Skincare with Active Ingredients after Botox & Filler?

Question

How many days after botox and juvederm fillers (Volux XC & Ultra Plus XC) can I start using skincare with active ingredients like Azelaic Acid & Salicylic Acid? I used it 6 days after treatment, and only used it once. Next day when I confirmed with the nurse they mentioned two weeks but not to worry if I used it. Can botox and filler dissolve or migrate if used too soon? What complications can happen? I'm worried I ruined my results.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for being cautious about your post-treatment care—it’s completely understandable to worry about your results.

Using skincare with active ingredients like azelaic acid or salicylic acid after Botox or fillers is generally safe, but timing matters mainly to avoid irritation at the injection sites. Typically, the recommendation is to wait about 1–2 weeks after treatment before using strong actives regularly. The main reason is that the skin may still be slightly inflamed or sensitive from the injections, and using actives too soon can cause redness, irritation, or stinging.

The good news is that using these products once, six days after treatment, is very unlikely to affect your Botox or fillers. Botox works in the muscle beneath the skin, and fillers sit within the deeper dermis or subcutaneous tissue, so topical acids cannot dissolve or migrate your products. Your results should remain intact.

The main complications from using actives too soon would be skin irritation, redness, or peeling around the treated areas, but these are usually temporary and don’t impact the cosmetic results.

In summary, there’s no need to worry; you didn’t ruin your results. Going forward, it’s best to wait the recommended 1–2 weeks before resuming activities regularly, and always monitor how your skin reacts. Gentle cleansing and moisturizing in the meantime can help the skin heal optimally.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You can use your regular skin care products after your filler and Botox treatment.  The only caution is to use gentle cleansing and pressure.  We recommend using medical grade skin care products like Transform MD and wearing sunscreen every day.

Anna Avaliani, MD · Answer

Using your skin care products absolutely does not effect the result of your botox or filler unless when you are applying them, you are rubbing them really hard. These precautions with Azelaic acid and Salicylic acid are more pertinent to lasers, as they can irritate the skin.Do not worry. You are fine and nothing is ruined.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

As a general rule, we tell our patients to resume their normal skin care approximately two hours after the administration of Botox or fillers. The small punctures created by the needle should have been completely closed by that point in time. I hope this helps and good luck from New York City Plastic Surgery.

Skincare with Active Ingredients after Botox & Filler?

Answers (4)

More Dermal Fillers Questions

Are there any dermal fillers that can be used to restore volume to contour deformities in the body? (Photo)

Please recommend me procedures to improve my face (Photo)

Dissolved fillers after developing malar mounds. Filler after dissolving? Now what? (photos)

I have large fatty bags under my eyes. What is the best treatment for this? (photo)

Which procedure would minimize wrinkles, fine lines, creases and volume loss in the under eyes? 27 y/o (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS