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POST CARE GUIDE

Botox and Neurotoxin Aftercare

Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, and Xeomin all work by relaxing the muscles behind dynamic wrinkles. The first 24 hours decide how cleanly the result lands. This guide walks you through the full recovery — from leaving the chair through your two-week peak — including the 4-hour upright rule, the 24-hour exercise pause, the 48-hour flight restriction, and the symptoms that should bring you back to us.

Download Post Care Guide (806) 701-5840

YOUR RECOVERY, IN ORDER

What happens, and when

Here is the path from treatment day to final result.

First 4 Hours

Stay upright

No lying down, bending forward, or pressure on the face. Light walking is fine. This is when the neurotoxin is binding to its target receptors — let it land exactly where it was placed.

First 24 Hours

No sweat, no pressure

Skip strenuous exercise, hot yoga, and saunas — increased blood flow during this window can drift product into unintended muscles. No facials, massage, or rubbing the injection sites.

Day 3 to 14

Watch it work

Movement softens by day 3 and reaches its peak around day 14. If anything reads uneven at the 2-week mark, book a touch-up assessment — that is exactly what the window is for.

YOUR RECOVERY, IN ORDER

How to Care for the Treated Area After Botox

Track your timeline

Note the day you were treated. Movement softens around day 3, with peak result at day 14. If you notice asymmetry or a heavy brow at the 2-week mark, that is the moment to book a touch-up assessment.

Manage discomfort with Tylenol only

Mild headache or a sensation of pressure across the forehead can occur as the neurotoxin settles. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) only — skip ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, which thin the blood and increase bruising.

Sleep on your back (first night)

Sleep face up the first night to keep the product where it was placed. An extra pillow under your head helps if you tend to roll. Avoid sleeping face-down or side-pressed against a pillow.

Stay upright (first 4 hours)

Sit, stand, or walk gently for the first 4 hours after your appointment. No leaning forward, no lying flat, no pressure on the face. A short walk is fine and actually helps.

Resume skincare (next morning)

Resume your regular skincare routine the morning after, including SPF. If your routine includes high-strength retinol or exfoliating acids, give those 48 hours before restarting.

Cleanse gently (that evening)

Cleanse with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser the evening of your treatment. Fingertips only — no washcloths or face brushes. Avoid scrubbing or massaging the injection sites.

WHAT TO EXPECT

What's Normal: Botox & Neurotoxin Downtime

Normal, temporary, and part of the process.

No real downtime

Neurotoxin injections are designed around the working day. You can return to your office, errands, and normal life the moment you leave — no recovery, no restrictions on routine activity beyond the first few hours of upright posture. The one consideration worth planning around is the possibility of visible bruising, which is why many clients book Thursday or Friday and let the weekend handle any pinpoint marks before Monday.

Mild headache

In the first day or two, the treated muscles begin the slow shift from contraction to release. That transition can register as a band of pressure across the forehead or a mild headache as the surrounding nerves adjust. Hydrate generously and reach for acetaminophen rather than ibuprofen. A severe or unusual headache warrants a call — see the When to Call section below.

Mild redness

Light pinkness or pinpoint red marks where the needle entered are the skin's normal vascular response to puncture. The tissue reroutes blood flow to the area as it begins to repair, and the color fades over the following few hours. A cool compress applied in ten-minute intervals shortens the visible window if you have somewhere to be.

Injection site bruising

A pinpoint bruise forms when the needle catches a small capillary on its path into the muscle. It is a cosmetic outcome, not a clinical concern, and typically resolves over seven to ten days. Topical arnica gel accelerates the healing curve; oral arnica started the morning of treatment helps even more. Concealer over the area is appropriate after the first four hours.

Injection bumps

Small raised welts appear at each injection point in the moments after treatment. These are the saline diluent carrying the neurotoxin, not the medication itself, and they reabsorb into the surrounding tissue within fifteen to thirty minutes. Most have settled before you have finished walking back to your car.

FOR ONE WEEK

What to Avoid After Botox or Neurotoxin

Air Travel

Skip flights for 48 hours after treatment. Cabin pressure changes are a known risk factor for product migration and can affect how cleanly your result settles.

