Should I Get a Facial Before or After Botox?

If you’re planning a facial and Botox around the same time, I recommend scheduling your facial before your injections whenever possible.

I’m frequently asked, “Should I get a facial before or after Botox?” My preference is before, ideally 24–48 hours ahead of your injectable appointment.

The reason is simple: many facials include massage, exfoliation, microcurrent or pressure on the face, which may not be appropriate immediately after injections.

If you’ve already had Botox, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to cancel your facial. The treatment may simply need to be modified depending on how recently you were injected and your injector’s aftercare instructions.

Why I Recommend a Facial Before Botox

Most facials involve some combination of facial massage, exfoliation, extractions or pressure on the skin. That’s exactly why I prefer doing the facial first.

Scheduling your facial before Botox allows me to treat the skin without having to work around freshly injected areas. I can massage, exfoliate and customize the treatment based on what your skin needs without worrying about disturbing your recent injections.

I recommend scheduling your facial 24–48 hours before Botox whenever possible. You’ll go into your injectable appointment with freshly treated, hydrated skin, and you won’t have to modify the facial because of recent injections.

If you’ve already had Botox, you still have options. That’s where the type of facial and how we perform it become important.

Can You Get a Facial After Botox?

Yes, but the facial may need to be modified depending on how recently you received your injections.

If you’ve had Botox within the last 7 days, always let your esthetician know before your treatment and follow the aftercare instructions provided by your injector. I avoid facial massage, microcurrent and significant pressure over recently treated areas.

This is one reason I especially like the Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial after recent injections. The treatment can be performed without facial massage and uses a gentle oxygen infusion to apply hydrating serum to the skin without significant manipulation.

I simply modify the treatment around your recent injections while still giving your skin the hydration and care it needs.

If you’re unsure whether enough time has passed for your regular facial, check with your injector before your appointment.

Benefits of Getting a Facial Before Botox

Getting a facial before Botox gives your esthetician the freedom to treat your skin fully without having to avoid recently injected areas. It also allows your facial and Botox to do two very different jobs.

Hydration: A hydrating facial can help plump dehydrated skin and soften the appearance of fine lines, giving the skin a smoother, healthier appearance before your injections.

Exfoliation: Removing surface buildup and dead skin cells helps improve the texture and brightness of the skin.

Facial massage + lymphatic drainage: When performed before Botox, I can include facial massage and lymphatic techniques without having to work around recent injections.

Treating the skin itself: Botox addresses expression lines by temporarily reducing muscle movement. A facial works differently, addressing concerns such as dehydration, dullness, texture and overall skin health.

How Long After Botox Can I Get a Facial?

If you prefer to have your facial after Botox, the safest timing depends on the type of facial you’re planning and the aftercare instructions from your injector.
For treatments that include facial massage, gua sha, microcurrent or significant pressure, I recommend waiting at least 7–10 days after Botox, or longer if your injector advises it.

Gentler treatments may be possible sooner. As I mentioned above, I can modify an Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial by leaving out facial massage and avoiding unnecessary pressure on recently injected areas.

The most important thing is to tell your esthetician when you received Botox and where you were injected so the facial can be adjusted appropriately.

When in doubt, always follow your injector’s Botox aftercare instructions before scheduling any facial treatment.

Facial Before Botox: How to Time Your Appointments

If you’re scheduling both treatments, my preference is simple: facial first, Botox second.

For most people, I recommend scheduling your facial 24–48 hours before Botox. This gives your skin time to settle after exfoliation, extractions or massage before your injectable appointment.

If your facial includes a more intensive treatment, such as a chemical peel, microneedling or another treatment that may leave the skin temporarily sensitive, you’ll want more time between appointments. Your esthetician and injector can help you determine the appropriate timing based on the treatments you’re receiving.

And if Botox comes first, remember that you don’t necessarily have to skip your facial altogether. You may simply need to wait or choose a gentler, modified facial until you’re cleared to resume facial massage, microcurrent and other treatments.
The easiest rule to remember: when you have a choice, schedule your facial before Botox.

Looking for a Facial in Aspen?

At Heaven on Earth in downtown Aspen, I customize each facial based on your skin, including whether you’ve recently had Botox or other injectable treatments.

The Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial is my most-requested facial and one I particularly like when hydration, fine lines and a refreshed appearance are the goal.

Explore Aspen Facial Treatments

Want to Soften Expression Lines Without Botox?

If forehead lines, 11 lines or crow’s feet are concerns, there are also non-injectable ways to help soften their appearance

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I use a combination of targeted skincare and professional treatments depending on the type of lines you’re seeing and what you want to achieve.

Read: How to Smooth Forehead Lines and 11 Lines Without Botox

I also recommend Intraceuticals Atoxelene Daily Serum as a targeted peptide serum for expression lines around the eyes, across the forehead and between the brows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get a facial the day before Botox?
A: Yes. I generally recommend scheduling your facial 24–48 hours before Botox. This allows time for the skin to settle after massage, exfoliation or extractions before your injectable appointment.

Q: How long after Botox can I get a facial?
A: It depends on the type of facial. For treatments involving facial massage, gua sha, microcurrent or significant pressure, I recommend waiting at least 7–10 days, or following the specific aftercare instructions from your injector. A gentle facial may be possible sooner with appropriate modifications.

Q: Can I get an Oxygen Facial after Botox?
A: An Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial can be modified after recent Botox because I can leave out facial massage and avoid significant pressure over the injected areas. Always tell your esthetician when and where you were injected, and follow your injector’s aftercare instructions.

Q:Can I get facial massage after Botox?
A: I recommend avoiding facial massage for at least 7–10 days after Botox, unless your injector has advised otherwise. When you return to facial massage should always be based on your injector’s specific aftercare guidance.