In an overwhelmingly crowded sea of med spas, influencers and viral before-and-after posts, there’s a very common claim: the "no downtime" pinky promise. Why, it seems like magic! You can get lasered, injected, or peeled and then immediately grab brunch with your friends like nothing happened except for your miraculously smooth, glowing, and definitely not at all red complexion.

But, and you probably know where this is going, if it seems too good to be true, it’s usually the TikTok beauty filter. Here's the truth: even the so-called "lunchtime procedures" aren't always as walk-in-walk-out as they seem. And that's not a bad thing! Understanding what realistic recovery actually looks like helps you plan better, set real expectations, and, most importantly, get the results you're paying for without the panic of showing up to work looking like you went three rounds with a sunburn.

So let's break down what you can actually expect from the most popular in-office treatments, when you should schedule them, and how to plan your life around your downtime (not the other way around).

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The Thursday Afternoon Treatments

These are your true "get it and get on with it" procedures. You'll see some minor evidence that something happened, but nothing that'll make you want to hide at home for days.

Neurotoxins (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, Letybo)

The immediate return to "normal" activities. This is about as close as you'll get to a true lunchtime treatment. You can walk out and go about your day, with some important caveats.

What to avoid:

• No lying down for 4 hours. Yes, really. You want that neurotoxin to stay put and settle where it's supposed to, not migrate somewhere you don't want it.
• No working out for 24 hours. The increased blood flow and face-down positions in certain exercises can mess with placement. In other words, no downward dogs, child’s pose, or anything of the like.
• No hot showers, saunas, or hot yoga for 24 hours. Heat = increased blood flow = potential migration. 
• Avoid massaging or pressing on the treated area for 48 hours. Let it settle!

GlowGuide tip:  Our physician-informed Aesthetic Intelligence™ is at your fingertips, ready to guide you through the process and answer any questions about what you can and can’t do and when (like when you wake up with anxiety at 2am because you can’t remember if your morning Solidcore class is too soon after your treatment. Ask us how we know).

What to expect:

• Possible minor bruising lasting 1-3 days. It’s more likely than not if you're prone to bruising or book your appointment right before your period.
• Small bumps at injection sites that typically go away within 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Results start appearing anywhere from 3-14 days, though certain brands like Letybo and Dysport, according to many who have used them, may kick in a bit sooner than others.

GlowGuide tip: Track your treatment in the app: Snap a photo right after your appointment, then document when you start seeing results kick in. This helps you understand your personal timeline and plan better for your next round. 

Best scheduled: Any weekday works if you can skip the gym that evening. Just make sure you don't have hot yoga or Barry's Bootcamp on the agenda.

Microneedling (Traditional)

This one has a bit more visible evidence that you did something, but it's manageable.

What to avoid:

• No makeup for 24 hours. But stick to mineral formulations, since your skin barrier is compromised and needs gentle products.
• No working out for 24 hours. Sweat + freshly needled skin = not a great combo for healing.
• The sun (as much as possible). Your skin is extra vulnerable to UV damage right now, so use (and by use, we mean USE) mineral sunscreen.

What to expect:

• A red, flushed appearance for 24-48 hours. Think post-hot sauna glow meets mild sunburn. Your skin will be very pink and possibly slightly swollen.
• Flaking skin around day 3-5. As your skin heals and regenerates, you'll experience some peeling. It's not dramatic "sheets of skin" peeling, more like dry skin flakes.

GlowGuide tip: Log your microneedling session in the app and track your peeling timeline. Over multiple sessions, you'll start to see patterns in your healing and can plan accordingly. The photo tracking feature is especially helpful here; watching your texture improve over time is so satisfying.

Best scheduled: Thursday afternoon so you can be mostly pink-free by Monday. Keep your weekend plans low-key.

Light Chemical Peels (Superficial)

These include peels with glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, or mandelic acid; basically anything targeting the very top layers of your skin.

What to avoid:

• No makeup for 24 hours. Go for mineral formulas after that if you must, since any makeup will only emphasise flaking skin. 
• No working out for 24 hours: You don't want sweat irritating freshly peeled skin
• Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Like pretend you’re playing ‘the floor is lava’ but instead of the floor it’s the sun. And mineral sunscreen is your only lifeline.  