Alcohol

Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and 24 hours after treatment. Alcohol thins blood and significantly increases bruising at injection sites — it is the single most preventable cause of post-treatment bruises.

Lying Flat

Do not lie down or bend forward for 4 hours after treatment. Pressure and gravity in this window can drift the neurotoxin into unintended muscles, causing uneven results or eyelid droop.

Touching the Treated Area

No rubbing, massaging, or applying pressure to the injection sites for the first 24 hours. No facials, micro-needling, or face-down massage for at least one week.

Strenuous Exercise

Skip the gym, hot yoga, running, and HIIT for 24 hours. Elevated heart rate and blood flow during the binding window risk product migration. A walk is fine.

Heat

Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and very hot showers for 24 hours. Heat dilates blood vessels, increasing both bruising and the risk of product migration.

When to Call The Spa After Botox or Neurotoxin

Contact The Spa immediately if you experience:

Mild headache, pinpoint bruising, and minor tightness at the treated area are all normal. Call us right away if you experience any of the following:

Severe or unusual headache that does not respond to acetaminophen.
Changes in vision — blurred vision, double vision, or a drooping eyelid that affects your sight.
Difficulty swallowing, breathing, or speaking — rare, but requires immediate medical evaluation.
Muscle weakness beyond the treated area — unexpected weakness in the arms, legs, or facial muscles that were not injected.
Signs of allergic reaction — hives, intense itching, rash, or swelling of the lips or tongue.

During business hours, call us at (806) 701-5840. For severe symptoms outside business hours, go to the nearest emergency room and notify us as soon as you are able.

FAQ

Your questions, answered

We’ve answered some of the most common questions below to help make your experience simple, transparent, and stress-free.

All four are FDA-approved botulinum toxin type A injections that relax targeted muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles. The differences come down to onset, duration, formulation, and spread.

Botox — the original. Most-studied, most-used. Onset 4 to 7 days, duration 3 to 5 months.
Dysport — faster onset (2 to 3 days), broader spread. Good for forehead lines and larger surface areas.
Daxxify — the longest-lasting. Average duration 6 months, sometimes longer.
Xeomin — filtered of accessory proteins. The right choice for clients who have built resistance to other brands.

We carry all four at The Spa by Sheena. Your injector recommends the right one based on your face, history, and goals — not what is in stock.

What's the difference between Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, and Xeomin?

Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin typically last 3 to 5 months per session. Daxxify averages 6 months and can extend further. The exact duration for your face depends on metabolism, dose, muscle strength, and how consistently you treat — clients who have been on a regular schedule for years often see results stretch longer.

Most clients at The Spa by Sheena book maintenance every 3 to 4 months for Botox and Dysport, every 5 to 6 months for Daxxify. The right cadence is the one where you book again at the first sign of movement returning — not after the lines are fully back.

How long does Botox last in Lubbock?

Standard Botox dosing by area:

Forehead lines — 12 to 24 units
The 11s (glabellar) — 20 to 30 units
Crow's feet — 12 to 24 units per side
Bunny lines — 4 to 6 units
Lip flip — 4 to 6 units
Masseter slimming or TMJ — 20 to 50 units per side

Stronger muscles need more units, and dosing varies by brand. Your injector calculates exact units at your appointment. We do not sell minimum packages — you pay for the units you actually receive.

How many units of Botox do I need?

Per-unit Botox pricing at The Spa by Sheena:

Botox — $14 / unit
Xeomin — $14 / unit
Daxxify — $7 / unit
Dysport — $5 / unit

Dysport units are smaller than Botox units, so you need more of them for the same effect — total Dysport visit cost is comparable to Botox. Daxxify uses similar unit counts to Botox at a lower per-unit price. VIP members save 10% on per-unit pricing every session. We do not bundle minimum packages.

How much does Botox cost per unit in Lubbock?

Initial softening shows at 4 to 7 days for Botox and Xeomin, 2 to 3 days for Dysport, and as early as 1 to 2 days for Daxxify. Full result lands at 14 days for every brand — the medication needs time to bind to the muscle receptors before reaching peak effect.

