Here's What You Should Never Do After Getting Botox

If you've taken the plunge and had botox, or are considering trying it in the next few months, it's important to be aware of the aftercare that's involved — because even though there is technically no downtime, there are a few things you should never do. After all, there's no point investing in it if you're just going to undo the effects.

According to nurse Libbie Wallace of the Cadogan Clinic in London, the first 20 minutes post-treatment are the most important. "The solution takes 20 minutes to settle in your muscles, so I do advise you to stay upright for then, any longer won't make a difference," Wallace told Cosmopolitan. In other words, you should never lie down immediately after getting Botox. "Normal daily activity can be resumed straight after treatment," Dr. Jana Vogt, a plastic surgeon at Mallucci London, told Vogue. However, she also added that normal daily activity doesn't include exercise. "You should avoid exercising or partaking in any strenuous activity for up to 24 hours."

According to the Cosmetic Skin Clinic, you should also never touch your face after getting Botox. This includes cleansing, moisturizing, and applying makeup. In other words, it's important that you leave your face completely alone for the first four hours. After that, you can return to normal but you need to be extra cautious during the first 24 hours post-treatment to ensure you're not being too rough with your skin. SkinVida adds that you should also avoid any kind of facial treatments, from facials to brow waxes, for 14 days. Unsurprisingly, they also say you should never wear anything restrictive or tight on your head, like a hat or swimming cap.

Lastly, Dr. Rekha Tailor of Health & Aesthetics says you should never be drinking alcohol straight after having Botox. Alcohol is known to cause blood thinning, which can affect the healing process and potentially even your final results. Wait two days before you celebrate your treatment with wine.