Botox recovery — week by week

What healing actually looks like — week by week — for botox.

Recovery timeline

1. Day 0
   10-minute appointment. No downtime. Avoid lying flat for 4 hours.
2. Days 3–5
   Onset of effect. Some patients see initial relaxation in 48 hours.
3. Days 10–14
   Full effect. Schedule any touch-up assessment now, not before.
4. Months 3–4
   Effect wears off. Time to retreat.

What's normal vs. what to call about

Some swelling, bruising, asymmetry, numbness, and tightness are expected in the first weeks. Sudden severe pain, fever above 101°F, drainage, spreading redness, or one-sided swelling that worsens after improving warrant a same-day call to your surgeon.

See botox results across the recovery curve on the main Botox page.