Jessica Ortiz was a 36-year-old spin instructor who was well aware of muscle control—except for her face. “I love the results,” she boasted to her friends following her initial Botox procedure, smiling in the mirror. “Look at this forehead. Smooth as glass!” But two days later, that smile had vanished. The results she was hoping would last months appeared to be weakening. What happened?
It turned out that Jessica had gone back to teaching an intense class mere hours after her Botox injections. The sweat, the exertion, the head movements—altogether it was a miscalculation that set her back from achieving the results she’d hoped for.
This is where the Botox before and after process gets more than skin deep. The “after” is completely up to you once you walk out of the clinic. And for most patients, the question remains the same: Can I exercise after Botox? The short answer—wait. But the long answer? That’s where the real story begins.
In this blog, we are going under the skin with Botox before and after through real stories, professional advice, and what to definitely not do if you want your look to last. Whether it’s your first or your tenth touch-up, knowing the rules on Botox before and after can be the difference between perfect and annoying.
The Workout That Backfired
Jessica’s experience isn’t out of the ordinary. Post-Botox treatment at The IV Lounge, she was warned to avoid regular workouts for a minimum of 24 hours. “I figured, what’s the harm in one class?” she admitted. The morning after, she observed unbalanced results. Her forehead felt smoother, for certain—but one brow appeared somewhat higher than the other, and she lacked her characteristic glow due to minor swelling.
She phoned The IV Lounge right away. “We get this sometimes,” said an in-house physician. “Working out too quickly increases blood flow and movement within the face, which may relocate the Botox away from where it was administered. That’s the quickest way to undo the effects.”
Why Timing Is Everything: Botox Before and After Guidelines?
If you’re thinking about getting Botox or have just gotten it, knowing the rules is important. Particularly when it comes to what not to do after your appointment.
1. Exercise Can Undermine Results
Any exercise—whether it’s CrossFit or a leisurely jog—gets your blood flowing. That’s wonderful for your health, but not wonderful for Botox. The increased blood flow can make the Botox migrate, diluting the effects or, worse, paralyze surrounding muscles inadvertently.
Facial tension and continual wiping of the sweat, particularly during cardio, stresses the areas of injection. This alone will interfere with the perfect Botox before and after effect.
2. Head Position Matters
Even certain yoga poses, like Downward Dog or any posture where your head dips below your heart, can negatively impact your results. People think it’s harmless, but gravity and pressure have more effect than you’d imagine during those first 24 hours.
3. The 24-Hour Rule (And Why It’s Often More)
Most professionals have the same answer: wait for at least 24 hours prior to any rigorous physical activity. For certain patients, particularly for those who bruise or swell easily, doctors recommend waiting 72 hours at most.
Mandy, a 42-year-old client of The IV Lounge, had this to say. “I’m addicted to exercise, but I took three days off from it after Botox just in case. Totally worth it—my results were perfect.” Her Botox before and after photos, displayed on The IV Lounge Instagram, reveal a noticeable decrease in crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles with no bruising or asymmetry.
What You Can Do After Botox?
Though the gym is out of bounds, you don’t have to remain completely stationary.
Facial Exercises Are Welcome.
Smiling, frowning, and raising your eyebrows—these facial expressions can actually help Botox take hold in the correct muscles more quickly. “It is ridiculous,” Jessica laughed, “but I was sitting on my couch making extreme faces for an hour. It worked.”
Other Activities to Avoid Post-Botox
Jessica wasn’t the only one who erred. Tom, a 39-year-old attorney, got his Botox done at lunch and returned to the office. He rested his face in his hand all afternoon—just what the nurse told him not to do.
Here are some additional post-Botox don’ts:
- Steer clear of alcohol and caffeine (can cause bruising)
- Avoid makeup for the day
- Don’t lie down for at least 4 hours
- No hot showers, saunas, or tanning beds
- No facial massages or skin care treatments for 1–2 weeks
- Don’t fly the same day as treatment
These are easy, short-term limitations that make a huge impact in Botox before and after results.
Red Flags: When to Call Your Provider
Side effects are uncommon, but they do occur. If you experience:
- Drooping eyelids
- Blistering or hives
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness
- Muscle weakness in unintended areas
Call your practitioner right away. Botox is extremely safe when done properly and when patients adhere to the aftercare. But if something doesn’t feel right, voice it.
Smooth Moves: Your Best Face Yet
Knowing Botox before and after is what sets average-looking results from jaw-dropping ones. And it doesn’t require much—simply a little patience and focus. At The IV Lounge, we ensure each patient goes home with a custom aftercare plan because we understand that what happens outside the treatment room is just as crucial as what occurs inside.
Jessica, who is now a Botox expert, laughs when she recalls. “If only I’d taken the day off, I would have skipped that embarrassing eyebrow stage,” she says. TShe goes through Botox treatments every Friday, and after that, she has a quiet weekend, showing up every Monday glowing and restored.
If you’re a Botox beginner or coming back for a tune-up, just remember this: Those first 24 hours are key. Rest. Hydrate. Let the magic happen.
And when you’re ready, The IV Lounge’s Botox treatments are here to provide precision, safety, and naturally beautiful results—every time. Our professional team guarantees each treatment is designed specifically to your goals, so your Botox before and after experience is one to share.
