Last Updated on November 3, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Sso you just got Botox and now you’re lying there thinking “shit, did I just mess this up by booking a massage?” Or maybe you’re sitting in the waiting room right now, googling frantically because your spa day is here and you’re freaking out. I gotcha. Let’s figure this out together. Short answer: Yeah, you can get a massage after Botox, but girl (or guy), you gotta wait a bit. Here’s all you need to know about booking a massage after Botox:
What’s The Issue With Having A Massage After Botox?
Here’s the deal. When you get botox injections, they’re literally sticking botulinum toxin (fancy science name, I know) into your facial muscles to make them chill the fuck out. That’s how you get rid of those fine lines that make you look like you’re constantly judging people – even when you’re not! But right after your botox appointment, that stuff needs time to settle in and do its thing. It’s gotta find the nerve endings and bind to them. If you start pressing on your face too soon or lying face-down on a massage table, you could potentially push that botox around to places you definitely don’t want it. And trust me, the horror stories are real. I’m talking droopy eyelids, uneven results, one eyebrow higher than the other – basically walking around looking perpetually confused or surprised. Not cute.
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How Long Should You Wait To Get A Massage After Botox?
So basically every healthcare provider and their mother will tell you to wait at least 24-48 hours before getting any kind of massage. Some will say a week. Some super cautious ones say two weeks. Here’s what’s actually happening during those first couple days: Your body’s trying to get that botox to stick to your targeted muscles. The science nerds say it binds pretty fast, like within hours. But the thing is, during that first day especially, if you’re smooshing your face into stuff or getting deep tissue massage, here’s what may happen:
- It could migrate: Nobody wants botox meant for their forehead ending up near their eyes, causing weird droopy lids
- Blood flow increases: Massage gets your blood pumping, which might help spread the toxin to unwanted areas (the science is kinda iffy on this but why risk it?)
- Bruising: You might bruise more if you’re getting massaged right after. Those injection sites are basically tiny wounds
- You spent good money on this: Why fuck it up over being impatient?
Different Massages = Different Rules
Not all massages are gonna screw you over the same way. Let me break it down:
Facial Massage
NOPE. Just… nope. Not for at least a week, maybe two if you’re being smart about it. This includes:
- Any facial treatments at your spa
- That gua sha thing everyone’s obsessed with
- Face rollers
- Even rubbing your skincare products in too hard
- Chemical peels (definitely wait on those)
Basically anything touching your face = bad idea for now.
Full-Body Massage
Okay so here’s the good news – body massage is way less risky! But you still gotta be careful:
- Wait at least 24-48 hours (seriously, just wait)
- Tell your massage therapist you just got Botox (don’t be shy about it, they’ve heard weirder)
- If you got Botox in your face, don’t lie face-down on that weird donut pillow thing
- A neck massage or shoulder massage after a couple days? Usually fine, just keep it away from where you got the botox shots
Deep Tissue Massage
Mmm… maybe skip this for a week? Deep tissue is intense and involves a lot of pressure. Your body’s already dealing with the botox settling in, don’t add extra stress.
Related: Can You Do Microneedling After Botox?
The Best Practices Timeline
Alright, here’s what you should actually do:
First 4 Hours After:
- Stay sitting or standing up (no naps, sorry)
- Don’t touch your face constantly like a weirdo
- Skip the gym (I know, what a tragedy)
- No hot tubs or saunas – heat is bad right now
- Basically just… chill and watch Netflix or something
First 24 Hours:
- Still no massage therapy session of any kind
- Keep your hands off your face (harder than it sounds tbh)
- Your skincare routine? Keep it gentle. No aggressive rubbing
- If it’s swollen, use an ice pack or cool compress
- Avoid alcohol (it thins your blood which = more bruising)
24-48 Hours:
- Body massage? Probably okay now, but ask your healthcare provider first
- Just stay away from your face and the botox injection site
- Make sure your massage therapist knows what’s up
One Week:
- Most people are totally fine for regular massages at this point
- Still maybe go easy on the face stuff though
Two Weeks:
- You’re golden! Do whatever massage you want
- This is when the effects of botox are at their peak anyway
- You should be seeing your best results now
Common Botox & Massage Myths
- “Massage will make my Botox disappear faster!”: Nah, that’s not really how it works. Once that botulinum toxin is locked onto your nerve endings (happens in like 1-2 days), rubbing your face won’t make it evaporate or whatever. Your body breaks it down on its own schedule.
- “I heard this girl got a massage right after and her face got paralyzed!”: Okay so yes, horror stories exist. But they’re usually about people who got aggressive facial massage like immediately after treatment. And even then, the effects are temporary. Still scary though, which is why we wait!
- “I can’t touch my face at all!”: You can wash your face and do normal human things. Just don’t like… massage it aggressively or press hard on where you got the injections. You’re not made of glass.
Possible Side Effects To Watch For
Most of the time, you’ll be totally fine. But sometimes shit happens, so here’s when you should actually call your healthcare provider:
Normal stuff (don’t panic):
- A little redness where they stuck you
- Some tiny bumps that go away fast
- Bruising (especially if you’re on blood thinners)
- Mild headache
- Feeling kinda tight or heavy in the treated area
NOT normal (call your doctor):
- Vision problems or your eye’s doing weird stuff
- Severe drooping that doesn’t look right
- Trouble swallowing or breathing (rare but serious)
- Any signs of an allergic reaction
- Uneven results that look really bad after everything’s supposed to be settled
Tips For Best Results
Before your botox session:
- Don’t take aspirin or ibuprofen the day before (if your doctor says it’s cool)
- Skip wine night the night before
- If you already have a massage booked, move it to BEFORE your Botox, not after
- Eat normal food, you don’t need to fast or anything
After your first botox treatment:
- Keep your head up for at least 4 hours (no lying down for a nap even though you’ll want to)
- Stay out of hot tubs and saunas
- Don’t go crazy at the gym
- Just relax and let the botox do its job
- Follow whatever your cosmetic surgeon told you specifically
For your skincare routine:
- Be gentle for the first couple days
- Don’t rub stuff in like you’re trying to erase a mistake
- Wait on any intense skin treatments
- Pat, don’t rub
FAQs
What if I accidentally touched my face a few hours after?
ADeep breath – you’re fine. We’re talking about aggressive facial pressure and massage here, not normal human touching. If you rubbed it hard or did something intense, maybe text your provider. But light, accidental contact? Don’t stress.
What about massage guns?
Those things are no joke. Wait at least 48 hours and keep it the hell away from your injection sites. The vibration plus pressure is not what you want near fresh Botox.
Can I do hot yoga or use a sauna?
Not for at least 24-48 hours. Heat increases blood flow and blood pressure, which could theoretically mess with how the botox settles. Just chill out for two days.
Should I schedule my massage before or after Botox?
BEFORE. Always before. Get your full-body massage, facial treatments, all that good stuff, THEN get your Botox. That’s the move that avoids all this stress.
The Bottom Line
Can you get a massage after Botox? Yes. Should you do it immediately? No. Wait at least 24-48 hours, skip anything touching your face for a week or two, and just communicate with your massage therapist and healthcare provider. You didn’t spend all that money and sit through those injections just to mess it up by being impatient, right? Just wait it out. Binge a show. Order takeout. Your face will thank you.
