Is It Best to Get a Facial Before or After Botox?

Is It Best to Get a Facial Before or After Botox?

In This Article

If you love both smooth, relaxed lines and luminous skin, it’s natural to wonder:

“Should I book my facial before or after Botox?”

At Lovoir Day Spa Christchurch, we’re asked this frequently by clients trying to plan their injectables and skin treatments in the safest, most effective way.

The short answer – yes! You can enjoy both facials and Botox, BUT the order and timing really matter. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through best-practice timelines, what to avoid, and how our facials Christchurch clients love can fit beautifully around your injectables.

✍🏼 Important to note: This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Always follow your doctor or cosmetic injector’s instructions first.

Why Timing Matters With Botox and Facials

What Botox does:

  • Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is injected into specific facial muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles such as frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet.
  • Results usually start in 3–5 days, with full effect at around 10–14 days.

What facials do:

  • Deeply cleanse and lightly or deeply exfoliate
  • Hydrate and nourish the skin barrier
  • Support circulation and lymphatic drainage
  • Deliver targeted actives (vitamins, peptides, botanicals, etc.)

At Lovoir, our professional treatments range from organic, ritual-based facials to advanced treatments with peels, dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, microneedling, IPL and LED.

Because Botox relies on very precise placement, anything that involves pressure, rubbing or strong stimulation on the treated areas too soon afterwards can, in theory, disturb the product and affect your results. That’s why timing your facials around Botox correctly is so important.

Botox and a Facial on the Same Day – Is It Safe?

You can have a facial and Botox on the same day, but only in the right order:

✅ Facial first, then Botox

❌ Never Botox first followed by a facial

When you have your facial first:

  • Your skin is cleansed and gently exfoliated before injections
  • There’s no risk of massage disturbing freshly placed Botox
  • You arrive at your injector with skin that’s calm, hydrated and ready

What you should avoid is:

  • Any facial that involves strong exfoliation or vigorous massage after your injections on the same day
  • Trying to squeeze both an advanced facial and Botox into one rushed appointment window

If you’re planning a stronger treatment:

It’s usually better to separate the appointments by at least a few days. This includes treatments like peels, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, microneedling, IPL, and the like.

📅 Not sure where to start? Book a consultation with our aestheticians at Lovoir Day Spa Christchurch. We’ll guide you through the perfect treatment order, and recommend a facial treatment plan that safely complements your botox results.

Getting a Facial Before Botox

Getting a Facial BEFORE Botox

Why a Pre-Botox Facial Is Often the Best First Step

For many people, a facial before Botox is the ideal choice, especially if you can only pick one treatment close to your injection date.

Benefits include:

  • Clearer, smoother skin that showcases your Botox results
  • Better hydration and barrier support before your injections
  • No risk of interfering with Botox placement

If you’re new to injectables, this is also a great time to address underlying skin concerns like dryness, congestion or dullness so you’re not relying on Botox alone for your “glow”.

How Soon Before Botox Should You Book?

As a conservative guide:

  • Gentle, relaxation-style facials with light exfoliation
    • Usually safe 24–48 hours before Botox, provided your skin isn’t irritated.
  • More active facials (microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, enzyme peels)
    • Aim for 2–7 days before your injections to allow any mild redness or sensitivity to settle.
  • Advanced treatments (microneedling, IPL)
    • It’s safest to wait at least 2 weeks, or better yet, consult your injector for their exact recommendation.

If your skin tends to be reactive, giving yourself a little more time between the facial and your Botox appointment is a good idea.

Best Pre-Botox Facial Options at Lovoir

Our team can recommend the best option for your skin type, concerns and injector timeline. Here are sSome of our favourite options to book before Botox include:

  • Janesce Petite or Indulgent Facials
    Botanical, deeply hydrating facials with gentle enzyme exfoliation, herbal mists and plant-based masks. Ideal if your skin barrier needs love and you want a relaxing treatment with minimal downtime.

Book a Janesce Facial here

  • Vitamin Infusion Facial
    Uses electrical impulses to drive vitamin-rich serums deeper into the skin, paired with cryotherapy or thermal therapy. A great choice for supporting collagen and cell health before your injectable appointment.

Book a Vitamin Infusion Facial

  • Fire & Ice Facial
    Combines an oxygenating enzyme peel with cooling cryotherapy and a soothing mask. Perfect if you want to refine texture and add radiance, as long as you schedule it a few days before Botox.

Book a Fire & Ice Facial

Getting a Facial After Botox

Getting a Facial AFTER Botox: How Long Should You Wait?

What Can Go Wrong if You’re Too Early?

Immediately after Botox, most medical and aesthetic guidelines agree on one key rule:

Avoid rubbing, massaging or putting firm pressure on the treated areas for at least 12–24 hours.

Booking a facial too soon can:

  • Risk product migration if there is strong massage or pressure
  • Potentially affect the symmetry or placement of your results
  • Increase discomfort if you’re still swollen or bruised

Because of this, many clinics (including Lovoir) recommend a more conservative approach to facials after Botox, especially with more intensive treatments.

Recommended Post-Botox Timing by Treatment Type

Exact timing should always follow your injector’s advice, but as a general guide:

  • First 24 hours after Botox
    • No facials, no facial massage, no exfoliating scrubs or devices.
    • Stick to gentle cleansing, light moisturiser and sunscreen, as advised.
  • Classic spa facials with gentle massage
    • Often suitable from around 5–7 days after Botox, once any swelling or bruising has settled and your injector has given the all-clear.

