Minor redness, small raised bumps at the injection points and occasional tiny bruising can all be normal in the first day or two, especially if you bruise easily. These usually settle quickly on their own. If anything concerns you, please get in touch with the clinic.

When can I exercise or wear makeup again?

Avoid strenuous exercise and makeup on the treated area for the rest of the day of your treatment. A gentle walk is fine, but save the gym, heat and heavy workouts. Most people return to normal exercise and makeup the following day.

Anti-Wrinkle Aftercare: The First 24 Hours

Q: When will I see results?

Anti-wrinkle treatment doesn't work instantly. Most people begin to notice the effect from around three to five days, with the full result developing by around two weeks. Results typically last a few months before gently wearing off, though this varies from person to person.

Anti-wrinkle treatment is quick and straightforward, and most people head straight back to their day afterwards. But what you do in the first 24 hours really can make a difference to how smoothly your results settle. None of it is complicated — it's mostly a case of being gentle with the treated area and letting the treatment do its work.

Why the first 24 hours matter

Anti-wrinkle injections work by gently relaxing the small muscles that create expression lines. In the hours immediately after your appointment, the treatment is settling into exactly the right place. A little common sense during this window helps it stay precisely where it's meant to be — which is why a handful of simple do's and don'ts are worth following for the rest of the day.

There's no need to change your whole routine or hide away. Think of it as being kind to the area for a day rather than treating yourself as fragile. Follow the guidance below and you give the treatment the best possible start.

The do's

These small habits help your results settle evenly and comfortably:

Stay upright for a few hours. Keeping your head above your heart for the first four hours or so is one of the simplest and most helpful things you can do.
Gently exercise the treated muscles if Lorraine has advised it — a few natural frowns, raises or smiles in the first hour can help, but only if you've been told to and only gently.
Keep the area clean and dry and handle it as little as possible. Let any tiny marks from the injection points settle on their own.
Carry on with your normal, calm day. Work, errands and light activity are all absolutely fine.
Drink water and rest well. Looking after yourself generally helps everything settle nicely.

The don'ts

Just as important is what to avoid for the rest of the day:

Don't rub, massage or press the treated area. This includes firm cleansing or applying pressure — leave it well alone.
No strenuous exercise or heavy workouts for the day; a gentle walk is fine, but save the gym or intense classes.
Don't lie face-down or press your face into a pillow for the first several hours.
Avoid facials, saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga and other heat — including very hot showers and sunbeds — as heat isn't helpful while things settle.
Limit alcohol for the rest of the day, as it can make minor bruising or swelling more likely.
Avoid makeup on the treated area for the remainder of the day to keep the tiny injection points clean.

When will I see results?

This is the part that surprises people most: anti-wrinkle treatment doesn't work instantly. You won't leave the clinic looking different, and that's completely normal. Results appear gradually over the following days, with most people noticing the effect from around three to five days and the full result developing by around two weeks.

Once settled, results typically last a few months before gently wearing off, though this varies from person to person. Muscle strength, how expressive you are, your metabolism and lifestyle all play a part, so no honest practitioner can promise a fixed timescale. What you can expect is a natural, softened look rather than anything frozen — and clear guidance on when a top-up might be due.

What's normal — and when to get in touch

In the first day or two it's perfectly normal to notice some minor redness, small raised bumps at the injection points that soon fade, or a little tenderness. Occasionally there may be tiny bruising, especially if you bruise easily. These small things usually settle quickly on their own and are nothing to worry about.

That said, you should always feel able to reach out. If anything concerns you — unusual swelling, spreading redness, discomfort that isn't easing, or you simply have a question — please get in touch with the clinic. Lorraine would always far rather hear from you than have you wondering. You can call or text on 07584 351480, and prescription elements of your care are overseen by a qualified independent prescriber (a practising hospital doctor).

Your review appointment is part of the care

Good aftercare doesn't end when you leave the studio. A review a couple of weeks after your treatment — once the full result has developed — is an important part of how we look after you. It's a chance to check everything has settled as it should, discuss how you're finding the result, and fine-tune the plan for next time if needed.

Every treatment at The Elegance Clinic is carried out personally by Lorraine in a calm, private studio in Welwyn Garden City, and everything is fully insured. If you'd like to arrange your follow-up, simply book a review or drop us a message — there's never any pressure, just genuine care throughout.

The honest bottom line

The first 24 hours after anti-wrinkle treatment aren't about worrying — they're about a few simple, sensible habits. Stay upright, keep the area clean, avoid heat, pressure and heavy exercise, and let the treatment settle. Results build over the following days rather than appearing straight away, and small marks usually fade quickly. Look after the area gently, come along to your review, and get in touch with the clinic in Welwyn Garden City if anything at all concerns you.