Dr. Callahan was professional, knowledgeable, and caring. She listened, explained clearly, and answered all my questions. It was refreshing. She also helped my son, and staff was friendly and kind.
Jeffrey Moore
How to Prepare for BOTOX Injections
Medical History and What to Tell Your Eye Doctor
A safe and effective treatment starts with an honest, complete conversation about your health history. Certain medical conditions, skin concerns, and previous treatments directly influence how we approach your care. Sharing this information upfront allows our eye doctors to personalize your treatment plan.
Patients with neuromuscular junction disorders, conditions that affect communication between nerves and muscles, should disclose these before receiving any botulinum toxin treatment. Examples include myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, and ALS. BOTOX can cause unpredictable muscle weakness in people with these conditions, so full disclosure allows our team to evaluate whether treatment is appropriate.
BOTOX Cosmetic is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding, we will ask you to postpone treatment until it is safe to proceed. Please also let us know about any previous BOTOX or neurotoxin injections, including when you last received them and whether you had any complications or noticed reduced effectiveness.
Active skin infections, rashes, or cold sores (oral herpes simplex) at or near the planned injection area are a reason to reschedule. Injecting through compromised skin increases the risk of infection and can affect how the product performs. We will always prioritize your safety by waiting until the skin has fully cleared.
If you have a history of cold sores around the mouth or nose, let us know even if you do not have an active outbreak. Your eye doctor may recommend a preventive antiviral medication before treatment. Additionally, if you have had a chemical peel, laser treatment, or microdermabrasion within the past month, please mention it so we can confirm the area has healed enough for injections.
Bringing a full list of your prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements to your appointment helps our team identify any potential risks before we begin. This includes muscle relaxants, which can interact with botulinum toxin treatments. Please also let us know about any known allergies, including allergies to botulinum toxin products or cow's milk protein, which is present in some formulations.
- All prescription medications, including blood thinners and muscle relaxants
- Over-the-counter pain relievers and allergy medications
- Vitamins, herbal supplements, and dietary products
- Any previous adverse reactions to injectable cosmetic treatments
If you have had an allergic reaction to a previous injection treatment of any kind, describe what happened so we can take the right precautions.
Practical Preparation for Your Appointment Day
A little planning before the day of your appointment goes a long way toward a smoother experience. From what you wear to how you schedule your day, these practical steps help you feel comfortable and make aftercare easier to follow.
We recommend scheduling your BOTOX Cosmetic appointment at least two weeks before any major event. Full results typically take 7 to 14 days to appear, and mild bruising or swelling can be visible in the first few days after treatment. Giving yourself this buffer ensures you look and feel your best when it matters most.
Avoid scheduling treatment during an active illness, if you are running a fever, or immediately after dental procedures that used local anesthesia. Your body responds best when your immune system is not already working to fight something else. Morning appointments are a practical choice because they give you the rest of the day to follow aftercare instructions in a low-activity setting.
Arrive with a clean face and no makeup on the treatment area. Our eye doctors need to see your skin clearly and apply antiseptic before injecting. If you prefer to wear makeup after your appointment, you are welcome to bring it and reapply once the treatment is complete.
Choose clothing that does not need to be pulled over your face, since you should avoid touching the treated area after your injections. A button-down shirt or zip-up top is a simple and practical choice. Bring your photo ID, any paperwork we requested in advance, and your written medication and supplement list if you have not already shared it with our team.
BOTOX injections are administered with a very fine needle, and most patients describe the sensation as a brief, mild pinch. Topical numbing cream can be applied to the treatment area 30 to 45 minutes before injections to reduce discomfort, and cold packs applied just before treatment can also help.
Ask our team in advance whether numbing cream is part of our standard process or if you should plan to arrive a bit early to allow time for it to take effect. Many patients find that the procedure is faster and more comfortable than they expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers address questions patients often have when preparing for BOTOX Cosmetic, Xeomin, or filler treatments like Juvéderm Voluma XC, RADIESSE, and Belotero Balance at our practice.
Light movement on the morning of your appointment is generally fine. However, intense exercise that significantly raises your heart rate and body temperature increases blood flow to your face, which can make bruising more likely. A good rule of thumb is to save your vigorous workouts for after your appointment, once the initial 24-hour window has passed.
You do not need to change most of your skincare routine in the days before treatment. However, on the day of your appointment, avoid applying retinol, glycolic acid, or other active exfoliating ingredients to the treatment area. These products can increase skin sensitivity and may contribute to irritation. If your skin is particularly reactive, let our team know and we can offer guidance specific to your products.
Please contact us to reschedule if you have an active infection, a fever, or are simply not feeling well. Your immune system is under stress when you are sick, and your body may not respond to treatment the way it would under normal conditions. Rescheduling is always the right call, and we are happy to find another time that works for you.
Yes, acetaminophen is a safe choice for pain relief in the days before your appointment because it does not affect platelet function or thin the blood. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are the ones to avoid, as these are NSAIDs that impair the blood's ability to clot at the injection site. If you are unsure about a specific medication, our eye doctors can confirm whether it is safe to take before treatment.
Let our team know at the start of your appointment. Our eye doctors will take that into account and may proceed with the understanding that bruising risk is slightly higher, or may recommend rescheduling if a particularly strong blood-thinning supplement was taken recently. Being upfront about this is always the right approach and helps us make the safest decision for your care.
Yes, we recommend stopping the use of gua sha tools, jade rollers, microcurrent devices, and similar facial massage tools for at least one week before treatment. These devices can increase baseline skin sensitivity and circulation near the surface of the skin, which may raise your risk of bruising at the injection site. This applies whether you are coming in for BOTOX Cosmetic, Xeomin, or a dermal filler treatment.
Schedule Your BOTOX Consultation at NewView Eye Center
Our team is here to guide you through every step of your treatment, from preparation to aftercare. At NewView Eye Center, we bring the same precision and personalized attention to our cosmetic services that patients across Northern Virginia have trusted us with for over two decades. We would love to help you look and feel your best. Reach out to our office to schedule your consultation and learn which treatment is right for you.
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