What to expect:

• Tight, shiny skin immediately after. Your face will feel like it's been shrink-wrapped. Not painful, just weird.
• Peeling or flaking skin on days 3-7. This is when the magic happens. Your old, damaged skin is literally peeling off to reveal fresh skin underneath. Since these are light peels, the flaking is usually subtle, not full-face snake skin.

GlowGuide tip: A superficial peel is often done as a series (think 4-6 treatments spaced a few weeks apart), so tracking each one in GlowGuide helps you see cumulative results. 

Best scheduled: Friday for a low-key weekend. You'll look fine at home or running errands, but probably won't want to be in harsh office lighting during peak flake days.

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The Long Weekend Treatments

This is where things get a bit more serious. You're investing in real results, and your face is going to show it (temporarily). These moderate downtime treatments require some strategic calendar Tetris.

RF Microneedling

RF microneedling, like Profound or Potenza, combines traditional microneedling with radiofrequency energy, which means you're creating deeper injury and stimulating more dramatic collagen production. In other words, more downtime than regular microneedling.

What to avoid:

• No makeup for 48-72 hours. Again, preferably mineral only to avoid irritating healing skin.
• No working out for 48-72 hours. Give your injured skin time to close and start healing before you get sweaty.
• Stay out of the sun as much as possible. And use only mineral sunscreen.

What to expect:

• Significant redness and swelling for 3-5 days. We're talking red red. And depending on the area (under eyes and neck swell more), you might look a bit puffy. This is normal.
• Grid marks visible for 5-7 days. The needle pattern creates a visible grid on your skin. It fades, but it's definitely there.
• Bronzing/darkness and then peeling on days 3-10. This is the weird phase. Your skin gets darker before it starts peeling off. Don't panic, it's part of the process.

GlowGuide tip: RF microneedling is a commitment, and the results take months to fully develop as collagen rebuilds. Use GlowGuide to track your immediate healing, then take monthly progress photos to watch the long-term improvements unfold. It's easy to forget what you looked like before when results are gradual.

Best scheduled: Wednesday or Thursday before a long weekend. You want 4-5 solid days where you don't have to be seen in public or on video calls.

Medium Chemical Peels 

Medium peels, like 20-35% TCA peels, go deeper than superficial ones, which means more dramatic results, and more dramatic peeling.

What to avoid:

• No makeup until the peel fully completes. 7-10 days minimum.
• No working out until the peel fully completes. Again, around 7-10 days.
• Stay out of the sun completely until the peel fully completes. Then, you guessed it, very diligent use of mineral sunscreen.

What to expect:

• A tight, mask-like feeling for 2-3 days. Your skin will feel rigid. Moving your face will feel weird. This passes.
• Heavy peeling on days 3-7. This is not cute flaking. This is visible sheets of skin peeling off. It's fascinating and horrifying at the same time. Do NOT pick or peel; it can lead to hyperpigmentation. You can (and should) trim any hanging sheets of skin with small scissors.
• Raw, pink skin underneath the peeling skin. Once the peeling is done, you're left with fresh, pink, baby-soft skin that's incredibly sensitive. Hence the diligent mineral sunscreen.

GlowGuide tip: Document this journey. Seriously. The transformation from "oh god what have I done" to "holy moly my skin looks amazing" is wild, and you'll want the photo evidence. GlowGuide's timeline tracking is perfect for this. You can see exactly when the peeling started, peaked, and finished, which helps you plan for next time.

Best scheduled: Plan for a solid week at home. Work from home? Great. Have back-to-back Zoom calls? Definitely camera off. This is a "hide and heal" situation.

Fillers (Depending on the Area)

Filler downtime varies wildly depending on where you're getting injected. Lips? Expect to look like you had a very enthusiastic makeout session with a bee. Cheeks? Usually more subtle.

What to avoid: 

• No working out for 48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising.

What to expect:

• Immediate swelling (especially lips) for 3-7+ days. Lip filler swelling peaks around day 2-3, then gradually goes down. Other areas like under-eyes or cheeks can stay puffy for 1-2 weeks.
• Bruising that lasts 5-14 days. Filler involves a needle going into your face multiple times. Bruising happens. Arnica may help, but it's not magic.
• Under-eye fillers: Plan for 2 full weeks of potential swelling. This area is particularly prone to puffiness.