Book a Janesce Facial

  • Microdermabrasion
    • Best left until about 7–10 days post-Botox. This gives time for the injectable to settle while still letting you enjoy the benefits of refined pores and smoother texture.

Book a Microdermabrasion Facial

  • Dermaplaning & peels
    • Mild options may be reintroduced from around 7–14 days, depending on your skin and where you were injected. Stronger peels may require a longer gap.

Book a Dermaplaning Facial

Book an O Cosmedics Peel

  • Microneedling & advanced facials
    • For more intensive treatments such as microneedling or our more active advanced facials, it’s safest to wait around 2 weeks or follow your injector’s exact recommendation.

Book Microneedling

Book IPL Skin Rejuvenation

  • LED light therapy
    • Because LED doesn’t involve pressure or friction, it can often be introduced sooner than exfoliating facials, but we will still work around your injector’s guidelines and avoid pressure on treated areas.

Book an LED Facial

💉 Recently got Botox? Let us know the exact date and areas treated when you book. We’ll recommend facials that are appropriate for your post-Botox stage and skin needs.

Book a skin consultation here

Facial Before vs After Botox – Which Is Better?

Facial Before vs After Botox – Which Is Better?

So, is it best to get a facial before or after Botox? It depends on your priorities:

Choose a facial before Botox if:

  • You’re preparing for your very first injectable appointment
  • Your main goal is to arrive with clean, hydrated, balanced skin
  • You want to avoid any risk of disturbing your Botox results later

Choose a facial after Botox if:

  • You already have a regular Botox routine and want to maintain overall skin health in between
  • You’re focusing on bigger skin goals like pigmentation, texture, congestion or scarring
  • You’re happy to wait 1–2 weeks after injectables for advanced treatments

If you can only choose one close to your appointment:

A pre-Botox facial 2–7 days before your injections is usually the simplest, safest option.

The ideal long-term plan? 

A combination of both – a pre-Botox facial to prep the skin, then a tailored schedule of ongoing advanced facials Christchurch clients love to maintain your results throughout the year.

Browse our Lovoir Facials here

How Lovoir Day Spa Christchurch Plans Your Facials Around Injectables

While Lovoir does not perform Botox injections, we partner with clients and their cosmetic injectors to time skin treatments safely and intelligently.

Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Detailed consultation
    • We ask about recent and upcoming injectables (Botox and filler), medical history, skin concerns and lifestyle.
    • You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your goals — whether that’s age prevention, brightening, clearing congestion or preparing for a big event.
  2. Safe, customised treatment timing
    • We map your facials around your injector’s instructions.
    • We adjust pressure, massage techniques and treatment choices based on how recently you’ve had Botox.
  3. Tailored treatment options
    Depending on your timeline and skin, we may recommend:
    • Organic Janesce facials for hydration and barrier repair
    • Vitamin Infusion Facial to support collagen and skin function
    • Fire & Ice Facial for event-ready glow
    • Ultimate Glow Up or other advanced facials combining enzyme peels, optional dermaplaning, infusion technologies and alginate masks
    • Microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, microneedling, IPL or LED at appropriate intervals
  4. A long-term skin plan
    • We can help you plan out a year of facials and advanced treatments that integrate seamlessly with your injector visits so your results look natural, balanced and healthy.

📅 Want a personalised plan that combines facials and injectables safely? Book a skin consultation at Lovoir, the day spa Christchurch locals trust for evidence-based, luxurious care.

Book a skin consultation here

FAQs – Facials and Botox

How long after Botox can I get a facial?

Most experts recommend avoiding facials and facial massage for at least 24 hours after Botox. At Lovoir, we generally suggest 5–7 days before classic spa facials and up to 2 weeks before more intensive treatments, depending on your injector’s advice and your skin.

Can I get microdermabrasion before Botox?

Yes. Microdermabrasion often works best before Botox. Aim for at least 24–48 hours before injections so any mild redness has settled. After Botox, we typically recommend waiting 7–10 days before microdermabrasion.

Can I get dermaplaning or peels after Botox?

Yes, but timing matters. Lighter options may be suitable from around 7–14 days post-Botox if your injector is happy and your skin looks settled. Stronger peels may need a longer gap. Always tell your therapist exactly when and where you were injected.

Does the timing change if I’ve had filler as well?

It can. Dermal fillers have their own post-treatment considerations. Your injector may want you to wait longer before any massage or strong pressure near the filler. Please tell us about all injectables you’ve had so we can plan safely.

Book Safe, Glow-Boosting Facials in Christchurch at Lovoir

Facials and Botox don’t have to compete with each other. With smart timing and the right treatments, they can work hand in hand: Botox softens expression lines, while professional facials support skin health, texture and long-term radiance.

At Lovoir Day Spa Christchurch, our therapists are trained in both holistic spa rituals and advanced skin therapies. We’ll always:

  • Respect your injector’s medical guidance
  • Choose treatments that suit your post-Botox stage and skin type
  • Create a realistic plan you can maintain throughout the year

Ready to plan your facials around Botox the right way? Book your next treatment with Lovoir today and experience why our facials Christchurch clients love are the perfect partner to your cosmetic injectables!

Book your skin consultation

Browse our facial treatments

Got Other Beauty Needs?

We’ve got it all for you! Check out our wide range of beauty treatments at Lovoir Day Spa:

When in doubt, just consult our expert aestheticians, and we’ll help recommend the best treatment for your beauty goals. We hope to see you soon!

Visit our Beauty Salon & Day Spa at Lovoir The Crossing:

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