Pre-Treatment Checklist: Preparing for Facial Injections

Mar 14

7 min read

Want smoother, younger-looking skin with facial injections? Preparing correctly is key to safe and effective results. Here's what you need to know:

Medications to Avoid: Stop blood thinners (like aspirin, ibuprofen) and certain supplements (fish oil, ginkgo, garlic) at least 7 days before treatment. Always consult your doctor first.
Skin Health: Avoid injections if you have active skin infections, inflammatory skin conditions, or recent surgeries.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Avoid alcohol 3–4 days before, lower sodium intake, and stay hydrated. Skip intense workouts 24–48 hours before your appointment.
Skincare Prep: Stop using retinol, tretinoin, and strong exfoliants 2–7 days prior. Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin.
Day of Appointment: Wear comfortable clothes, drink plenty of water, and bring a valid ID and updated medical info.

Follow these steps to reduce side effects like bruising and swelling and ensure the best results from Botox®, Dysport®, or Daxxify™.

How to Prevent Bruising from Botox and Filler- Pre-Treatment Guidelines

Medical Steps Before Treatment

Taking these steps beforehand helps reduce risks and ensures treatment goes smoothly.

Medications to Stop Taking

Certain medications and supplements should be avoided at least 7 days before your appointment:

Blood thinners: aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®)
Supplements that affect blood clotting: fish oil, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's Wort, evening primrose oil

Always check with your prescribing provider before stopping any prescription medications. Tylenol® (acetaminophen) is safe to use before and after treatment since it doesn’t impact blood thinning.

Medical History Review

Sharing your medical history is crucial to minimizing risks and ensuring safe treatment.

What to Share	Why It’s Important
Current medications and supplements	Avoids harmful interactions
Diagnosed medical conditions	Identifies any health-related risks
Previous facial treatments	Helps tailor the treatment plan
Known allergies	Prevents allergic reactions
Recent surgeries or procedures	Confirms adequate healing time

"The medical history can reveal diagnosed medical conditions, past medical conditions, and potential future health risks for the patient. In addition, the medical history aids in forming differential diagnoses." – Jonathan R. Nichol, Joshua Henrina Sundjaja, & Grant Nelson (StatPearls)

This information not only helps your provider make informed decisions but also ensures your skin is ready for treatment.

Skin Health Requirements

Your skin’s condition plays a big role in determining whether treatment can proceed. If you have any of the following, you may need to reschedule:

Active skin infections: impetigo, herpes simplex
Inflammatory skin conditions: atopic dermatitis, active acne rosacea
Current infections: sinus, dental, or throat

If you’re prone to cold sores, let your provider know; they might prescribe preventive medication. During your consultation, your provider will evaluate your skin to confirm it’s in the right condition for treatment.

Pre-Treatment Lifestyle Changes

After completing your medical and skincare preparations, making a few lifestyle adjustments can help improve your treatment results.

Food and Drink Guidelines

What you eat and drink plays a role in preparing your body for the procedure.

Timeframe	Avoid	Do This
7–14 days before	High Omega‑3 foods	Drink plenty of water
3–4 days before	High-sodium foods	Choose low-sodium options

Lowering sodium intake can help reduce facial puffiness and water retention.

Smoking and Alcohol Rules

Both smoking and alcohol can increase the chances of bruising and dehydration. Alcohol thins your blood and dilates blood vessels, which can lead to facial redness.

Stop drinking alcohol 3–4 days before your treatment.
Avoid smoking for 24–48 hours after the procedure.
If you smoke regularly, consider using nicotine patches during the initial healing period.

"The act of smoking can increase the risk of complications." - Immaculate Touch

Smoking tightens blood vessels and may introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. Additionally, the repetitive motions involved in smoking could impact filler placement and its lasting effects.

Exercise Limits

Skip intense workouts for 24–48 hours before your appointment and try to schedule your treatment on a rest day.

"While it's normally okay to exercise before receiving fillers, it's important to exercise carefully and stay away from vigorous activities that can promote swelling or bruising", advises Cleanslate Laser Clinic.

Light activities, like gentle walking, are usually fine. However, it's always best to check with your provider for tailored advice.

Next, focus on fine-tuning your skincare routine for a safer and smoother injection process.

Skin Care Before Treatment

Taking care of your skin before facial injections is key to ensuring the procedure goes smoothly and effectively. A clean and natural skin surface helps your provider evaluate your skin properly and reduces the risk of complications. Adjust your skincare routine and daily habits to prepare for your treatment.