GlowGuide tip: Take a photo immediately after your appointment, then daily photos for the first week to track swelling. When it comes time for touch-ups or maintenance, you'll have a clear record of your healing timeline and can plan accordingly.

Best scheduled: At least 2 weeks before any big events. Do not, and we repeat, do not, get lip filler the week before your wedding. It never goes as planned.

Biostimulators 

Biostimulators, like Sculptra and Radiesse, are different from traditional fillers; they stimulate your skin to produce its own collagen over time rather than adding immediate volume.

What to avoid:

• No working out for 24-48 hours. 

What to expect:

• Immediate swelling at injection sites for 2-5 days. You'll be a bit puffy where you were injected, but nothing like filler swelling.
• Bruising that lasts 5-14 days. Like filler, it involves a needle going into your face multiple times. Arnica gel is your (admittedly somewhat flaky) friend. 
• Massage protocol. Your injector will give you specific instructions (probably the "5-5-5 rule": massage for 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days). Do it, even though it’ll probably be a little uncomfortable with the bruising. This ensures even distribution.
• Results emerge over 6-12 weeks: This is not an instant gratification treatment. You're playing the long game here. Don't expect to look dramatically different by next month.
• Multiple sessions. You’ll likely need another round 6-8 weeks later for best results. 

GlowGuide tip: Since biostimulators work gradually, progress photos are your jam. GlowGuide's timeline feature lets you track your initial swelling, document your massage routine, and then watch your results develop over the following months. This is especially helpful if you're doing multiple sessions.

Best scheduled: Thursday or Friday works great. The initial swelling is manageable, and you'll be fine by the weekend.

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The Plan-a-Staycation Treatments

These are the big guns. Significant downtime The treatments that make you question your life choices around day 4, then make you want to kiss your provider around day 30. They require serious commitment and serious privacy.

Deep Chemical Peels

Deep peels, like phenol and 50%+ TCA, are not for the faint of heart. They're also not commonly done anymore because ablative lasers can achieve similar results with potentially less risk. But some practitioners still offer them for severe photoaging or deep wrinkles.

What to avoid:

• No makeup for 10-14 days minimum.
• No working out until full peel completes. At least 10-14 days.
• Stay out of the sun completely until full peel completes. Then strict use of mineral sunscreen every single day for months (or, you know, forever).

What to expect:

• Intensive oozing and crusting for 7-10 days. Your skin will weep. You'll have crusty patches. You'll look like you've been in an accident. This is normal for this treatment.
• Pink, sensitive skin for 2-4 weeks. Once the crusting phase ends, you're left with very pink, very delicate new skin.

GlowGuide tip: Track this entire process in excruciating detail. Your daily photos will look like you’ve spent the last 8 hours at the hands of the best special-effects makeup artist, but they're incredibly valuable for understanding the timeline and for showing future you (or anyone considering this treatment) what the reality looks like. Also, log any pain, tightness, or concerns so you can discuss them with your provider if anything seems off.

Best scheduled: Plan for 2 weeks completely off-grid. No social obligations, no video calls, no in-person meetings. Tell everyone you have COVID or are out of town. Just hide.

Aggressive CO2 Laser Resurfacing

CO2 lasers vaporize the outer layers of your skin to treat wrinkles, scars, and sun damage. The results can be incredible. The downtime is not for the faint of heart.

What to avoid:

• No makeup for at least 2 weeks minimum.
• No working out for at least 7 days. And by “working out” we mean you can do very light activities like a slow walk on a treadmill, but no intense workouts for 2-4 weeks out.
• Stay out of the sun completely for 2 weeks minimum. Then use strict mineral sunscreen for months (forever).

What to expect:

• Oozing and bandages for 3-7 days. Your face will leak fluid as it heals. You may need to keep bandages or ointment on. It's intense.
• Raw, red skin for 10-14 days. Once the oozing stops, you're left with bright red, extremely sensitive skin. Think severe sunburn.
• Pink tone lasting 4-8 weeks (sometimes longer). Even after the redness calms down, you'll have a pink glow for weeks. Makeup helps cover it, but it's there.

