You just left your Botox appointment at Alesca Aesthetics in Lancaster. Now what? The next 24 hours matter more than most clients realize — small choices can protect your results or, in rare cases, cause the botulinum toxin to migrate away from the intended muscle.
Morgan White, MSN — our sole injector — walks every client through aftercare in person, but here's the full reference guide to keep handy.
The first 4 hours (most important)
Stay upright. No lying flat, no bending forward, no yoga inversions, no napping face-down. The freshly injected botulinum toxin needs to bind to the target muscle before it can settle. Gravity is not your friend if you lie down within 4 hours.
Don't rub, massage, or touch the injection sites. Even gently. Rubbing can spread the toxin into nearby muscles you didn't want frozen — like accidentally treating the wrong part of your forehead and getting a drooping brow.
Skip makeup on treated areas. The pressure of blending foundation over your forehead or crow's feet can shift the product. If you must apply makeup, tap it gently — never rub in circles.
Hours 4-24
Avoid strenuous exercise. Elevated heart rate + heavy sweating can theoretically diffuse the toxin. Skip the gym, hot yoga, running, and heavy lifting for 24 hours. A gentle walk is fine.
No hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, or hot showers on your face. Heat expands blood vessels and can worsen swelling or bruising.
Skip alcohol. Alcohol thins the blood and increases bruising risk. This is why we tell you to avoid it for 24 hours BEFORE too — the effect compounds.
Sleep on your back, propped up. Extra pillows help. Avoid sleeping face-down on the pillow.
Days 2-7
You're mostly in the clear. A few things to keep in mind:
Bruising: If small purple spots appear at injection sites, don't panic. This resolves in 5-10 days. Arnica cream or tablets speed healing. Warm (not hot) compresses after day 3 help. Vitamin K cream also helps.
Small bumps: Occasionally you'll see tiny raised bumps at the injection sites. These resolve within 20-30 minutes.
Results timing: Don't expect instant results. Botox works over time — you'll notice softening around days 3-5, and full effect around days 10-14. Do NOT judge your results before day 14.
Follow-up: If at 2 weeks something feels asymmetric or under-treated, message us. Small touch-ups are normal for new clients and included in your initial consultation package.
Longer-term (weeks 2-16)
Skincare: Continue your normal skincare routine after 24 hours. Retinoids, exfoliants, acids — all fine on days 2+. Just avoid microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or microchanneling for at least 2 weeks after Botox.
Facial treatments: If you booked a facial at Alesca, ideally schedule it 1-2 weeks BEFORE Botox, not after. If after, wait at least 14 days.
Sun protection: SPF 30+ every day. UV damage accelerates the breakdown of injected products AND causes the very wrinkles Botox is treating.
Timing your next appointment: Most clients rebook every 3-4 months. Your results will start softening around month 3. Book before you've fully lost the effect — this maintains a steady baseline and prevents your target muscles from "re-training" back to full strength.
Red flags — call us
Rare, but important. Contact Morgan directly if you experience:
- Drooping eyelid or eyebrow that persists past day 3
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing (call 911 first)
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Severe headache lasting more than 24 hours
- Signs of infection at injection sites (fever, redness expanding, warmth)
For anything else concerning, call 717-584-4912.
Common questions
Can I take Tylenol for a headache? Yes. Avoid ibuprofen, aspirin, and Aleve for 24 hours (they're blood thinners). Tylenol is safe.
When can I fly? Same day is fine. Cabin pressure doesn't affect Botox.
Can I get a massage? Full body yes. Facial massage no, for 2 weeks.
Can I go to the dentist? Yes, but tell them you had Botox recently — some dental procedures involve mouth-area manipulation that could affect lower-face injections.
Will Botox make me look frozen? Not when Morgan does it. At Alesca, we dose for natural movement — your expressions should still read as YOU, just smoother. If you want dramatic freeze, that's a specific conversation to have at consultation.
Ready for your next visit?
Botox lasts 3-4 months on average. When you're ready for a touch-up, book online or call 717-584-4912. New client? Learn more about our Botox service — $13/unit with Morgan White, MSN.