What to Expect Before and After Botox Treatment?

At Bella MD Health and Wellness, we want you to achieve the best, most natural-looking results from your Botox treatment while minimizing any potential side effects. Here’s how you can prepare for your appointment with our experienced team:
 
Schedule a Personalized Consultation
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation. During this visit, our qualified providers will review your medical history, discuss any medications or supplements you may be taking, and help you clarify your aesthetic goals. We’ll let you know if you need to pause any medications—like blood thinners, aspirin, or NSAIDs—which can increase the risk of bruising after your Botox injections.
 
Plan Ahead for Your Appointment
To further reduce bruising, we recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours before your treatment. Arriving with a clean, makeup-free face will help us assess your facial muscles accurately and lower your risk of infection.
 
If you have a history of cold sores and are planning to receive Botox near the mouth, please let us know. Our team may recommend a preventive antiviral medication to keep you comfortable and safe.
 
Take Care of Your Skin
In the days leading up to your appointment, avoid harsh skin treatments or exfoliants on the area to be injected. Our priority is to keep your skin healthy and intact for your procedure.
 
Set Realistic Expectations
Remember, Botox is a temporary treatment, and results typically become noticeable within a few days to a week. Our providers will ensure you are well-informed about what to expect and will answer any questions you may have before your session.

At Bella MD Health and Wellness, your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. To help ensure that your Botox treatment is both safe and effective, we recommend following these important pre-treatment guidelines:

• Medical History & Medications: Please inform your provider about any medications, supplements, or medical conditions you have, especially if you are taking blood thinners, muscle relaxants, or medications that affect nerve transmission. This information helps us customize your care for the best results.
• Avoid Certain Substances: We typically advise patients to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before their appointment, as it can increase the risk of bruising. Additionally, please refrain from taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, as well as aspirin, vitamin E, fish oil, and other supplements known to thin the blood for about a week before your visit, unless otherwise directed by your Bella MD provider.
• Arrive with a Clean Face: Please come to your appointment with your face freshly washed and free from makeup, lotions, or other skincare products.
• Cold Sore History: If you have a history of cold sores and are planning to receive Botox near your lips, let your provider at Bella MD Health and Wellness know. Preventive medication may be recommended.
• Special Considerations: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain neuromuscular disorders, Botox may not be the right option for you. Your Bella MD provider will discuss your health history to determine if this treatment is suitable.
• Questions & Concerns: We encourage you to ask any questions or share any concerns you may have before your procedure.

After receiving Botox injections at our clinic, it’s natural to want to minimize any swelling or bruising. To help you achieve the best possible results, our team has put together essential aftercare recommendations:

• Avoid Strenuous Activity: Refrain from vigorous exercise for at least 24 hours after your Botox treatment. Increased blood flow can contribute to swelling or bruising at the injection sites.
• Use Cold Compresses: Gently apply a cold compress to the treated areas. This helps constrict blood vessels and can decrease both swelling and discomfort.
• Keep Your Head Elevated: Remain upright and avoid lying down for about four hours post-injection. This helps prevent the spread of Botox and reduces swelling.
• Avoid Blood Thinners: To further minimize bruising, avoid medications and supplements that thin your blood—such as aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and fish oil—for several days before and after your procedure.
• Cut Back on Alcohol: Refrain from alcohol consumption for at least 24 hours before and after your injections, as alcohol can increase the risk of bruising.
• Consider Arnica: Some patients at Bella MD Health and Wellness find that topical or oral arnica (if approved by your provider) may help reduce bruising.
• Don’t Rub or Massage the Area: Avoid touching, rubbing, or applying pressure to the treated areas for at least 24 hours. This helps prevent irritation and spread of the product.
• Monitor for Unusual Symptoms: Mild swelling or bruising is common and usually resolves within a few days. However, if you experience significant pain, swelling, or signs of infection, please contact Bella MD Health and Wellness immediately.

At Bella MD Health and Wellness, we understand that many patients are eager to see their results immediately after receiving Botox injections. It’s important to know that your final outcome will become visible gradually, and some temporary effects are perfectly normal in the hours following your appointment.
 
Right after your Botox treatment, you might notice mild redness, swelling, or tiny bumps at the injection sites. These minor side effects typically subside within a few hours and are simply part of the normal healing process—they do not indicate how your results will ultimately look.
 
Botox works by gently relaxing specific facial muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles, such as those that appear when you frown or squint. However, these changes don’t happen instantly. You can expect to see the initial effects within three to five days, with your most natural, refreshed appearance becoming apparent after about one to two weeks.
 
Our skilled providers are dedicated to delivering results that look subtle and natural. We take pride in customizing each treatment to your unique facial anatomy and aesthetic goals, ensuring you never appear “frozen” or overdone. Our expert technique allows you to maintain your natural expressions—so you still look like yourself, just more rejuvenated.

Preparing for and recovering from Botox is a seamless process at Bella MD Health and Wellness. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Marlin Lobaton, MD, and Dr. Ngu Thien Nguyen, MD, your experience begins with a detailed clinical consultation to align the treatment with your facial anatomy. Before your appointment, the doctors recommend arriving with clean skin and avoiding alcohol or blood-thinning supplements to minimize bruising.

After your treatment, Dr. Lobaton and Dr. Nguyen advise a few simple precautions to ensure optimal results: remain upright for at least four hours and avoid strenuous exercise or rubbing the treated areas for 24 hours. While initial smoothing may appear in a few days, full results typically manifest within one to two weeks. This physician-led approach ensures you feel supported and informed throughout your transformation in Shoreline.
 
Remember, patience is key. Allow your body time to respond to the treatment, and trust that you’re in expert hands at Bella MD Health and Wellness. If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, our team is always here to support you and ensure you feel confident every step of the way. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are located at 1507 NE 150th St, Suite B, Shoreline, WA 98155. We serve clients from Shoreline WA, Kenmore WA, Brier WA, Edmonds WA, Lynnwood WA, Seattle WA, Bellevue WA, and surrounding cities.