6 hours.
• For the first hour, gently use the treated muscles every 15 minutes: frown, raise your brows and smile.
• Skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas, hot tubs and facials for 24 hours.
• Makeup can be applied gently after 4 hours.
• For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, which can increase bruising. Arnica may help with bruising.
• If your upper lip was treated, drinking through a straw and whistling may feel different for about 2 weeks.

Results start in 3 to 7 days, with full results at 10 to 14 days. First time? A follow-up at about 2 weeks is recommended. Read more in working out after Botox.

Filler aftercare

Covers lip filler, dermal fillers, facial balancing, the non-surgical nose job and scar correction.

• Don't touch, press or massage the treated area for 6 hours, and stay upright for 4 hours.
• Use a cold compress wrapped in a cloth, 10 to 15 minutes at a time, to ease swelling and bruising.
• For 24 to 48 hours, skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas, hot tubs, tanning beds and direct sun.
• Wait 24 hours before applying makeup to the treated area.
• Sleep on your back with your head raised for a few nights. After lip filler, don't bite your lips.
• If you had filler around the mouth, avoid dental work for 2 weeks. Skip facials and facial massage for 2 weeks.
• Avoid smoking, which slows healing and can shorten how long your filler lasts.
• For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, which can increase bruising. Arnica may help with bruising.

Mild swelling and bruising are normal and settle within 1 to 2 weeks. Results show right away, and filler fully settles at about 2 weeks. See alcohol after lip filler.

Filler dissolving aftercare

Covers filler dissolving.

• Don't touch, rub or massage the area for 6 hours, and stay upright for 4 to 6 hours.
• Use a cold compress, 10 to 15 minutes at a time, for swelling.
• For 24 to 48 hours, skip strenuous exercise, alcohol and makeup on the treated area.
• For 1 to 2 weeks, avoid saunas, hot tubs, direct sun, facials and massage on the area, and use gentle skincare with no retinoids, acids or exfoliants.
• For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, which can increase bruising.

Mild swelling, redness and tenderness settle within a few days, and the area may keep changing for 1 to 2 weeks. Wait about 2 weeks before new filler. Read how to fix bad lip filler.

Sculptra and non-surgical BBL aftercare

Covers the non-surgical BBL, hip dip correction, cellulite reduction, Sculptra and Radiesse.

After a non-surgical BBL, hip dip or body treatment:

• For 24 to 48 hours, don't sit or put direct pressure on the treated area. Stand or lie face down when you can.
• For 1 to 2 weeks, use a soft or donut cushion when you sit, and skip strenuous workouts and heavy lifting.
• Avoid saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, tanning beds and direct sun on the area.
• Don't massage or press on the area unless your provider tells you to.
• Cleanse gently, with no harsh products or exfoliants on the area for 1 week.

After Sculptra or Radiesse in the face:

• Follow your provider's massage instructions. After Sculptra, a routine of massaging 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days is common. After Radiesse, don't massage unless told to.
• For 24 hours, skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas and prolonged sun.
• Makeup can be applied after treatment. Cold compresses help with swelling.
• Small bumps from the needles fade within hours.

For all of these treatments: use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for discomfort, and avoid ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo, ginseng and garlic supplements for 1 to 2 weeks. Arnica may help with bruising. Mild swelling, bruising and tenderness settle within 1 to 2 weeks, and results build gradually over the following weeks and months.

Kybella aftercare

Covers Kybella.

• Expect swelling, redness and possibly bruising, numbness or firmness under the chin. It usually lasts less than 5 days, and sometimes up to 2 weeks.
• Ice carefully, with a cloth between the ice pack and your skin, for up to 20 minutes per hour during the first 3 days.
• Sleep with your head raised on 2 to 3 pillows.
• Skip strenuous activity for 3 days.
• Don't scratch, pick or massage the area.
• Your normal skincare and sunscreen are fine.

Call us if you have trouble swallowing, an uneven smile, crusting or scabbing, or symptoms lasting more than 10 days.

Lipo shot aftercare

Covers lipo shots, our fat-dissolving injections for the body.

• Swelling, tenderness, redness and some bruising, numbness or firmness in the treated area are normal. They usually settle within 1 to 2 weeks.
• Use a cold compress wrapped in a cloth, up to 20 minutes at a time, for the first 2 to 3 days.
• Skip strenuous exercise for 3 days, and wear loose, comfortable clothing over the area.
• Don't massage, scratch or press on the area unless your provider tells you to.
• For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin for 1 week.

