Botox Aftercare: What to Do in the First 48 Hours
By SL Aesthetic Medicine LLC | September 17, 2026
Serving Madison, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Monona, and Cross Plains
The single most important Botox aftercare rule is simple: don’t rub, massage, or press on the treated areas for the first 24 to 48 hours. That one habit is a big part of protecting your results, especially if you’ve had masseter botox or injections around the forehead and eyes. At our Mineral Point Road corridor location in southwest Madison, we keep Botox appointments efficient, usually about 60 minutes, and we’ll send you out the door with clear next steps.
If you’re reading this in the parking lot before you head back toward West Towne or onto the Beltline, you’re in the right place. Here’s exactly what we want you to do, and what we want you to skip, in the first 48 hours.
First 4 hours vs. 24 to 48 hours: the Botox rules that actually matter
Immediately after Botox (first 4 hours)
- Stay upright for 4 hours. That means no lying down for a nap and no face-down massage tables.
- Keep your hands off the treated areas. No rubbing, no gua sha, no tight helmet straps pressing into injection spots.
- If you have a little redness or tiny bumps at injection points, that’s usually short-lived. Let them settle on their own.
Short-term protection (24 to 48 hours)
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 to 48 hours. A gentle walk is fine. We just don’t want heavy sweating and increased blood flow to raise bruising risk.
- Skip saunas, steam rooms, and hot yoga for 24 to 48 hours.
- No alcohol for 24 hours. It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce the chance of bruising.
- Cold compress is OK if you’re puffy, but be gentle. Use light contact, short intervals, and don’t press or massage.
Quick note for masseter botox: Your jaw can feel a little tired or “aware” for a day or two. That’s normal. What we don’t want is aggressive chewing workouts, jaw massage, or constant gum chewing right away.
Days 2 to 7: how to live your life without accidentally messing with your Botox
Most people feel totally normal after botox shots, which is great. It also means it’s easy to forget aftercare. Keep the basics going through the first week: hands off, no intentional facial massage, and be thoughtful about heat and pressure.
Facials, peels, microneedling, and devices
Hold off on facials and energy-based treatments for at least two weeks after Botox. That includes anything that uses suction, strong pressure, or heat. If you’re on a skin plan with us, we’ll help you space things so your results stack in the right order.
Madison winter tip: wind and indoor heat can irritate
In Madison’s cooler, drier months, skin tends to feel tighter fast, especially with indoor heating running. Go a little heavier on hydration than you think you need, and protect your face from harsh wind if you’re in and out of the car around the West Towne area.
Makeup, skincare, and showering: the simple choices that protect results
Skincare and cleansing
You can wash your face the day of Botox, just keep it gentle. Use lukewarm water, a mild cleanser, and pat dry. No scrubs. No cleansing brushes. And don’t press hard around injection sites.
When you can wear makeup
We generally recommend waiting at least 4 to 6 hours before applying makeup. When you do, use a light touch. Think dabbing, not rubbing.
If you bruise easily
Plan on low-key skin for 24 hours: no alcohol, no intense workouts, and no heat. If a bruise pops up, it usually settles down over the next several days. If you get a bruise that’s rapidly expanding or unusually painful, reach out.
And yes, you can shower. Keep the water warm, not scorching, and don’t aim high-pressure spray directly at your face right away.
Masseter botox and Botox for migraines: what changes, what doesn’t
Aftercare is mostly the same no matter where we inject: protect the area, avoid pressure, and skip intense workouts for a day or two. The difference is what you notice.
Masseter muscle Botox (jaw slimming, clenching, TMJ-type tension)
- Avoid jaw massage and facial tools for 48 hours.
- Keep chewing habits calm for a couple of days. Hard bagels and constant gum can make your jaw feel more tired.
- If you wear a nightguard for clenching, keep using it unless we tell you otherwise.
Botox for migraines
Migraine protocols involve multiple injection points. The big aftercare focus is still no pressure and no heavy exercise right away. If you have a headache flare, note it and tell us at your follow-up so we can document what you felt and when.
Timing reminder: Botox isn’t instant. You’ll usually start noticing changes in a few days, with full results commonly showing up around 10 to 14 days.
If something feels “off, ” reach out to our Mineral Point Road team
Most post-Botox concerns are small and fixable, especially when we talk early. We’re big on education and follow-through, and that’s something our regulars mention a lot. One client put it simply:
"She took the time to get to know me some which helped her decide what would be best for me and my lifestyle"
one of our regulars
Call us right away if you notice any of these
- Worsening asymmetry that develops suddenly
- Eyelid or eyebrow drooping
- Vision changes
- Severe pain or intense pressure that doesn’t calm down
- Large, expanding bruises
- Signs of infection like increasing redness, heat, swelling, or drainage
If everything feels normal, great. If you want us to check symmetry or talk next steps, we’re easy to get to in southwest Madison near the West Towne area. And if you’re mapping out a longer plan, our blog on injectables services in the West Towne area is a good place to start.
Need a quick check-in? Call us at +16085164025 or email slaesthetic1@gmail.com. If you’re already on your way past Mineral Point Road, we’ll help you figure out the simplest next step.
Find us in Madison, WI
SL Aesthetic Medicine LLC | 7475 Mineral Point Road, Suite 42 Room 115, Madison, WI 53717