Anti-Wrinkle Injection Aftercare Ireland — Complete Guide
Published · Updated
You've had your anti-wrinkle treatment — now what? The good news is that anti-wrinkle injections require no real downtime and most patients go straight back to their normal day. But there are a handful of specific things to avoid in the first 24 to 48 hours that genuinely affect your results. This is Sisu Clinic's complete aftercare guide — written by our doctors, covering every question patients ask us after treatment, and explaining clearly why each instruction matters.
The first 24 hours — what to do and what to avoid
Most aftercare instructions for anti-wrinkle treatment apply specifically to the first 24 hours. After this window, the vast majority of restrictions lift. Here is everything you need to know:
Can you exercise after anti-wrinkle treatment?
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours after treatment.
This is the most commonly asked question — and the answer matters. When you exercise, your heart rate increases, blood flow throughout the body accelerates, and your core body temperature rises. For anti-wrinkle treatment specifically, increased blood flow to the injection sites in the first few hours after treatment has the potential to cause the product to migrate away from the precise placement your doctor intended. While the risk of significant migration is low, the principle is sound: the product needs time to settle into the targeted muscle before any activity that significantly increases circulation.
After 24 hours, exercise is completely fine. You can return to the gym, running, yoga, Pilates, HIIT, or any other activity without restriction.
What about light exercise?
Walking is fine from the moment you leave the clinic. The key is avoiding anything that significantly elevates your heart rate or body temperature. A gentle walk is not in the same category as a spin class or weightlifting session.
What about facial exercise?
There is a myth that you should avoid all facial movement after anti-wrinkle treatment — including normal expressions. This is not supported by evidence. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2019 found that facial exercise after anti-wrinkle treatment did not negatively affect outcomes. Normal facial expressions, talking, eating, and drinking are completely fine immediately after treatment.
Can you drink alcohol after anti-wrinkle treatment?
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours after treatment.
Alcohol is a vasodilator — it widens blood vessels and increases circulation. This increases the risk of bruising and swelling at injection sites in the hours following treatment. A glass of wine the evening after your morning treatment is unlikely to cause a problem, but drinking heavily immediately after treatment is not advisable. After 24 hours, alcohol is fine in normal amounts.
It's also worth knowing that if you have a big event coming up, it's worth booking your anti-wrinkle treatment at least 2 weeks in advance — not just for aftercare reasons, but because results take 10 to 14 days to fully develop.
Can you go in the sun or a sauna after anti-wrinkle treatment?
Avoid direct sun, saunas, steam rooms, hot baths, and hot yoga for 24 hours.
Heat raises body temperature and increases blood flow — the same mechanism as exercise. Exposure to significant heat in the first 24 hours increases the risk of swelling and bruising at injection sites. After 24 hours this restriction lifts, though we always recommend using SPF daily on the treated areas as part of good skin maintenance.
If you're in a warm country or it's a hot day in Ireland (it happens), try to stay in air-conditioned environments for the first few hours and avoid direct sun on the face.
Can you wear makeup after anti-wrinkle treatment?
Avoid applying makeup to the treated areas for 4 to 6 hours after treatment.
The injections create tiny entry points in the skin. Applying makeup too soon after treatment introduces potential bacteria into these microchannels. After 4 to 6 hours these entry points have closed sufficiently that makeup application is safe. After 24 hours there are no restrictions on makeup or skincare products.
Can you sleep on your face after anti-wrinkle treatment?
Try to sleep on your back on the first night.
Lying face-down or pressing your face into a pillow in the hours immediately after treatment applies direct pressure to the injection sites, which could theoretically affect placement. Most patients find this easy enough to manage for one night. From the second night onwards, sleep in whatever position is comfortable for you.
Can you get a facial or massage after anti-wrinkle treatment?
Avoid any facial treatment, massage, or pressure to the treated area for at least 2 weeks.
This is one of the most important restrictions that patients sometimes overlook. Any manipulation of the treated muscle area — whether through a facial, massage, microneedling, or even firm rubbing — has the potential to affect the placement of the product. The 2-week window allows full onset of the treatment before any additional treatments are applied. After 2 weeks, facials, skincare treatments, and massage are all fine.
Can you fly after anti-wrinkle treatment?
There is no clinical evidence that flying affects anti-wrinkle treatment outcomes. You can fly the same day if needed. The main consideration is practical — cabin air is very dry, so keep the skin hydrated, and if you have any bruising you may want to give it a day or two to settle before travelling for an important event.
When will you see results?
Anti-wrinkle injections do not work immediately. The product needs time to be absorbed by the nerve endings in the muscle, after which the muscle begins to relax. Most patients notice the first subtle effects within 3 to 5 days. Full results are visible at 10 to 14 days. If you assess your result at day 3 and feel it hasn't worked, give it more time — the majority of patients see their full result in the second week.
