Alcohol and facial redness after injections is a topic that concerns many people who enjoy a drink but also want to look their best with cosmetic treatments like Botox or dermal fillers. To understand whether alcohol can increase redness after these procedures, it helps to look at how alcohol affects the skin, how injections work, and what medical experts recommend.
## How Alcohol Affects the Skin
Alcohol is known to cause blood vessels to widen, a process called vasodilation. This is why some people get a flushed, red face after drinking, especially those with a condition known as Asian Flushing Syndrome, which is common in people of East Asian descent due to a genetic deficiency in the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2)[1]. When this enzyme doesn’t work properly, a toxic substance called acetaldehyde builds up in the body after drinking alcohol, leading to facial redness, increased heart rate, and sometimes nausea[1]. Even in people without this syndrome, alcohol can still cause temporary redness because it relaxes blood vessels near the skin’s surface.
Alcohol also thins the blood, which can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after any kind of injection, including cosmetic ones[4]. Thinner blood means it’s easier for small blood vessels to break during the injection process, leading to more noticeable redness, bruising, or swelling at the injection sites[4].
## What Happens During Facial Injections
Facial injections like Botox and dermal fillers are minimally invasive procedures. Botox relaxes muscles to reduce wrinkles, while fillers add volume to areas like the cheeks or lips. Both involve using a fine needle to inject substances under the skin. It’s normal to have some redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection sites right after the procedure, but these effects usually fade within a few hours to a couple of days[2][7]. Bruising is less common but can happen, especially if you have sensitive skin or take medications that thin the blood[2][7].
## Can Alcohol Make Redness Worse After Injections?
Medical experts generally advise avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after facial injections[2][7]. There are a few reasons for this:
– **Increased Redness:** Alcohol’s vasodilating effect can make any post-injection redness more noticeable. If your skin is already prone to flushing from alcohol, you might see more pronounced redness after drinking, especially soon after your treatment[1][3].
– **Higher Risk of Bruising and Swelling:** Because alcohol thins the blood, drinking before or after injections can make bruising and swelling more likely[4]. This doesn’t just apply to cosmetic injections—any medical procedure involving needles carries this risk if alcohol is consumed around the time of treatment.
– **Delayed Healing:** Alcohol can interfere with the body’s natural healing processes. While the evidence is stronger for surgeries, it’s reasonable to think that minimizing alcohol could help your skin recover faster from injections as well.
## What Do Dermatologists and Cosmetic Experts Recommend?
Most reputable clinics and dermatologists suggest avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after getting Botox or fillers[2][7]. This helps reduce the risk of bruising, swelling, and excessive redness. If you have a history of alcohol-induced facial flushing, you might want to avoid alcohol for even longer, as your skin could react more strongly[1][3].
After your treatment, it’s also a good idea to avoid strenuous exercise, excessive heat, and anything else that could increase blood flow to your face, as these can also make redness and swelling worse[7]. Applying ice as directed by your provider can help minimize these effects[7].
## Are There Any Exceptions?
For most people, having a single drink a day or two after your injections is unlikely to cause serious problems, but it could make any redness or swelling last a bit longer. If you have a special event and want to look your best, it’s safest to skip alcohol until any side effects from your injections have completely resolved.
If you have a medical condition that makes you flush easily from alcohol, or if you take medications that interact with alcohol, you should talk to your doctor before scheduling any cosmetic injections. They can give you personalized advice based on your health history.
## Realistic Expectations
It’s normal to have some redness after facial injections, even if you avoid alcohol[2][7]. This redness is usually mild and goes away quickly. If you notice severe redness, pain, or other unusual symptoms, contact your provider right away, as these could be signs of an allergic reaction or infection, though these are rare[2][9].
## Key Points to Remember
– Alcohol can increase facial redness, especially in people prone to flushing[1][3].
– Alcohol thins the blood, raising the risk of bruising and swelling after injections[4].
– Most experts recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after facial injections to minimize side effects[2][7].
– If you have a history of alcohol-induced redness or take blood-thinning medications, be extra cautious and consult your provider.
– Mild redness after injections is normal and usually temporary, even without alcohol[2][7].
By understanding how alcohol affects your skin and following your provider’s instructions, you can help ensure the best possible results from your facial injections.
[1] Dr. Rachel Ho, Alcohol & Dermatology: The Asian Flushing Syndrome
[2] South Coast Dermatology, BOTOX® COSMETIC
[3] Dr.Oracle, How does alcohol consumption affect facial blotchiness?
[4] DHgate, Alcohol After Botox: Risks, Side Effects, and Guidelines
[7] Flawless MedSpa, Cheek Filler Before and After: What to Expect from Your Treatment