Products to Avoid

To get your skin ready for the appointment, steer clear of certain products:

Timeframe	Products to Avoid	Why
2 days prior	Tretinoin (Ret‑A), retinol, retinoids, glycolic acid, and other anti-aging products	Helps prevent irritation
1 week prior	Strong exfoliating treatments	Reduces sensitivity and inflammation

"It is best not to use any strong exfoliating treatments or products for a week prior to your appointment and for several days after the procedure"

"I also recommend avoiding anything that will inflame the skin such as lasers as this can cause swelling and distort how much volume may be needed"

Stick to gentle, non-irritating products during this time to keep your skin calm and ready for treatment.

Day‑of Skin Care Tips

On the day of your appointment, keep things simple:

Morning RoutineWash your face with a gentle cleanser, like Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser. Skip moisturizers or any products that form a barrier on your skin.
Before the AppointmentShow up with a clean, makeup-free face.

If you think you might need numbing cream, talk to your provider beforehand.

Keeping your skin bare and free of irritants ensures the injections work as intended and reduces the chance of any issues.

Appointment Day Steps

After your pre-treatment preparations, it's time to focus on the details for the day of your appointment.

Food and Water Schedule

Keep these hydration tips in mind:

24-48 hours before: Avoid intense workouts.
48 hours before: Stay away from alcohol.
Day of: Drink 8-10 glasses of water to stay hydrated.

What to Wear

Choose clothing that's both comfortable and practical, allowing easy access to your face, neck, and shoulders:

A button-down or zip-up top for easy adjustments.
Relaxed bottoms like pants or a skirt.
Keep jewelry around your face and neck to a minimum.

Once you're dressed and ready, it's time to check in.

Check-in Process

Make sure everything is prepared ahead of time to ensure a smooth check-in.

Before ArrivalComplete all pre-appointment forms through your provider's online portal at least 24 hours in advance. Be sure to update your medical history and sign any necessary consent forms.
Required DocumentsBring these items with you:
- A valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- Your insurance card, if applicable.
- A list of current medications and any recent medical updates.
Arrival TimeArrive 15 minutes early to:
- Verify your paperwork.
- Go over your medical history one last time.
- Discuss your treatment goals with your provider.

What to Expect

Get ready for post-treatment effects and learn how to handle side effects effectively with these insights.

Common Side Effects

Most people notice mild side effects that usually go away within 7 to 14 days after treatment. Here’s what you might experience:

Immediate Effects (First 24-48 Hours)

Mild discomfort at injection sites
Redness and slight swelling
Minor bruising
Temporary itching or rash

Tips for Managing Side Effects:

Stay upright for 3-4 hours after treatment.
Avoid touching or pressing on treated areas for at least 12 hours.
Skip intense physical activity for 24 hours.
Use over-the-counter antihistamines or anti-inflammatories if itching occurs.

"Everyone reacts differently to facial injections like fillers. However, it's essential to understand that there are no significant risks of pain associated with fillers." - Hinsdale Vein & Laser

When to Call Your ProviderReach out to your provider if you notice:

Swelling that doesn’t go down after 48 hours
Symptoms of infection, like fever, pus, or very warm, inflamed skin
Breathing difficulties or vision changes
Severe or worsening pain
A painful feeling of fullness a few days after treatment

Questions for Your Provider

If you notice any side effects, it’s important to clarify your care plan. Here are some key topics to discuss with your provider:

Treatment Results

When will I see results? (For instance, Dysport often starts working in 2-3 days.)
How long do the results typically last? (Some treatments can last up to 4 months.)
Are there any activities I should avoid while recovering?

Aftercare Instructions

What specific steps should I follow for aftercare?
Are there any skincare products I should avoid?
When can I go back to my regular skincare routine?

Follow-Up Care

When should I schedule my next appointment?
What symptoms should prompt me to seek immediate medical attention?
How can I contact you if I have concerns outside of office hours?

Next Steps

You've gone through the pre-treatment preparations - now it's time to finish up a few final steps to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Schedule Your ConsultationReach out to Beauty By Katherine to set up your personalized consultation. During this meeting, Dr. Katherine Longo will discuss your goals, review your medical history, and explore treatment options like Botox ($12/unit), Dysport ($4/unit), and Daxxify ($12/unit). Beauty By Katherine serves clients in the Metro West and Greater Boston areas.

Pre-Appointment TimelinePlan your treatment at least two weeks before any major events. This gives enough time for any side effects to subside.

How to Prepare for Your AppointmentBefore your visit, make sure to: