Patient Preparation and Aftercare for Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Filler Treatments

Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid fillers remain among the least invasive treatments in aesthetic medicine, but outcomes and comfort still depend on how a patient prepares beforehand and manages the days that follow. Much of this guidance is standard across clinics, though the details differ slightly between the two treatment types. This overview summarises commonly given advice; it is not an injection protocol.

Before a Botulinum Toxin Appointment

Patients are typically advised to:

• Avoid blood-thinning medication where possible, including aspirin, other antiplatelet drugs, and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, in the days beforehand, as these increase the likelihood of bruising at injection sites. Any medication that cannot be stopped should be disclosed to the treating practitioner.
• Limit high-dose supplements associated with a blood-thinning effect, such as vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, omega-3, and garlic taken in concentrated form.
• Avoid alcohol for a short period before treatment, again to reduce bruising risk.
• Avoid anything that leaves the skin sensitive, such as significant sun exposure or a resurfacing treatment shortly before the appointment, since sunburnt or freshly treated skin is harder to inject comfortably and safely.

After a Botulinum Toxin Appointment

Commonly given aftercare guidance includes:

• Avoiding pressure or massage on the treated area for the first 24 hours, since displacing the product before it has taken effect can influence the outcome.
• Remaining upright and avoiding lying flat for several hours after treatment.
• Avoiding postures where the head is inverted, including certain exercise or yoga positions.
• Skipping strenuous exercise, saunas, and heated pools for a day or two.
• Delaying makeup application and other skincare steps for a short period, and using a gentle cleanser in the meantime.
• Avoiding alcohol for roughly the first day.
• Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen, and taking paracetamol rather than anti-inflammatory medication if any discomfort occurs.

Before a Dermal Filler Appointment

Preparation advice for filler treatment overlaps with botulinum toxin but has a few of its own points of emphasis:

• Avoiding alcohol on the day of, and the day before, treatment.
• Avoiding aspirin, NSAIDs and anticoagulant medication for roughly three days beforehand where medically appropriate.
• Limiting sun exposure in the days leading up to the appointment.
• Flagging a history of recurrent cold sores when lip treatment is planned, as filler in this area can occasionally trigger an outbreak; a preventative antiviral may be considered.
• Pausing retinol or glycolic-acid skincare in favour of a gentle moisturiser in the run-up to treatment.

After a Dermal Filler Appointment

Typical aftercare guidance includes:

• Avoiding pressure on the treated area for at least six hours.
• Using ice to help manage swelling, and keeping the area clean.
• Limiting direct sun exposure for the rest of the day.
• Avoiding alcohol and intense exercise for around 24 hours.
• Sleeping with the head slightly elevated for the following few nights, which can help reduce swelling.
• Avoiding saunas and steam rooms for about a week.
• Holding off on retinoid or AHA-based products until the following day.
• Delaying makeup on the treated area for a few hours and avoiding major events for the rest of that day.

Where lip filler is involved, practitioners often add a few extra points: delaying dental procedures for around two weeks, avoiding exaggerated facial movement or very firm foods for the first day, and, ideally, avoiding smoking for several days.

Cold compresses and an arnica-based cream are commonly recommended in the first days after either treatment to help manage bruising.

Screening Considerations Common to Both

A small number of patients are generally not suitable candidates for botulinum toxin or dermal fillers, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a known allergy to the product or its components, have a neuromuscular condition affecting the muscles to be treated, or are significantly immunosuppressed. These are assessed on an individual basis as part of a thorough consultation.

The Takeaway

Preparation and aftercare guidance for botulinum toxin and fillers is largely about minimising bruising, protecting the treated area while it settles, and giving patients clear expectations for what the following days will look like. Sharing this information clearly before treatment, and reinforcing it in writing, supports both comfort and outcome.

To review consumables and aftercare products for clinic use, browse the dermal fillers range.