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What you do in the 48 hours before your Botox appointment has a direct impact on your results, your bruising risk, and your recovery. Most med spas hand you a one-page aftercare sheet as you’re walking out the door. The prep instructions — if you get them at all — are an afterthought. Here’s the complete botox preparation checklist so you walk in ready.
7 Things to Do Before Botox Injections
1. Stop Blood Thinners 10–14 Days Out
Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs thin the blood and significantly increase bruising risk at injection sites. Stop them 10–14 days before your appointment if you take them for non-medical reasons. If you take blood thinners by prescription, do not stop them without consulting your prescribing physician — mention your Botox appointment to them in advance.
2. Skip Alcohol for 24–48 Hours
Alcohol is a vasodilator — it widens blood vessels and increases bruising risk. Stop drinking 24–48 hours before your appointment. This is especially important if you bruise easily or are treating an area with a higher bruising risk, like the under-eye or lip region.
3. Avoid Fish Oil, Vitamin E, and Garlic Supplements
These supplements have blood-thinning properties and can increase bruising. Stop them 1 week before your appointment. Arnica supplements, on the other hand, can actually reduce bruising — many providers recommend starting arnica 2–3 days before treatment.
4. Come In With a Clean Face
No makeup, no heavy moisturizers, no skincare products on the treatment area. Your provider will clean the skin before injecting, but arriving with a clean face speeds up the process and eliminates any risk of product interference. If you’re coming from work and can’t wash your face beforehand, most facilities will have cleanser available.
5. Eat Something Before You Go
Fasting before injections isn’t required, but arriving hungry increases the likelihood of lightheadedness or vasovagal response — a stress-triggered drop in blood pressure that can cause dizziness or fainting. It’s rare, but it happens. Eat a normal meal before your appointment. Not a heavy one, just enough to keep blood sugar stable.
6. Skip the Gym That Day
Intense exercise before Botox increases blood flow to the face, which raises bruising risk and may affect initial product distribution. Schedule your appointment on a rest day, or treat in the morning before any planned workout. The post-treatment restriction (no exercise for 24 hours) is more critical — but keeping pre-treatment heart rate low is good practice too.
7. Know Your Goals Before You Sit Down
This sounds obvious but it’s the prep step most patients skip. Know which areas bother you most, what level of movement reduction you want (some patients prefer a softer look, others want maximum relaxation), and any concerns from previous treatments. Bring reference photos if they help. A provider who has clear information from you makes better decisions about placement and dosing.
Ready to Book Your Botox?
Start with a free consultation — your provider will walk you through everything specific to your treatment areas and give you a personalized prep plan.
The Prep No One Tells You About
Beyond the physical checklist, there’s one mental prep step that makes every appointment better: lower your expectations for day one. Botox doesn’t look different when you leave. There’s no immediate visible result. You’ll look exactly the same walking out as you did walking in. Results develop over 3–14 days. Read our full breakdown of the Botox results timeline so you know exactly what to watch for and when.
Book and Get Your Full Prep Plan
Every treatment area has specific prep considerations. A free consultation gives you the personalized checklist for your exact treatment — not a generic handout.
FAQ – Botox preparation checklist
What should I avoid before Botox?
Avoid NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen) for 10–14 days, alcohol for 24–48 hours, and blood-thinning supplements like fish oil and vitamin E for 1 week before your appointment. These all increase bruising risk at injection sites.
Can I wear makeup to my Botox appointment?
Arrive with a clean face — no makeup on the treatment area. Your provider will clean the skin before injecting. Wearing makeup to your appointment is fine; just be prepared to have it removed from the treatment area before you start.
Should I eat before Botox?
Yes. Arrive with normal blood sugar — eat a regular meal beforehand. Fasting is not required, but arriving hungry can increase the risk of lightheadedness or dizziness during the appointment.
Can I exercise before my Botox appointment?
Avoid intense exercise the day of your appointment. Elevated heart rate and increased blood flow to the face raise bruising risk. Schedule on a rest day or treat in the morning before any planned workout.