Can You Workout After Botox?
Essential Timing & Tips for a Safe Routine
Botox is a very popular cosmetic procedure to smooth skin and rejuvenate the face. One of the most common questions our Botox patients ask us at The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City is: “Can you workout after Botox?” or “How soon can I resume my daily activities?” Well, you’re in the right place to find out.
- Botox temporarily paralyzes muscles to reduce wrinkles, and post-treatment care is important for optimal results.
- It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after receiving Botox before resuming exercise, with light walking and gentle movement being great choices during the recovery phase.
- Dr. Arash Akhavan can give you personalized guidance regarding safe exercises following Botox treatment in order to avoid potential risks such as swelling or bruising, or more serious complications such as drooping of the eyelids.
Understanding Botox and Its Effects on Muscles
Botox is a medication, botulinum toxin type A, which temporarily relaxes muscles to reduce wrinkles and treat certain medical conditions. It is commonly injected in the forehead, around the eyes (crow’s feet), and between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), and has received FDA approval for managing moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines, among other conditions.
Following a Botox treatment, your regular facial expressions will persist, but the injected muscles will experience temporary relaxing due to the Botox injection, leading to reduced muscle activity in those specific areas and resulting in the smoothing of wrinkles.
At The Dermatology and Laser Group, Dr. Arash Akhavan precisely maps out the muscles of your face and the injection points we are targeting prior to Botox injections. For optimal efficacy and safety, Botox must stay exactly where we want it to be. That is the main reason why following post-injection instructions is important.
Keep in mind that post-treatment care mandates avoiding pressure application or rubbing the injection sites and steering clear of intense exercise for at least 24 hours. We also recommend avoiding makeup application at the injection site. for 4 hours. Finally, we recommend not lying down face down or on your side for at least 4 hours after your appointment.
The Immediate Post-Botox Period: Activity Recommendations
What steps should you follow immediately post-Botox? Refraining from exercise right after the procedure is key. This is because increased blood flow and pressure from physical exertion could potentially result in the migration of the Botox, causing temporary muscle weakness, paralysis of adjacent muscles, and potential side effects such as drooping eyebrows or eyelids.
To mitigate the risk of complications, you should also avoid activities that can increase blood flow, raise blood pressure, or put pressure on the injected areas. This includes:
- Staying away from hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms
- Exercises causing excessive sweating
- Strenuous facial exercises
- Yoga positions with inversions like downward dog
- focus on avoiding strenuous exercise and avoid these activities for at least 24 hours.
When Is It Safe to Resume Exercise After Botox?
Resuming strenuous exercise after Botox should be done gradually. It’s recommended to wait a minimum of 24 hours after receiving Botox before starting any exercise regimen. This initial rest period is indispensable for the proper settling of Botox in the facial muscles.
While it might be tempting to get exercising immediately jump back into your regular routine, certain types of exercise should be avoided after receiving Botox. This includes strenuous exercise such as cardio, strength training, and activities where your head is below your heart. Engaging in these exercises can elevate the risk of Botox migration and other potential complications.
Light Walking and Gentle Movement
On the day of Botox Cosmetic injections, it is safe to engage in some light exercises after the initial 4-hour period. Some examples of light exercises include things such as gentle walking and upright stretching. These activities are considered generally safe and will not significantly increase blood flow to the treated areas. It is very important to make sure you are not face down at any point during the initial recovery period.
Gradual Return to Regular Workouts
As stated, resuming your regular workout routine should be done gradually. Begin with light to moderate physical activities, such as walking, on the first day. It’s advisable to wait at least 24 hours after the Botox cosmetic procedure before returning to your regular aerobic exercise and routine.
Consulting Your Doctor for Personalized Advice
At The Dermatology and Laser Group, Dr. Arash Akhavan has been safely injecting patients with Botox for over 15 years. Seeking personalized advice from us about the safe resumption of exercise after Botox is always a great idea. If you have a specific question about an activity please ask! Vigorous exercise will always need to be avoided for the first 24 hours post-treatment, however.
Potential Risks of Exercising Too Soon
Jumping back into your workout routine too soon after Botox can lead to complications. Engaging in physical activity with too much movement too soon can result in swelling, bruising, and unintended movement of the injected substance, which could potentially lead to temporary paralysis of adjacent muscles. This may manifest clinically as side effects like drooping eyebrows and eyelids.
This migration of Botox into surrounding muscles is the most dreaded adverse event following Botox appointments.
Dr. Arash Akhavan’s Expertise and Approach to Post-Botox Care
Dr. Arash Akhavan’s approach to post-Botox care stresses the importance of achieving natural results, and ensuring patient satisfaction through a tailored treatment experience. By customizing the treatment according to each individual’s specific requirements and objectives we are able to provide our patients with natural-looking rejuvenation that is done with safety in mind.
Why Choose The Dermatology and Laser Group for Botox Treatments
Under the leadership of Dr. Arash Akhavan, The Dermatology and Laser Group provides the best Botox treatments in New York City. Dr. Akhavan’s substantial expertise in Botox and the use of well-established techniques ensure optimal results. Dr. Arash Akhavan is an Allergan Medical Institute (AMI) Faculty member and The Dermatology and Laser Group is an Allergan Platinum account.
The Dermatology and Laser Group offers personalized care, with patient safety and satisfaction as a priority, ensuring a successful treatment experience. We have a commitment to achieving a natural appearance and substantial enhancement of facial lines, guaranteeing a high level of patient satisfaction.
Signature Treatments and Patient Satisfaction
The Dermatology and Laser Group offers a wide array of signature cosmetic treatments in addition to Botox treatment, including:
- Modern laser treatments and devices, such as Laser Skin Tightening procedures
- The newest and most advanced treatments tailored to address facial wrinkles and fine lines, such as Skinvive, an injectable skin booster.
- Innovative treatments such as Masseter Botox for jawline slimming.
For ensuring patient satisfaction, the group offers personalized care, tailored to meet the unique needs of every patient. Under the leadership of Dr. Akhavan, the team ensures that every treatment results in a natural appearance and substantial enhancement of facial lines, thereby ensuring a high level of patient satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after Botox can I exercise?
It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after Botox treatment to engage in any kind of exercise, including weight lifting hot yoga, or running. Refraining from strenuous exercise for 24 hours is best, as increased circulation may cause the BOTOX to move somewhere it shouldn’t.
What happens if I sweat after Botox?
To prevent Botox migration, it is recommended to avoid excessive sweating and hot environments for at least 24 hours following the injection.
What else should you not do after Botox?
It is important to avoid laying face down or putting any pressure on the Botox injection sites for at least 4 hours after treatment.
How long after Botox can you shower?
It’s advisable to wait at least four hours before showering after a Botox treatment, and hot showers or baths should be avoided for the first 24 hours.
What exercises can I do after Botox?
You can safely engage in gentle walking and upright stretching, without bending face down for at least 24 hours after Botox.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.
By Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD | | Categories: Surgical Dermatology
