Your Complete Post-Treatment Skincare Guide

You've just had a treatment — whether Botox, dermal fillers, a laser session, or a chemical peel. The procedure itself is only half the equation. What you do in the hours, days, and weeks that follow determines how well your results develop and how smoothly your skin heals. At Aurelia, we consider aftercare an extension of the treatment itself.

This guide covers the essential steps for post-treatment skincare across our most common procedures, including what to use, what to avoid, and when to contact us.

After Botox and Neuromodulators

Botox and wrinkle relaxers are among the most straightforward treatments to recover from, but a few precautions make a meaningful difference in how evenly the product settles.

The First 4 Hours

Keep your head upright for at least four hours after your appointment. Avoid lying flat, bending over at the waist, or doing anything that inverts your head — this minimises the small risk of product migration to unintended areas. You can return to desk work, gentle errands, and most daily activities immediately.

The First 24 Hours

Skip any strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, or intense heat. Elevated heart rate and body temperature can cause the product to disperse more broadly before it binds fully. Also avoid rubbing or massaging the treated areas, and hold off on facial treatments or professional massages.

You may notice small bumps at the injection sites for a few hours. These resolve on their own. Minor bruising, if it occurs, typically fades within 5–7 days. Results develop gradually over 3–14 days, with full effect visible at around two weeks.

After Dermal Fillers

Fillers involve more injection volume than Botox, so swelling, tenderness, and mild bruising are more common and expected. The good news: the protocol for recovery is clear and manageable.

Immediate Aftercare (Days 1–3)

Swelling peaks at 24–48 hours and then begins to subside. Cold compresses applied gently for 10-minute intervals can help. Sleep slightly elevated on the first night if significant swelling is present. Continue to avoid vigorous exercise, alcohol, and blood-thinning medications or supplements (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and fish oil) unless medically necessary.

Skincare in the First Week

• Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and moisturiser only
• Avoid retinoids, acids (AHAs, BHAs), and active serums for at least 5–7 days
• Apply SPF 30 or higher every morning, regardless of whether you go outdoors
• Do not apply makeup for the first 12–24 hours if the skin surface was disturbed

After Laser Treatments

Laser treatments — from non-ablative rejuvenation to Pico laser for pigmentation — create a controlled response in the skin that requires specific care to support healing and optimise results.

Days 1–3: The Sensitive Phase

The skin will feel warm, look slightly pink or red, and may be mildly swollen. This is the inflammatory phase of healing — it is normal and expected. Keep the skin cool, calm, and well-hydrated. Use a simple, fragrance-free moisturiser such as Cerave Moisturising Cream or La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume to support the barrier.

Avoid touching or picking at any flaking or peeling skin. Do not use active ingredients — this means no retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, or niacinamide — until your skin has fully settled, typically 7–10 days.

Sun Protection is Non-Negotiable

This cannot be overstated: UV exposure after laser treatment can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), especially in medium and deeper skin tones. Wear SPF 50 every day, reapply every two hours if outdoors, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when possible. We recommend a mineral SPF (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) for the first two weeks, as it sits on the skin rather than being absorbed.

When to Resume Normal Skincare

After Chemical Peels

Chemical peels accelerate cell turnover, and the visible peeling that follows is the skin shedding its outermost damaged layer to reveal fresher skin beneath. The temptation to peel or pick is strong — please resist it.

Managing the Peeling Phase

Peeling typically begins on day 2 or 3 and continues for 3–5 days depending on the depth of the peel. Keep the skin well-moisturised to prevent tightness and support the natural shedding process. If skin feels very tight, a thin layer of plain petroleum jelly or a rich barrier cream applied to the dry areas can help.

You can wash your face gently with lukewarm water and a non-foaming, fragrance-free cleanser. Pat dry — do not rub. Reapply moisturiser frequently throughout the day.

Timeline for Recovery

• Days 1–2: Skin feels tight, slightly red or flushed
• Days 2–4: Active peeling begins, primarily around the nose, mouth, and forehead
• Days 4–6: Most peeling resolves, fresh skin visible beneath
• Day 7 onwards: Skin looks clearer and brighter; full results improve over the following 4–6 weeks as collagen production increases

Warning Signs to Watch For

Most post-treatment responses are entirely normal. However, contact our clinic promptly if you experience any of the following:

• Swelling or redness that worsens significantly after the first 48 hours
• Pain that is severe or increasing rather than resolving
• Blistering, open wounds, or skin that feels hot to the touch beyond the first day
• Signs of infection: increasing warmth, pus, or fever
• Any visual changes, difficulty swallowing, or significant facial asymmetry after injectables
• Persistent bruising that spreads rather than fades after 10 days

We are always available to answer questions after your treatment. When in doubt, reach out — we would rather reassure you than have you worry unnecessarily.

The Universal Rules

Regardless of which treatment you have received, these principles apply across the board and will protect your results:

1. Wear SPF every day. UV damage is the single greatest accelerant of skin ageing and the primary cause of treatment-compromising pigmentation.
2. Keep it simple in the first week. Your skin is doing important work. A gentle cleanser, a plain moisturiser, and SPF is enough.
3. Stay hydrated. Drinking adequate water supports skin healing from the inside out.
4. Do not pick or peel. Interference with the natural healing process risks scarring and pigmentation.
5. Follow your doctor's specific instructions. Every patient is different. The aftercare guidance you received at your appointment takes precedence over anything you read online.

If you have questions specific to your treatment or your skin type, our team is here. Your results depend as much on how you care for your skin afterward as on the treatment itself — and we want to make sure you get the most from both.