The Rewind Report: What NOT to Do Before Your Med Spa Appointment
Welcome back to the Rewind Report!
Today we’re sharing something that can make a huge difference in your results: the things we wish patients wouldn’t do before coming in for aesthetic treatments.
Most of these tips are simple, but following them can help reduce bruising, improve healing, minimize complications, and ensure you get the best possible outcome from your appointment.
Don’t Show Up Sunburned
One of the biggest reasons treatments have to be postponed is sunburn.
If your skin is sunburned, many treatments simply aren’t safe to perform.
That includes:
- Microneedling
- Chemical peels
- Laser treatments
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
- Heat-based devices
Sunburned skin is already inflamed, and performing additional treatments can increase irritation and the risk of complications.
If possible, arrive with healthy, protected skin—not freshly tanned or sunburned.
Avoid Alcohol Before Your Appointment
Another common recommendation is to avoid drinking alcohol before your treatment.
Alcohol can thin the blood and increase your chances of bruising after injectables.
If you’re planning to celebrate, it’s generally better to wait until after your appointment.
Giving your body a chance to heal first can help minimize swelling and bruising.
Skip the Heavy Makeup
You don’t need to arrive wearing a full face of makeup.
In fact, it’s often better if you don’t.
Coming in with clean skin allows your provider to:
- Properly evaluate your skin
- See areas of concern clearly
- Save valuable treatment time
If you’re coming directly from work or another event, don’t worry—we can always remove makeup before treatment.
But there’s no need to get dressed up just for your appointment.
Don’t Schedule Travel Immediately After Treatment
Planning to fly the day after filler or other injectable treatments isn’t ideal.
Travel—especially air travel—can increase swelling due to changes in cabin pressure and altitude.
Providers also prefer patients to remain nearby for a few days after treatment in case questions or concerns arise.
If you’re planning an important trip, schedule your treatments well in advance.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute Before a Big Event
One of the biggest mistakes patients make is scheduling aesthetic treatments only a few days before an important event.
Whether it’s a wedding, vacation, graduation, or special celebration, injectables need time to settle.
Bruising, swelling, and small adjustments are all normal parts of the process.
For major events like weddings, it’s recommended to schedule injectable treatments approximately six weeks in advance.
This allows enough time for:
- Initial healing
- Two-week follow-up appointments
- Any necessary touch-ups
- Complete resolution of swelling or bruising
Don’t Come in Sick or While Taking Antibiotics
If you’re sick, running a fever, or currently taking antibiotics, it’s usually best to reschedule your appointment.
When your immune system is already fighting an illness, adding injectable treatments creates additional stress on the body.
Because fillers and biostimulators are sterile implanted materials, providers prefer your immune system to be functioning at full strength before treatment.
Waiting until you’ve fully recovered helps reduce unnecessary risks and promotes better healing.
Avoid Dental Work Around Injectable Treatments
Dental procedures can increase inflammation and expose your body to large amounts of bacteria.
For that reason, many providers recommend avoiding major dental work for approximately two weeks before and after injectable treatments.
This includes procedures such as:
- Dental cleanings
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Root canals
- Other invasive dental work
Spacing these appointments apart helps minimize unnecessary inflammation and supports proper healing.
Avoid Hot Tubs, Saunas & Intense Exercise
Immediately after treatment, avoid activities that significantly increase your body temperature or heart rate.
This includes:
- Hot tubs
- Saunas
- Steam rooms
- Hot yoga
- Intense workouts
These activities may increase swelling and can interfere with early healing.
For neurotoxin treatments, providers often recommend waiting at least 24 hours before returning to strenuous exercise.
Wait Before Getting a Facial or Massage
Although facials and massages are wonderful treatments, it’s best not to schedule them immediately after injectables.
Facial massage can potentially shift newly placed filler or neurotoxin before it has fully settled.
If you’re planning both treatments, it’s generally better to schedule your facial before your injectable appointment rather than afterward.
Watch Blood-Thinning Supplements & Medications
Certain medications and supplements can increase bruising during injectable treatments.
Some common examples include:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Advil®)
- Naproxen (Aleve®)
- Fish oil
- Turmeric
- Ginkgo biloba
- Kava
Never stop prescription medications without speaking to your physician.
However, if you’re taking over-the-counter supplements, discuss them with your provider before your appointment so they can advise you appropriately.
Communication Is Key
If you’re unsure whether something may affect your appointment, simply ask.
Whether you’ve recently been sick, have travel plans, are taking medications, or have another concern, your provider would much rather answer questions beforehand than have you risk a poor outcome.
If necessary, don’t hesitate to reschedule your appointment.
Waiting a little longer is often the safest decision and helps ensure you receive the best possible results.
Final Thoughts
Preparing properly for your aesthetic appointment is one of the easiest ways to improve your results.
Arrive with healthy skin, avoid unnecessary inflammation, follow your provider’s instructions, and give yourself plenty of time before important events.
A little planning goes a long way toward achieving beautiful, natural-looking results.
Thanks for watching the Rewind Report. We’ll see you next week!