Results typically last 3 to 4 months. With consistent treatment over time, many patients find results last progressively longer as the muscles soften and reduce in activity.
What side effects are normal?
Mild redness, swelling, or small bumps at the injection sites are completely normal and typically resolve within a few hours to a day. Some patients experience mild bruising — this is more common in certain patients and certain areas (the forehead tends to bruise less than around the eyes). Bruising, if it occurs, typically fades within 5 to 7 days and can be covered with makeup after the first few hours.
A mild headache on the day of treatment is occasionally reported and resolves quickly. If you experience anything beyond mild, temporary side effects — or have any concerns at all — contact your Sisu Clinic doctor directly.
Quick reference: anti-wrinkle aftercare checklist
For the first 4 to 6 hours:
• Do not apply makeup or touch the treated area
• Avoid lying down flat — stay upright
• Avoid rubbing, pressing, or massaging the injection sites
For the first 24 hours:
• No strenuous exercise or activities that significantly raise heart rate
• No alcohol
• No saunas, steam rooms, hot baths, hot yoga, or significant heat exposure
• No direct sun exposure on the face
• Sleep on your back if possible
For the first 2 weeks:
• No facials, massages, microneedling, or pressure to the treated area
• Avoid anti-wrinkle treatment in other clinics during this settling period
After 2 weeks:
• All normal activities, skincare, and treatments can resume
• Assess your result — contact your doctor if you have any concerns
Don't forget to follow us on social media for the latest updates and tips on beauty trends, treatments, and more. Embrace the aesthetic revolution today, and discover the power of personalized beauty at Sisu Clinic.
If you have any questions or concerns after your anti-wrinkle treatment at Sisu Clinic, your doctor is always available. If you're considering your first treatment and want to understand what to expect before and after, book a free consultation at your nearest Irish clinic — we'll walk you through everything before you commit to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after anti-wrinkle treatment can I exercise?
You can do light exercise like walking from immediately after treatment. Strenuous exercise that significantly raises your heart rate and body temperature should be avoided for 24 hours. After 24 hours, all exercise including gym, running, yoga, Pilates, and HIIT is completely fine.
Can I drink coffee after anti-wrinkle treatment?
Yes — caffeine in normal amounts is fine. The restrictions around circulation apply to strenuous exercise and alcohol, not to a regular cup of coffee. Staying well hydrated after treatment is actually beneficial, so water, tea, and coffee are all fine.
What happens if I accidentally touch my face after anti-wrinkle treatment?
Accidentally touching your face is not a cause for concern. The instruction to avoid touching the treated area refers to pressing, rubbing, or massaging the injection sites — not to normal, incidental contact. If you touch your forehead briefly within the first few hours, this is unlikely to have any effect on your results.
Can I wear glasses after anti-wrinkle treatment?
If you've had treatment in the forehead or around the eyes, try to avoid glasses frames resting on the treated area for the first few hours. If your glasses sit on the bridge of your nose rather than directly on an injection site, this is generally fine.
Why do I need to wait 14 days to see full results?
Anti-wrinkle injections work by blocking the signal between the nerve and the muscle, causing the muscle to relax. This process takes time — the product needs to be absorbed by the nerve endings, after which the muscle gradually relaxes. Most of this happens in the first week, but full onset takes 10 to 14 days. Patients who feel their treatment hasn't worked at day 5 or 7 should wait the full 2 weeks before drawing any conclusions.
Can I combine anti-wrinkle treatment with other treatments on the same day?
At Sisu Clinic, your doctor will advise you on the safest sequencing of treatments during your consultation. Generally, anti-wrinkle treatment combines well with dermal fillers, lip filler, and profhilo on the same visit. Treatments involving significant heat or pressure to the face (such as microneedling or chemical peels) are better spaced at least 2 weeks apart.
When should I book my next anti-wrinkle treatment?
Most patients rebook every 3 to 4 months to maintain consistent results. We recommend not leaving significantly longer than 4 months between treatments in the first year, as this allows the muscles to be conditioned progressively. Over time, many patients find they can extend their intervals as the muscles soften from regular treatment.
Where can I get anti-wrinkle treatment in Ireland?
Sisu Clinic offers doctor-led anti-wrinkle treatment across all our Irish clinic locations including Dublin (City Centre, Ranelagh, Blackrock, Dundrum, Castleknock, Sutton, Terenure), Cork (City Centre, Douglas, Ballincollig), Limerick, Galway, Killarney, Waterford, Naas and Greystones. A free consultation is included. Book at your nearest clinic through our online booking system.
Share this article
