Templates · Free template · Aftercare
Botox Aftercare Instructions
A printable handout for clients after neurotoxin injections: what not to do in the first hours, what is normal, when the result develops, and the symptoms that need urgent care.
How to use this sheet
This is a draft to adapt, not a finished protocol. Timings such as how long to avoid exercise, heat, or active skincare differ between devices, products, and practitioners, so check every line against what you actually tell clients, fill in the blanks at the bottom, and have your medical director or clinical lead review it before you use it.
Print it, save it as a PDF, or send it digitally. Tick the aftercare box on the client's chart so there is a record that the instructions were given.
The one item you cannot leave out
The product monographs carry a warning about distant spread of toxin effect, which can cause difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing. It is rare at cosmetic doses, but clients must know to seek care immediately, so the sheet keeps it in plain words. Keep the emergency box, and confirm the wording with your prescriber.
Why a written sheet matters
Clients forget most of what they are told in the room, especially straight after an injection or a peel. A written sheet answers the 9 p.m. question of whether something is normal, tells them exactly when it is not, and shows that you gave the instructions.
Botox Aftercare Instructions
Your treatment
Get emergency help right away if
- You have trouble swallowing, speaking, or breathing.
- You have widespread muscle weakness, or weakness away from where you were injected.
- You have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives or swelling of the face or throat.
What is normal
- Small bumps at the injection sites that settle within a few hours.
- Mild redness or tenderness, and occasional bruising that fades over days.
- A mild headache on the first day.
- No change straight away. The effect builds gradually, often starting within the first week and settling in by about two weeks. It is temporary and usually lasts around three to four months, and this varies from person to person.
What not to do after Botox
Unless your injector told you otherwise.
- Do not rub, press, or massage the treated areas for 24 hours.
- Do not lie flat or bend over for long periods for the first few hours.
- Skip strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
- Avoid heat for 24 hours: saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, and very hot showers.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours, since it can increase bruising.
- No facials, facial massage, or other treatments on the area until we say it is fine.
Call us if
- An eyelid or brow droops, or the result looks uneven. This can happen and is usually temporary, but we want to hear about it.
- You have redness, warmth, or pus at an injection site, or a fever.
- You have a severe headache that does not settle.
- You are unhappy with the result and want a review.
Your clinic
Your practitioner fills this in before you leave.
- Instructions explained verbally
- Client received a copy
Template from zdrovia.ca/templates/botox-aftercare-instructions/ · Adapt to your clinic's protocol and have it reviewed by your medical director or clinical lead before use.
Send the right aftercare to every client automatically
In Zdrovia you write an aftercare sheet once under Patient Instructions and attach it to the service as its post-visit instruction. Every booking for that service delivers it to the client through their portal or by message, and you can embed it on your own website. Free for solo practitioners, with data stored in Canada.
See how Zdrovia is set up for med spas.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a client avoid exercise after Botox?
Many injectors say 24 hours, but practice varies. Write the timing you use on the sheet.
Should the sheet say when results appear?
Yes. Clients who expect an instant change worry when nothing happens. Say that it builds gradually over roughly two weeks and varies between people.
Does the same sheet cover masseter treatment?
Use it as a base. Masseter and other off-label areas can have their own considerations, such as soft food for a short period, so check with your injector.
Related
This sheet is general patient education, not medical advice for any individual. Timings and products differ between treatments, devices, and practitioners, and your clinician's instructions for a specific client always take priority. Have your medical director or clinical lead review and adapt it before you give it to clients.