Facial Injections: Info, Prices, Photos, Reviews, Q&A

Exercise and Botox? Best not to mix the two

Exercise and Botox are not the best mix. Usually, I let my patients exercise in the morning prior the Botox treatment.

To make it clear, this is before they come in to the clinic, but not a few minutes before the treatment itself.

I also advise them to stop any exercise routine later in the day, which is after the treatment. I normally allow them to resume exercise the next day, but there may be exceptions in some special cases.

You see, exercise improves circulation in our body. This also includes blood circulation in the face – the reason why the face gets red and flushes when we work out.

Improved circulation is always good for the skin.

However, it DOES increase the risk of having the Botox displaced from the injection site before even getting completely absorbed.

This is not favorable for you as this may leave behind less Botox than intended, eventually decreasing the effectiveness.

Additionally, we do not like to increase the risk of having the Botox acting in places where we do not want it to. Because of these reasons, I strictly advise “No exercise!” after Botox. I see to it my patients cancel any physical training or exercise sessions. (Robert W. Sheffield, MD, Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon)

I tell my patients not to do any real vigorous exercising the day of their Botox treatment and wait until the next day to resume all activities. This seems to have worked well. Normal activities around the house after Botox seems to be OK. (Richard Pecunia, MD, FACS, Hattiesburg Plastic Surgeon)

I always ask my Botox patients to wait until the next morning to resume exercising in order to allow the Botox to remain in the muscles injected without the body working hard to break it down and metabolize it faster than it already does! (Virginia A. Pittman-Waller, MD, Webster Physician)

I have my patients wait 24 hours after Botox injections before resuming exercise. (Gregory Baum, MD, Syracuse Plastic Surgeon)

Not Advisable to Exercise After Botox

Since the Botox needs to be absorbed into the muscle after the injection, and since this takes about 3-4 hours, it’s advisable not to spend a lot of time bending over with you head down, or exercising after your Botox injections, as this may cause the Botox to shift to the wrong area and create undesirable muscle weakness. (Bruce Saal, MD, Los Gatos Dermatologic Surgeon)

Exercise after muscle relaxant therapy.

Due to the increase in blood flow through all of our muscles when we exercise there are two potential drawbacks to exercising shortly after a muscle relaxant treatment: Some of the product may be swept out of the muscle before it has time to bind and take effect, producing diminished treatment results and;If the product is swept into another muscle it may bind there and take effect, resulting in relaxation of the wrong muscle.

This may cause asymmetry or complications such as droopy eyelid (depending on the areas treated). It is for this reason that I advise all of my patients to avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours following treatment. (Scott Ellis, MBBS, Adelaide Physician)

Exercise after Botox treatment

Botox performs its effects on the nerves within one hour of treatment. It is very fast acting. There are theoretical concerns that exercise which increases blood flow to the skin can encourage diffusion of the product to nearby muscle groups and inducing an adverse effect. (Steven L. Greene, MD, Seattle Dermatologic Surgeon)

Exercise after Botox

I would recommend avoiding heavy exercise straight after Botox to get the best result. Immediately after your Botox, I would recommend that you move your facial muscles – ie; where you got the injections, just for a couple of minutes immediately after the injection.

After that I would suggest not to do any heavy exercise for the rest of the day. (Kambiz Golchin, MBBS, FRCS (Eng), FRCS(ORL-HNS), London Facial Plastic Surgeon)

This may be a tale and not supported by science

Once botox is injected- most doctors will tell you not to lie down or perform any vigorous activity for fear that the botox may move. How often this happens is actually hard to tell. If a small volume of botox is injected into the anatomically correct area- lying down or mild exercise should have no effect on migration of the botox. (Sameer Bashey, MD, Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon)

Botox aftercare instructions

Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression.

After a Botox treatment I recommend that my patients avoid heat exposure, alcohol consumption, and strenuous exercise for 24 hours after a treatment and avoid lying flat for 4 hours after a treatment.

Any of these activities could potentially cause movement of the Botox. If Botox spreads to nearby muscles it can lead to side effects such as droopy eyelids, blurred vision, or an asymmetric smile. Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. (Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD, Encino Physician)

Post Botox Instructions

Although I am unaware of any controlled studies supporting them, I recommend the following based on several of my original trainers suggestions. No heavy exercise until the following day. For the first hour exercise the involved muscles periodically. (ie smile, frown, raise the brows etc)

Also for the first hour no naps, yoga/head stands, and no massage of the treated areas. It may not be scientific, but it seems to work in my years of experience. (Maurice M. Vick, Jr., MD, Baton Rouge Urologist)

When to exercise after Botox injection?

In my opinion, there are no hard data on to when to exercise after Botox treatment. I have them exercised the second day and ask them not to rub the area for 4 hours so they don’t move the product to an unwanted area.

That being said, this is all theoretical and there are no real data to support or deny. (Bernard S. Salameh, MD, Bowling Green Physician)

Botoxed for the holidays

You can exercise after botox. Theoretically it will increase your metabolism and could make the botox wear off quicker but this is likely negligible and on the order of days. One option is to consider fat transfer to the area.

Volume can also decrease long term wrinkles. (Benjamin Caughlin, MD, Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon)

I advise patients to refrain from strenuous activity or lying flat for 3 hours after Botox injections. After that point, you may do whatever estivates you wish. (Travis L. Shaw, MD, Richmond Facial Plastic Surgeon)

I always recommend not working out 24 hours after treatment. Also, you should avoid lying down for up to 4 hours. (Hardik Soni, MD (not currently practicing), Summit Emergency Medicine Physician)

I would encourage no exercise for 24 hours after Botox injection. (Praven Chetty, MD, Kelowna Physician)

You can exercise but careful with the forehead 🙂

The main thing to watch out for immediately after getting Botox is to avoid rubbing the forehead and brow regions. This can cause the Botox to migrate lower toward the eyelids, causing them to feel heavy.

So, you can exercise, but avoid any major forehead rubbing, and certainly avoid any facials or forehead massages for the first week after getting Botox. (Ross Blagg, MD, Austin Physician)

You should avoid exerting yourself for 24 hours.

It is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise, facials, or massage for 24 hours after Botox. Also, I would advise not laying flat for 4 hours after the treatment. The reason is to avoid migration of the product. (Ava Shamban, MD, Santa Monica Dermatologic Surgeon)

Do not exercise after Botox injections

I recommend that my patients do not workout after they get Botox injections for the rest of the day (feel free to go to the gym in the morning before your appointment). However, 24 hours after the injections you can return to your regular workout routine.

At this point the Botox has settled in and will not be affected by your exercising. . (Jimmy S. Firouz, MD, FACS, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

Yes you can exercise after your injection. You should do just fine. I never limit a patient’s activity after a Botox injection and I can say from my own personal experience that exercise immediately after an injection poses minimal to no risk. (Jeffrey R. Raval, MD, FACS, MBA, Denver Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Exercising after Botox

I recommend patients wait 24 hours after having Botox before exercising. Exercising beforehand is fine, but it’s important to avoid anything that might cause the product to migrate; intense heat, wearing a hat, manipulation where product has been injected, things of this nature.

Patients can resume all regular activities 24 hours after treatment. (Scott Gulinson, MD, Glendale OB/GYN)