Results build over 4 to 6 weeks. Your next session, if needed, is usually 4 to 6 weeks later. Call us if you notice increasing pain, spreading redness or warmth, an open sore, or symptoms lasting more than 2 weeks.

PDO thread lift aftercare

Covers the PDO thread lift and the non-surgical tummy tuck.

• Stay upright for 3 to 4 hours, and don't touch, rub or massage the treated areas for 48 hours.
• For 1 to 2 weeks, avoid wide yawning, big smiles and exaggerated facial movements after facial threads.
• Sleep on your back with your head raised for 5 to 7 days.
• Skip makeup for 24 hours, and strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 1 to 2 weeks.
• For 2 weeks, avoid facials, massage, saunas, hot baths, tanning beds and direct sun on the area.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking for 1 week, and use gentle skincare with no retinoids, acids or exfoliants for 1 week.
• If the area around your mouth was treated, avoid dental work for 3 to 4 weeks.
• For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, which can increase bruising.

Mild swelling, bruising and slight unevenness are normal for 2 to 5 days. Call us if you see a thread coming through the skin, or notice severe pain, dimpling or signs of infection. A follow-up at about 1 week is recommended.

Microneedling aftercare

Covers microneedling, with or without PRP, and the PRP facial.

• Redness, mild swelling and a sunburn-like feeling are normal for 24 to 48 hours.
• Don't touch, rub or pick at your skin. Let any flaking shed on its own.
• For 24 hours, skip makeup and use only the gentle products we recommend.
• For 48 hours, avoid retinoids, acids, vitamin C, exfoliants, intense exercise, hot showers, saunas, steam rooms and pools.
• For 7 days, skip scrubs and exfoliation. Stay out of direct sun and wear SPF 30 or higher every day.
• After PRP, avoid alcohol and smoking, and ibuprofen, aspirin and anti-inflammatory supplements, for 3 to 7 days.
• For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, which can increase bruising.

Mild peeling around days 3 to 5 is normal. Full benefits build over the following weeks.

PRP aftercare

Covers PRP hair restoration, under-eye PRP and PRF and PRP for men.

• Don't touch, press or rub the treated area for 8 hours.
• Wait 6 hours before washing the area, showering, or applying lotion, creams or makeup to it.
• For 3 days, avoid vigorous exercise, sun, heat, alcohol, caffeine and smoking.
• Avoid ibuprofen, aspirin and other anti-inflammatories for about 1 week, since PRP works through your body's natural healing response. Tylenol is fine.
• Drink plenty of water, at least 64 ounces a day, for the first week.

Bruising, redness, itching, soreness and swelling can last 3 to 10 days. Your provider may give you additional instructions for your specific treatment area.

Plasma gel and mesotherapy aftercare

Covers plasma gel and mesotherapy.

• Don't touch, rub or massage the treated area for 6 hours.
• Skip makeup and skincare products on the area for the rest of the day.
• For 24 hours, avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas, hot tubs and direct sun.
• Use a cold compress for swelling. For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, which can increase bruising.
• After scalp mesotherapy, wait until the next day to wash your hair.

Small bumps, redness, swelling or bruising at the injection points are normal and usually fade within a few days.

Facial and Hydrafacial aftercare

Covers the Hydrafacial, medical facials, dermaplaning and microdermabrasion.

• After a Hydrafacial, makeup is fine right away.
• For 1 to 2 days, skip retinoids, Retin-A, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, acids, astringents and vitamin C. If your skin still feels sensitive, test products first.
• Avoid sun and tanning beds for 2 days, and wear SPF 30 or higher every day.
• After microdermabrasion, skip exercise and heavy sweating for 24 hours, avoid sun and acne products for 3 days, and don't wax or tweeze the area for 1 week.
• Moisturize twice a day if you notice any peeling, and don't pick at your skin.

For the best results, book your next Hydrafacial or facial in about 4 weeks.

Chemical peel aftercare

Covers chemical peels.

• Your skin may feel like a mild windburn for 2 to 3 days, and may flake for 3 to 5 days after that.
• For 2 days, stay cool: no hot shower spray on your face, hot tubs, saunas, swimming, heavy sweating, loofahs or hair dryers on your face. Don't ice the area.
• Skip makeup the day of your peel.
• Use your post-peel products and moisturize at least twice a day until flaking stops.
• Don't pick or pull at peeling skin, which can cause dark spots.
• Wear SPF 30 or higher every day, avoid direct sun, and stay out of tanning beds for 2 weeks.

Laser hair removal aftercare

Covers laser hair removal.

