Free Aftercare Instructions Template Maker

Aftercare instructions by treatment

Below is the general advice used in the templates above. Clinics can edit every line in the tool. Patients: always follow the instructions your own doctor gave you.

Botox aftercare instructions

• Stay upright for 4 hours after your treatment.
• Gently move the treated muscles (frown, raise eyebrows) for the first hour if your doctor advised it.
• Results usually appear in 3 to 14 days.
• Do not rub, press or massage the treated area for 24 hours.
• Avoid heavy exercise, saunas, steam rooms and hot yoga for 24 hours.
• Avoid lying flat or bending down for long periods for 4 hours.

When to contact the clinic: Difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing (get urgent medical help). Drooping eyelid or eyebrow, or changes in your vision.

Lip filler and dermal filler aftercare

• Mild swelling, tenderness and bruising are common for a few days.
• Use a cold compress wrapped in a clean cloth for 10 minutes at a time if needed.
• Sleep with your head slightly raised for the first night.
• Do not massage the area unless your doctor told you to.
• Avoid heavy exercise, saunas and very hot showers for 24 to 48 hours.
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours.

When to contact the clinic: CALL IMMEDIATELY if the skin turns white, blue, grey or blotchy, or you have severe or increasing pain. Any change in vision (get emergency help).

Microneedling aftercare

• Redness and tightness, like mild sunburn, are normal for 1 to 3 days.
• Use only gentle skincare and the products your doctor recommended.
• Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day.
• Avoid makeup for 24 hours.
• Avoid retinol, acids and exfoliants for 3 to 5 days.
• Avoid saunas, swimming and heavy exercise for 24 to 48 hours.

When to contact the clinic: Signs of infection: increasing redness, swelling, heat, pus or fever. Rash, hives or a reaction to a product.

Laser hair removal aftercare

• Redness and small bumps around hair follicles are common for a few hours.
• Apply a cool compress or a soothing gel such as aloe vera.
• Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) on treated areas exposed to the sun.
• Avoid sun exposure, sunbeds and tanning before and after sessions.
• Avoid hot showers, saunas and heavy exercise for 24 to 48 hours.
• Do not wax, pluck or thread the treated area between sessions.

When to contact the clinic: Blisters, burns or crusting. Pain that gets worse instead of better.

Chemical peel aftercare

• Wash with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water.
• Moisturise often with the product your doctor recommended.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day and reapply outdoors.
• Do not pick, peel or scrub flaking skin. Let it come off naturally.
• Avoid retinoids, acids, scrubs and other active products for 5 to 7 days, or as advised.
• Avoid direct sun, saunas, swimming and heavy sweating for 48 hours.

When to contact the clinic: Blisters, crusting or oozing. Severe or increasing redness, swelling or pain.

HydraFacial aftercare

• Your skin may look slightly pink for a few hours.
• Drink water and keep your skin moisturised.
• Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day.
• Avoid retinoids, acids and scrubs for 24 to 48 hours.
• Avoid heavy makeup for the rest of the day.
• Avoid saunas, steam and very hot showers for 24 hours.

When to contact the clinic: Rash, itching or swelling that does not settle. Breakouts or irritation that keep getting worse.

Hair transplant aftercare

• Sleep with your head raised (about 45 degrees) for the first 3 to 5 nights.
• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed.
• Wash your hair only as your clinic showed you, starting on the day they advised.
• Do not touch, scratch or pick at the grafts or scabs.
• Avoid heavy exercise, bending and lifting for 1 to 2 weeks, or as advised.
• Avoid direct sun on the scalp. Wear a loose hat only when your doctor allows.

When to contact the clinic: Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of gentle pressure. Increasing pain, swelling, redness, pus or fever.

PRP hair treatment aftercare

• Mild tenderness and a tight feeling in the scalp are normal for a day or two.
• Wash your hair gently when your doctor says it is fine.
• Complete the full course of sessions for the best result.
• Avoid hair colour, perms and chemical treatments for 48 to 72 hours.
• Avoid heavy exercise, saunas and steam for 24 hours.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol for at least 24 hours.

When to contact the clinic: Signs of infection: increasing redness, swelling, pus or fever. Severe headache or pain that gets worse.

Teeth whitening aftercare

• Some tooth sensitivity is common for 1 to 2 days.
• Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth if needed.
• Keep brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth.
• Avoid tea, coffee, cola, red sauces, curry and other strongly coloured food and drinks for 48 hours.
• Avoid smoking and tobacco, especially for 48 hours.
• Avoid very hot or very cold food and drinks if your teeth feel sensitive.

When to contact the clinic: Sensitivity or gum soreness that lasts more than a few days. White patches or irritation on the gums that do not settle.

Tooth extraction aftercare

• Bite firmly on the gauze for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Rest and keep your head raised for the first evening.
• Eat soft, cool food on the other side of the mouth.
• Do not rinse, spit hard or use a straw for 24 hours.
• Do not smoke for at least 72 hours.
• Avoid hot drinks, alcohol and hard or crunchy food for 24 hours.

When to contact the clinic: Bleeding that does not slow down after 30 minutes of firm pressure on gauze. Severe pain that starts 2 to 4 days later.

Root canal aftercare

• Wait until the numbness wears off before eating.
• Mild soreness for a few days is normal.
• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed.
• Avoid chewing hard or sticky food on the treated tooth until it has its final filling or crown.
• Do not delay your final restoration, as the tooth can crack.

When to contact the clinic: Severe pain or swelling. The temporary filling falls out.

Wound care instructions after stitches

• Keep the dressing clean and dry for 24 to 48 hours, or as advised.
• After that, clean gently as your doctor showed you and pat dry.
• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed.
• Do not soak the wound in a bath or swim until it has healed.
• Do not pick at scabs or stitches.
• Avoid heavy exercise that stretches the area until your doctor agrees.

When to contact the clinic: Spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or a bad smell. Fever or feeling unwell.