GlowGuide tip: This is another treatment where documentation is everything. The transformation is dramatic, but it takes time. Use GlowGuide to track your daily healing, note any concerns (increased redness, unexpected swelling, etc.), and monitor your long-term results. The before/after comparison at 3+ months out will be worth the nightmare healing phase.

Best scheduled: Just hide. Seriously. Plan for at least 3 weeks before you need to be seen publicly. Work from home if possible, or take vacation time.

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The Fine Print

Here's what nobody talks about: your downtime might not match your friend's downtime, or the Instagram influencer's downtime, or even the timeline your injector quoted you.

Your Mileage May Vary: Factors That Affect Your Downtime 

Skin type: Darker skin tones tend to have longer inflammation and a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). If you have melanin-rich skin, your downtime might be longer than the "typical" timeline.

Treatment intensity: Your provider can often adjust the intensity of lasers, peels, or RF microneedling. More aggressive = better results but longer downtime. Always ask about intensity options.

Provider technique: An experienced, skilled injector or laser technician will minimize trauma to your skin, which can reduce downtime. This is not the time to cheap out or go to someone fresh out of training.

Your healing response: Some people heal fast. Some people swell dramatically. Some people bruise if you look at them wrong. You won't know your personal response until you try a treatment, which is why tracking everything in GlowGuide is so valuable.

"Social Downtime" vs. "Physical Downtime"

Physical downtime = when you physically can't do something (work out, apply makeup, go in the sun).

Social downtime = when you can physically do things, but you look weird enough that you'd rather not be seen.

For example, after Botox, your physical downtime is minimal (just avoid lying down and working out for a bit). But if you bruise, your social downtime might be 3-5 days.

GlowGuide tip: When you're tracking a treatment, note both your physical recovery (when you could technically resume activities) and your social recovery (when you actually felt comfortable being seen). This helps you plan more accurately next time.

Planning for Bruising

Bruising is the wild card of injectables. Some people never bruise. Some people look like they went three rounds in a boxing ring. Here's how to minimize your risk.

Before your appointment:

• Start taking arnica (oral or topical) 2-3 days before.
• Avoid blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, and alcohol for at least 24-48 hours before (or longer if possible).
• Avoid scheduling around your period; you're more likely to bruise right before menstruation.
• Stay hydrated.

After your appointment:

• Continue using arnica.
• Ice the area (but not directly on skin; wrap ice in a towel).
• Sleep elevated the first night.
• Avoid alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours.

The Makeup Prep: Mineral vs. Traditional

Why do we keep saying "mineral makeup only"?

When your skin barrier is compromised (which it is after most aesthetic treatments), you want to avoid ingredients that could irritate or cause reactions. Mineral makeup (containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) sits on top of the skin rather than being absorbed, making it safer for healing skin. It also typically contains fewer potential irritants.

Traditional makeup often contains fragrances, preservatives, potentially pore-clogging oils that can clog pores, or chemical SPF that can be irritating.

Sun Avoidance Is Non-Negotiable.

We’re going to say this loud for the people in the back: YOU CANNOT SKIP SUN PROTECTION AFTER AESTHETIC TREATMENTS 

Post-treatment skin is more vulnerable to UV damage, more likely to develop hyperpigmentation, more likely to scar, and more prone to premature aging (ironic, right?). So invest in a good mineral SPF 30+ and reapply every 2 hours.

You can make things easier on yourself by planning for this. Schedule treatments in the fall and winter, work from home during peak healing, wear a wide-brimmed hat if you have to go outside (call it your Jackie O era), and skip the outdoor activities during peak healing.

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Real-World Scheduling Scenarios

General timelines are super helpful, but seeing it in actual life examples clicks different. 

"I have a wedding in 6 weeks". The plan:

• 6 weeks out: Consider a light chemical peel or microneedling if your skin needs a glow boost. 
• 5 weeks out: Filler if needed, so any swelling or bruising has time to fully resolve. 
• 4 weeks out: Get any neurotoxins now so they're fully settled by the wedding.
• 3-2 weeks out: Maintenance only. Think (gentle) facials or LED treatments if you must. 
• 1 week out: No new treatments. This is your "don't touch your face" week.