• Mild redness and bumps are normal for a few hours. A cool compress helps.
• For 24 hours, skip hot showers, saunas, hot tubs and hard workouts.
• For 2 weeks, avoid sun, tanning beds and self-tanner on the treated area, and wear SPF 30 or higher.
• Shaving between sessions is fine. Don't wax, pluck or thread.
• Treated hairs shed over the next 1 to 3 weeks. That's normal.

IPL and laser skin treatment aftercare

Covers the IPL photofacial, Laser Genesis, Titan skin tightening and brown spot removal.

• Mild redness or warmth is normal for a few hours.
• After IPL, dark spots may darken and flake off over 1 to 2 weeks. Don't pick at them.
• For 24 hours, skip hot showers, saunas and hard workouts.
• For 2 weeks, avoid sun and tanning, and wear SPF 30 or higher every day.
• Use gentle skincare for a few days.

IV therapy aftercare

Covers IV therapy and NAD+ IV therapy.

• Keep the bandage on for 15 minutes, or for 1 hour if you bruise easily.
• Drink at least 24 ounces of water, and get plenty of rest.
• Skip exercise for 2 hours after your drip.
• A small bruise at the IV site is common and fades within days.

Call us if you notice anything unusual at the IV site. If you have a reaction that needs immediate care, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

Vitamin shot aftercare

Covers vitamin shots, including B12.

• A little burning, redness or itching at the injection site is normal and fades quickly.
• Mild side effects, like mild diarrhea, can happen and pass on their own.
• Call your doctor right away if you have muscle cramps, weakness or an irregular heartbeat.
• Seek emergency care for chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes or slurred speech.

Most people repeat vitamin shots every 2 to 4 weeks, as your provider recommends.

Weight loss injection aftercare

Covers tirzepatide (Zepbound) and medical weight loss.

• Take your injection on the same day each week, and rotate sites between your stomach, thighs and upper arms.
• Store your medication exactly as your pharmacy instructs.
• Eat smaller meals, stop when you feel full, and go easy on fatty, fried or very sugary foods, which can make nausea worse.
• Drink plenty of water, and make protein a part of every meal.
• Nausea, diarrhea or constipation are common when starting or increasing a dose, and usually ease over time. Tell us if they don't.
• Keep every check-in and lab appointment, so your provider can adjust your dose safely.

Seek care right away for severe stomach pain that won't go away, with or without vomiting, pain in your upper right belly, yellowing of your skin or eyes, a lump or swelling in your neck, trouble swallowing, or signs of an allergic reaction.

Hormone therapy aftercare

Covers hormone replacement therapy for women and testosterone replacement therapy for men.

• Take your hormones exactly as prescribed, and don't change your dose on your own.
• If your treatment includes injections, rotate sites as your provider shows you. Mild soreness at the site is normal.
• Keep your follow-up visits and lab appointments, which keep your treatment safe and effective.
• Tell us about any new medications, symptoms or changes in your health.

Seek emergency care for chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden leg pain or swelling, sudden vision changes, severe headache, or weakness on one side of the body.

Peptide therapy aftercare

Covers peptide therapy.

• Follow your prescribed dose and schedule exactly.
• Store your peptides as your pharmacy instructs, and don't use them past their date.
• If you inject at home, clean the site first and rotate injection sites. Mild redness or itching at the site is normal.
• Keep your follow-up visits, so your provider can monitor your progress.

Call us if you notice anything unusual, and seek emergency care for signs of a serious allergic reaction, like swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing.

Vaginal rejuvenation aftercare

Covers vaginal rejuvenation with filler or Botox.

• Mild swelling, tenderness and bruising are normal for a few days. A cold compress wrapped in a cloth helps.
• For 48 hours, avoid intercourse, strenuous exercise, tight clothing, hot tubs, saunas and swimming.
• Don't massage or press on the treated area unless your provider tells you to.
• Keep the area clean with gentle, unscented products.
• For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, which can increase bruising.

Your provider will give you instructions specific to your treatment. Call us if you notice increasing pain, spreading redness, warmth or any change in skin color.

When to call us right away

Call us, or seek urgent care, if you notice any of the following after a treatment:

• Severe or worsening pain
• Skin that turns white, gray, blue or dusky, especially after filler
• Vision changes after any facial injection
• Signs of infection, like spreading redness, warmth, pus or a fever
• Trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing

Call Cosmetica Med Spa at (561) 621-1578, open every day from 8am to 8pm. For vision changes, skin color changes after filler or trouble breathing, seek emergency care immediately.