Recovery Timelines for Every Major Medspa Treatment

Botox has almost no recovery in the traditional sense — you can return to most normal activities the same day. The main restrictions are avoiding lying flat, intense exercise, and direct pressure on treated areas for about four hours post-injection to prevent product migration. Bruising is possible but usually mild. Results take 7 to 14 days to fully appear, which isn't downtime exactly but does mean you shouldn't schedule a big event within a week expecting to see final results.

Filler has more variable recovery. Swelling peaks in the first 24 to 48 hours and typically resolves within a week, though lip filler can take longer because the lips are highly vascular. Bruising can range from none to significant depending on the area, your individual tendency to bruise, and whether you avoided blood thinners beforehand. Plan for seven to fourteen days before attending an event where you want to look your best.

Light chemical peels (enzyme peels, light glycolic or lactic acid treatments) have minimal downtime — some redness and possible light flaking over two to four days. Medium peels like VI Peel or TCA produce more significant peeling over five to seven days. Deep peels or ablative laser treatments involve real downtime: redness, peeling, and sensitivity for one to two weeks, with full healing taking several weeks to months for the most aggressive treatments.

Microneedling produces redness and some pinpoint bleeding immediately after treatment that typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Skin feels sensitive and may look flushed for a day or two. You can usually return to work the next day with mineral makeup if needed. Avoid active skincare (retinol, acids, vitamin C) for about three to five days post-treatment.

Non-invasive body contouring (like CoolSculpting or similar fat-reduction treatments) typically involves redness, swelling, and soreness in the treated area for several days to a few weeks. Results take eight to twelve weeks to fully appear as the body processes treated fat cells. Kybella (injectable fat reduction under the chin) causes significant swelling for one to two weeks — more than most clients expect. Plan your schedule accordingly.

Thread lifts involve some swelling and dimpling that usually resolves in one to two weeks. The final result continues to improve over the following months. Ultherapy and radiofrequency skin tightening treatments have minimal immediate downtime but cause redness and mild sensitivity that usually resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Results from these treatments build gradually over three to six months.