Microneedling After Botox: How Long Should You Wait?


Linda Robison
By: Linda Robison — Certified Facial Fitness Specialist
Disclosure: As an affiliate partner and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Linda Robison
By: Linda Robison — Certified Facial Fitness Specialist
Disclosure: As an affiliate partner and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

✅ Quick answer

Yes. If you’ve already had Botox, waiting about 2 weeks before microneedling is a common conservative approach and is what I’d personally do.

There isn’t one research-backed waiting period that applies to everyone, so your injector may recommend a different schedule. Below, I’ll explain why timing matters, which treatment usually makes sense to do first, and what to avoid.

A woman getting microneedling after Botox injections.

Why does timing matter?

Botox needs a little time to settle into the muscles where it was injected. Microneedling, on the other hand, works by creating tiny controlled injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen.

That’s why I wouldn’t rush into microneedling right after Botox. Too much pressure or skin manipulation too soon may interfere with your results.

If you’re comparing Botox with other treatments too, this Botox combination treatments guide shows which ones pair well and which ones need more spacing.

How long to wait after Botox for Microneedling?

You’ll often see recommendations to wait about 2 weeks after Botox before microneedling, but I couldn’t find strong evidence showing that 2 weeks is a required waiting period.

Botox aftercare generally includes avoiding rubbing, massaging, or putting pressure on the treated area for a short time after injections. Beyond that, microneedling timing can vary by provider.

So if you’ve already had Botox, I’d follow the timing your injector recommends before scheduling microneedling.

My approach: Personally, I’d wait about 2 weeks after Botox before having microneedling. I’d rather give the treated area a little time before doing another facial treatment over it.

Risks of Microneedling too soon

Right after Botox, we are commonly told not to rub, massage, or put pressure on the treated area.

Microneedling also causes temporary redness, tenderness, swelling, and irritation of its own. Because the two treatments affect the face in different ways, I wouldn’t rush into microneedling immediately after Botox unless the provider treating you says it’s appropriate.

For me, this is one of those situations where I’d rather give the area a little time than stack two treatments too close together.

Should you get Botox before or after microneedling?

Yes — the order can matter, especially if you’re trying to fit both treatments close together.

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Microneedling before Botox:  If I were planning both close together, this is the order I’d prefer because the microneedling is done before any Botox is injected.

Microneedling after Botox: If you’ve already had Botox, give it time to settle before microneedling and follow the timing your injector recommends.

Always consult a professional for the best approach.

How microneedling and Botox work differently

Microneedling works more on skin texture and collagen, while Botox targets muscle movement that causes expression lines. That’s why the two treatments can complement each other without doing the same job.

How They Work:

  • Microneedling (also known as collagen induction therapy) involves using tiny needles to create microscopic punctures in the skin. This triggers your skin’s natural healing process, promoting collagen and elastin production. As a result, your skin looks fresher, firmer, and rejuvenated.
  • Botox injections use botulinum toxin to temporarily relax facial muscles. This reduces the movement that causes dynamic wrinkles, such as frown lines or crow’s feet. 

Want a non-injectable option too? You can also compare facial exercises with Botox to see how they work differently.

ABZ Tip: If you’re still deciding whether Botox is right for you, see my Botox benefits and mistakes to avoid

Microneedling & Botox: Same appointment? 

Woman preparing for a microdermabrasion and Botox treatment in a relaxing spa setting, rejuvenating her skin for a youthful appearance.

Sometimes, yes. Microneedling and Botox can be done during the same visit, but the provider may choose to separate them depending on the treatment plan.

If they’re done together, microneedling is often done first so the skin isn’t being worked over right after Botox injections.

If you’ve already had Botox, I’d personally wait rather than schedule microneedling right away. About 2 weeks is a common conservative approach, although your injector may recommend a different interval.

If you’re also planning a facial, that has its own timing rules too. See when it’s safe to get a facial after Botox.

Benefits of combining treatments

Botox and microneedling work in different ways, which is why they can complement each other when timed properly:

  • Botox softens expression lines caused by repeated muscle movement.
  • Microneedling works on skin texture and collagen, so it addresses a different part of skin aging.
  • That means one treatment can address skin texture while the other targets expression lines.

What happens during your appointment

If your provider plans to do both in the same appointment, they may choose to do the microneedling first so they aren’t working over freshly injected Botox. A typical visit may look like this:

  1. Microneedling first – The skin is cleansed, numbing cream may be applied, and the microneedling treatment is completed.
  2. Botox afterward – If your provider feels it’s appropriate, Botox can then be injected into the planned treatment areas.
  3. Aftercare – Follow the instructions for each treatment. After Botox, you may be told to avoid rubbing or putting pressure on the injected areas for a period of time and to limit strenuous exercise briefly. After microneedling, keep skincare gentle while your skin recovers.

