Before your appointment
- Avoid alcohol for about 24 hours beforehand, since it can increase bruising.
- Skip optional supplements that can raise bruising risk, like fish oil, vitamin E and ibuprofen, for a few days if you can. Never stop a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor.
- Come with a clean face or plan to remove makeup when you arrive.
- Plan around events. Book at least two weeks before a wedding or photo shoot so you'll see full results.
At your appointment
Consultation. Your injector asks about your goals and health history, then watches how your face moves when you frown, smile and raise your brows. Many injectors measure and mark the brows and forehead first, so every injection point is placed precisely.
Treatment. After cleansing, a few tiny Botox injections are placed in each area. Most people describe it as a quick pinch, and the whole treatment takes about 15 minutes.
Right after. You may see small bumps at the injection points for 15 to 30 minutes, and occasionally a small bruise. You can return to work right away.
Aftercare
- Stay upright for four hours
- Don't touch, rub or massage the treated areas for six hours
- For the first hour, gently frown, raise your brows and smile every 15 minutes
- Skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas, hot tubs and facials for 24 hours
- Makeup can be applied gently after four hours
- For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) rather than ibuprofen or aspirin
See our full Botox aftercare guide.
When will I see results?
Lines start to soften in three to seven days, with full results at 10 to 14 days. We recommend a check-in at about two weeks so we can make sure you're happy.
Will I look frozen?
Not when Botox is done well. Our injectors aim for natural results, so you can still move your face and express yourself.
Compare Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, or see our Botox cost guide. Questions about Botox? Book a consultation and we'll walk you through it.