What NOT to do:

• Any aggressive treatments like medium peels, RF microneedling or aggressive lasers within 6 weeks of the event
• New-to-you treatments within 4 weeks. You don't know how your skin will react.
• Lip filler within 2 weeks (swelling is unpredictable).

GlowGuide tip: Create a plan in the app. Track your treatments; having a visual timeline prevents panic-booking something too close to the event.

"I work from home but have Zoom calls"

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Does this matter for scheduling? Yes and no. You have more flexibility than someone who has to show up to an office, but you're still on camera. 

Minimal downtime treatments like Botox, light peels, microneedling should be scheduled on Thursday or Friday. By Monday, you'll look fine on Zoom with good lighting and maybe some strategic camera angles.

For moderate downtime treatments like RF microneedling, medium peels, and filler, you'll need to either keep the camera off for a few days, schedule around a long weekend or use vacation days, or use excellent lighting and strategic camera angles (ring lights are your friend here).

For significant downtime treatments like CO2 or deep peels), you'll need to actually take time off (like 7-10 days minimum), or have a very lenient on-camera meeting policy.

Pro tip: Position your camera slightly above eye level and invest in a ring light to minimize the appearance of redness, swelling, and peeling on video.

"I have limited PTO"

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Maximizing long weekends. Book RF microneedling, medium peels, or filler on the Thursday before holidays like Veterans Day, Thanksgiving (if you’re not traveling), MLK Day, or Presidents Day. You’ll get 4 days off to heal and then return to work looking refreshed (but not obviously "done"). Christmas and New Year's are ideal for aggressive treatments like CO2 or deep peels if you have a week or two off and most people look tired and blotchy during the holidays anyway, so you blend in.

What NOT to do:

• Use your limited PTO for minimal downtime treatments (a waste of precious days off).
• Schedule aggressive treatments without enough recovery time.
• Book anything major right before returning to work or a big event.

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"I want to look refreshed for summer/holidays"

Let's say you want to look amazing for a July beach vacation. Since many treatments take 2-3 months to show full results as collagen rebuilds, you need some buffer time in case healing takes longer than expected, AND you want to be fully healed before sun exposure, here's your timeline:

March: Start planning and consultations if you haven't already.

April: A good time to start treatments that need multiple sessions like microneedling, light peels, and biostimulators.

May: This is your window for moderate treatments like RF microneedling, medium peels

June: Light, non-aggressive treatments only (facials, LED, maybe a superficial peel early in the month).

July (vacation): No new treatments, just maintenance and sunscreen.

GlowGuide tip: When you have a target date (wedding, vacation, reunion), input it in the app and work backward to create your treatment plan. The app can help you map out an ideal timeline based on the treatments you're considering.

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Here for the Downtime, Not a Good Time

Here's what we want you to remember: downtime is part of the process. Yes, it can be annoying. Yes, it requires patience. But it’s also proof your treatment is working. Your skin needs time to heal, regenerate, and rebuild collagen. Rushing that process won’t get you better results faster; it just increases your risk of complications and less-than-great outcomes.

Being honest with your provider about your schedule, your lifestyle, and your tolerance for downtime sets you up for success. If you only have 3 days to hide but you're considering a treatment that needs 7, either find more time or choose a different treatment. There's no shame in working within your constraints.

And when in doubt? Add buffer time. Always. If your injector says 3-5 days of redness, plan for 7. If they say you can wear makeup after 24 hours, wait until 48 just to be safe. Your skin (and your stress levels) will thank you.

GlowGuide makes this entire process easier. Track your treatments, document your healing with photos, and build a library of your personal response to different procedures. Over time, you'll know exactly how your skin behaves, how long you need to heal, and when to schedule your next treatment. No more guessing, no more surprises, no more showing up to important events looking like you had a fistfight with a laser.

Ready to take the guesswork out of your aesthetic treatment journey? Download GlowGuide and start tracking your treatments like a pro.

Your face is an investment. Treat the planning process like one too.

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