Getting BOTOX® Cosmetic is a minor aesthetic procedure that requires very little in the way of recovery. Most of our patients can get back to their normal activities (such as working out) about 24 hours after their injections.
There are a few post-injection restrictions that are important to follow so that you can get the best results. I’ll go over all of those with you after your treatment, but for now, I’d like to focus on wearing makeup after injections.
My name is Dr. Aeria Chang, and I’ve performed thousands of BOTOX injections since 2008 at my practice in San Diego. Read on to learn more, and give me a call if you have any questions.
Touching Your Face After BOTOX

AllaSerebrina – DepositPhotos – Model
There’s nothing wrong with wearing makeup after you get injections, but it’s best to wait until the injection sites have closed up and the redness has faded away.
Most individuals who get BOTOX injections experience mild redness for up to 24 hours after treatment. This is a normal event and, in most cases, subsides within a few hours.
The issue with applying makeup after your BOTOX treatment is that you’ll need to touch your face in order to apply the makeup.
I advise patients not to touch their face where they have had injections for at least 4-6 hours. Ideally, avoid touching the injection site areas for 24 hours (except to gently wash your face).
Since the BOTOX is sitting right under the skin inside of the facial muscles, touching or pressing on the area can force the BOTOX out of the muscle and cause it to spread to other nearby muscles. This can result in drooping eyelids or other unintended side effects.
Makeup needs to be manually spread over the skin, so you would have to rub the skin (or even press it) in order to evenly apply your foundation, bronzer, or finishing powder.
As mentioned already, pressing, rubbing, or touching the skin over the injection sites can lead to unwanted side effects.
Bacteria Can Enter the Injection Sites
foremniakowski – DepositPhotos – Model
The other issue with makeup application is that you would need to apply the foundation using a brush, cosmetic sponge, or your fingers, all of which carry bacteria. Since your skin will have small puncture wounds from where the needle entered your skin, this is a potential entry point for bacteria to get into your body.
If bacteria enters the wounds, it can cause a serious skin infection. Take care to allow the wounds to naturally close up. Wounds that are fully closed will be dry and no longer leak out small amounts of blood or plasma (golden colored fluid).
Please wait 4-6 hours (preferably 24 hours) to apply makeup to your face. Many of our patients get their injections done after work or on a Friday afternoon so they can go “makeup free” for the recommended amount of time.
BOTOX Injections at Beatitude Aesthetic Medicine in San Diego
We are one of the few aesthetic practices where a medical doctor does all of the injecting. Dr. Aeria Chang is a Platinum Injector for Allergan, Inc.
This means that she is in the top 5% of all injectors in the country for the number of injections she performs.
More injections performed means more experience, skill, and expertise. Trust Dr. Chang for your BOTOX and fillers today! Call to book your consultation and treatment: (619) 280-1609.
Ask about our special offer for first-time BOTOX clients!
*BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic are registered trademarks of Allergan, Inc.