Why This Order?  Doing the microneedling first avoids working over areas that have just been injected with Botox.

What are the risks?

As with any cosmetic treatment, there are a few risks to consider when combining Botox and microneedling:

  • Swelling or redness after microneedling
  • Bruising or tenderness around Botox injection sites
  • Skin irritation or sensitivity, especially if treatments are done too close together
  • Less predictable Botox results if the treated area is manipulated too soon
  • A small risk of infection with microneedling if proper technique and aftercare aren’t followed

How to prep for Microneedling after Botox

If you’re planning microneedling after Botox, a little preparation can help reduce irritation and make the timing easier:

  • Wait about 2 weeks after Botox, or longer if your injector recommends it.
  • Make sure any swelling, bruising, or tenderness from Botox has settled.
  • Follow your provider’s instructions about retinoids, exfoliants, and other active skincare before microneedling.
  • Use gentle skincare afterward and avoid exfoliating until your skin has recovered — even gentle options like a sugar face scrub.
  • Protect your skin from the sun while it heals.
  • If you’re unsure about timing, check with the provider who did your Botox before booking microneedling.

Final takeaway: Microneedling after Botox

Yes, you can have microneedling after Botox — I just wouldn’t rush the timing.

  • Botox works by relaxing targeted muscles.
  • Microneedling works on the skin and helps stimulate collagen.
  • If I’d already had Botox, I’d personally wait about 2 weeks before microneedling.
  • If you’re planning both at the same time, your provider may choose to do the microneedling first.

For me, waiting a little longer is an easy choice. I’d rather give the Botox-treated area some time before having another treatment done over it.

FAQ: Microneedling after Botox questions

Question: Can I add other treatments into the mix like chemical peels?

Answer: Sometimes. Microneedling and certain chemical peels are actually combined in professional treatment protocols. But that doesn’t mean every peel should be paired with every microneedling treatment.

The right combination depends on the type and strength of the peel, the depth of the microneedling, what you’re treating, and how your skin reacts. I’d only combine them when the provider doing the treatment specifically plans it that way.

Question: Can I use hyaluronic acid after microneedling?

Answer: Yes, but I’d be careful about what you use right after treatment. Some professional microneedling protocols use hyaluronic acid, but not every serum is ideal on freshly treated skin.

I’d stick with the post-treatment product your provider recommends rather than automatically using your regular hyaluronic acid serum that same day.

Question: Is it safe to combine Botox and dermal fillers in the same treatment session?

Answer: I’ve personally had Botox and dermal fillers done during the same appointment many times, including treatments around my lips. They’re commonly combined in cosmetic treatment plans, but whether it makes sense to do both at once depends on the areas being treated and what your injector is doing.

If you’re considering both, you can read more about my experience with Botox and dermal fillers together.

Question:  Can I do Botox and microneedling on the same day?

Answer: Yes, they can sometimes be done on the same day, but I personally wouldn’t choose that if I had just had regular cosmetic Botox.

If I were scheduling both, I’d either have them done as part of a planned same-day treatment with the provider doing both, or I’d separate them. If I’d already had Botox, I’d personally wait about 2 weeks before microneedling over the treated area.

Question: Can microneedling move Botox?

Answer: I wouldn’t say microneedling literally “moves Botox.” What is clear is that rubbing, pressure, and manipulation are discouraged right after Botox. That’s one reason I prefer to wait before having microneedling over the same area. I’d give it about 2 weeks unless my injector told me otherwise.

Question: Does microneedling remove Botox?

Answer:  No, microneedling isn’t considered a way to remove or reverse Botox. Microneedling creates controlled injuries in the skin to stimulate a healing response, while Botox works by reducing nerve signals to targeted muscles. They work in different ways.

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Linda Robison, certified facial fitness specialist and anti-aging advisor for women over 40

About the Author:

Linda Robison is a Certified Facial Fitness Specialist and founder of Anti-Aging Beauty Zone, where she shares practical tips, products, techniques, and at-home options for women over 40. She personally tests many of the methods she writes about.

Experience: Linda spent nearly 15 years as an Anti-Aging Health Advisor at the Life Extension Foundation and has over 30 years of experience testing facial anti-aging techniques, including training in Carolyn’s Facial Fitness. Her work has been featured in GB News and Beauty Box Magazine. You can view her background on LinkedIn and follow her on Pinterest.


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