What should you tell your doctor before treatment?
Share all medicines, herbal products and supplements, allergies, past illnesses, whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding and any previous aesthetic treatments.
This information directly affects whether a treatment suits you and how it is planned. Anticoagulants, painkillers such as aspirin and some supplements can increase bruising; certain antibiotics can alter the effect of toxin. The type and date of any previous filler or biostimulator matter for choosing the new product and amount. If you are unsure of the details, bringing previous records or product cards can help, and international patients may find it useful to have these translated.
You should never stop a medicine on your own because of an aesthetic treatment. For medicines taken for heart, circulation or clotting conditions, any decision should be made with the prescribing doctor. Mention any important event, wedding or flight home as well, because bruising and swelling last a variable time and some products take days or weeks to settle. Building in a little time before travelling can make follow-up easier.
How should you prepare on the day?
The treatment area should be clean and free of make-up, and there should be no active infection or cold sore. If you feel unwell, contact the clinic about postponing.
Make-up and skincare products are removed before treatment and the skin is then prepared with an antiseptic solution, so arriving without make-up can make things easier. If you have a new spot, cold sore, wound or redness in the treatment area, show it to your doctor, as treatment may need to be postponed. Eating a light meal beforehand may help reduce light-headedness, particularly if you feel anxious about needles.
A numbing cream may be used for comfort in some treatments, and it can need a short time to take effect. Read the consent form carefully and ask about anything that is unclear. You can ask for the name and batch number of the product and for it to be opened in front of you. Avoiding a busy schedule for the rest of the day can help you feel more comfortable if there is any swelling or tenderness.
What should you do after Botox?
It is commonly advised not to massage, press or lie down for the first few hours, and to avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and alcohol for the first day. Your doctor's instructions take priority.
These precautions aim to help the product stay in the intended muscles and to reduce bruising. Massage, facials or a tight hat or headband pressing on the area may not be advised on the first day. Some doctors give individual instructions, so it is more important to follow the written advice you are given than general tips. The effect usually takes a few days to start appearing and varies from person to person.
A mild headache, slight redness or small bruises at injection points are common and usually settle on their own. Symptoms such as a drooping eyelid, double vision, difficulty swallowing or speaking, shortness of breath or widespread muscle weakness should be reported to your doctor without delay. With serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest emergency department. A review is usually planned once the effect has settled.
What should you do after filler or biostimulators?
Swelling, tenderness and bruising can occur in the first days. Avoiding strenuous exercise, saunas, sunbeds and alcohol for a short period and not rubbing the area are usually advised; with some biostimulators, massage may specifically be recommended.
After hyaluronic acid filler, swelling can be noticeable, especially around the lips and eyes, and usually eases over several days. Cold compresses and sleeping with your head slightly raised may help. You may also be advised to postpone dental treatment for a short while. With some biostimulators such as PLLA, your doctor may ask you to massage the area for a period, so always follow the instructions given for your specific product.
It is important to know the signs of a blocked blood vessel, a rare but serious complication. If you notice severe or worsening pain, blanching, a purplish or lace-like change in skin colour, coldness, blisters or any change in your vision during or after treatment, contact your doctor straight away. A change in vision is an emergency; if you cannot reach your doctor, go to the nearest emergency department immediately, including if you are already abroad.
What should you do after devices or mesotherapy?
Redness, tenderness and mild swelling are common. Sun protection, gentle cleansing and pausing active skincare for the period your doctor recommends are usually advised.
After treatments that create tiny openings in the skin, such as microneedling radiofrequency and mesotherapy, you may be advised to avoid make-up for a short time and to stay away from pools, saunas and activities that make you sweat heavily. It is worth asking your doctor when you can restart retinoid, acid or peeling products. Sun protection may help reduce the risk of pigmentation, particularly after heat and energy-based treatments.
After ultrasound or radiofrequency treatments you may notice temporary tenderness, mild swelling or numbness. Contact your doctor if you notice anything unusual, such as a burn, fluid-filled blisters, worsening pain or signs of infection. How long results take to appear depends on the method and the individual; with many device treatments change is assessed gradually. You can plan the timing of your review with your doctor, including remotely if you have returned home.
Frequently asked questions
When can I lie down after Botox?
Many doctors advise not lying down for the first few hours. This can vary between doctors, so please follow the instructions you are given.
When can I exercise after filler?
Strenuous exercise is usually postponed for a short period. As the timing can vary with the treatment and the area, ask your doctor.
Can I fly after Botox or filler?
Many patients fly home after injectable treatments, but timing depends on the treatment and your health. Discuss your travel plans at consultation so your doctor can advise and plan follow-up.
Should I stop aspirin before treatment?
If you take aspirin for a heart or circulation condition, do not stop it on your own. Discuss it with both your aesthetic doctor and the doctor who prescribed it.
Which symptoms mean I should contact the doctor straight away?
After filler: severe pain, blanching or a change in skin colour and any change in vision. After toxin: difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing. If you have vision or breathing problems, go to the nearest emergency department.
When can I wear make-up after Botox or filler?
After Botox or filler, it is usually advised to wait at least a few hours, often until the next day, before wearing make-up. Applying products before the needle entry points close may increase infection risk. When you start again, use a clean brush or sponge without pressing on the treated area. With noticeable swelling or tenderness after filler, your doctor may suggest waiting longer.
Can a long flight home make swelling worse after Botox or filler?
It can for some people: in the first days after filler, long periods of sitting and cabin conditions may make swelling more noticeable, though most can fly; after Botox, a long flight is not usually a problem. What matters more is reaching your doctor quickly if a rare but urgent complication develops, so plan the first days and your review before booking.
How long after filler should I avoid alcohol?
After filler, it is generally advised to avoid alcohol for the first 24–48 hours. Alcohol widens blood vessels and can affect clotting, which may increase swelling and bruising. Limiting alcohol the day before treatment may also help reduce the chance of bruising. As the time can vary with the area and the product, follow the written instructions you are given.
How far ahead of a wedding or big event should I have Botox or filler?
For a wedding or important event, Botox is usually advised 2–4 weeks beforehand; its effect starts within a few days and the full result shows at around two weeks. Swelling and bruising after filler settle within a few days to a week for most people but can sometimes last longer, so allowing at least two weeks for filler leaves time for a review and adjustment.
Sources (4)
- Goodman GJ, Liew S, Callan P, Hart S (Australasian Journal of Dermatology): Facial aesthetic injections in clinical practice: Pretreatment and posttreatment consensus recommendations to minimise adverse outcomes (2020)
- American Academy of Dermatology: Botulinum toxin therapy: FAQs
- Global Aesthetics Consensus Group (Sundaram H et al.): Global Aesthetics Consensus: Botulinum Toxin Type A - Evidence-Based Review, Emerging Concepts, and Consensus Recommendations for Aesthetic Use, Including Updates on Complications (2016)
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery: Preventing and Treating Adverse Events of Injectable Fillers: Evidence-Based Recommendations From the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Multidisciplinary Task Force (2021)
This content is for general information and does not replace a personal medical assessment.