Do not judge your result before the 2-week mark. If anything still reads uneven at day 14, book a touch-up assessment — that is exactly what the window is for.

When will I see Botox results?

Botox is a quick pinch at each injection site delivered with an ultra-fine needle. Most clients describe the sensation as similar to a mosquito bite. The entire appointment takes 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish, with most of that time spent reviewing your goals — actual injection time is just a few minutes.

Topical numbing is available on request, but the majority of clients skip it and walk out the same day with no lingering discomfort.

Does Botox hurt?

Common and expected: minor bruising or swelling at injection sites that clears in 24 to 48 hours, occasional mild headache the day of treatment, small temporary bumps that resolve within an hour.

Rare: temporary asymmetry or eyelid droop, almost always due to product migration from rubbing or pressure too soon after treatment. These resolve on their own as the neurotoxin wears off over 6 to 8 weeks.

Serious side effects are extremely rare with proper injection technique. We screen for contraindications at every appointment and review your medical history before dosing.

What are the side effects of Botox?

Stay upright for the first 4 hours after Botox — no lying down, no bending forward, no face-down pressure. After 4 hours you can lie down normally; sleeping on your back the first night is still the safest call.

Also avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area, facials, hot yoga, saunas, and strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours. These restrictions prevent the neurotoxin from migrating to muscles you did not pay to treat.

Can I lay down after Botox?

No. We do not perform Botox or any neurotoxin treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There is not enough safety data for either, and ethical guidelines recommend avoidance. We resume treatments once you have finished breastfeeding — book a consultation when you are ready and we will pick up where you left off.

Can I get Botox while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Only if it is over-injected. Our approach at The Spa by Sheena is to soften, not freeze — you will still raise your brows, smile, and have natural expression. If you want a more relaxed look we can dose more aggressively. If you want subtle movement preserved we will dose lighter. The result tracks the conversation we have at your appointment.

Will Botox make me look frozen?

Yes — and it is one of the strongest long-term plays in aesthetics. Preventative Botox in your late 20s and early 30s relaxes the muscles that crease the skin before the wrinkles set in deeply. Most preventative clients use lighter doses (10 to 20 units total) less often than older clients.

The case for starting in your late 20s: every year you delay the dynamic wrinkle from forming is a year you do not need a more aggressive treatment to address it later. The case for waiting: if you do not see dynamic lines at rest in your 20s, you can hold off until you do. We will give you a straight answer at consultation.

Can preventative Botox stop wrinkles?

Yes — plan ahead. Schedule your Botox 3 to 4 weeks before the event. That gives your result the full 14 days to develop and any minor bruising another full week to resolve.

Do not book Botox for the first time the week of a major event. If you have never had it, your face's response is unknown, and that is the wrong moment to learn. First-timers should treat at least 2 to 3 months before the event so we can adjust dosing at a 2-week touch-up if needed.

Can I get Botox before a wedding or major event?

Not for cosmetic Botox. Insurance covers Botox only for specific medical indications — chronic migraines, severe muscle spasticity, and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) with proper documentation. We offer Hyperhidrosis Botox as a separate service for clients who qualify.

We accept HSA and FSA cards for treatments with a medical indication. If you are unsure whether your case qualifies, bring it to consultation and we will help you sort it out.

Does insurance cover Botox?

Botox relaxes muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles — the lines created by movement, like forehead lines, the 11s, and crow's feet. Dermal fillers restore volume to areas that have lost it — cheeks, lips, under the eyes, and the jawline.

They solve different problems and most clients use both. Botox softens and prevents the wrinkles that movement creates. Fillers replace structural volume and contour. If you are not sure which one you need, book a consultation — we will walk through your goals and recommend a plan.

What is the difference between Botox and dermal fillers?

First-time clients: book a complimentary consultation online or call (806) 701-5840 so we can review your goals and walk through which neurotoxin is right for you.

Returning clients: book your treatment directly through our online scheduler or call us. We treat six days a week — Monday through Saturday — at 8713 Milwaukee Ave #200 in South Lubbock.