Can you go for a walk after Botox

As a board-certified dermatologist and BOTOX specialist in Washington, DC, I know just how beneficial exercise is when it comes to anti-aging. If you’re someone who enjoys working out as a way to look and feel younger, you may be curious how integrating cosmetic treatments like BOTOX will affect that part of your routine.

Fortunately, BOTOX is a minimal-downtime treatment, meaning your workout schedule won’t have to change much. However, there are a few facts about post-BOTOX exercise that you should know before your next appointment.

DO: Wait 24 hours before strenuous exercise.

Vigorous exercise increases blood flow throughout your body. That’s why your face may look red and flushed when you give it your all on the treadmill. While blood flow is excellent for skin and your overall health, increased blood flow immediately after BOTOX may contribute to the product’s migration to surrounding areas. This potential migration puts you at increased risk for untoward side effects such as drooping eyebrows and eyelids.

Waiting at least 4 hours for moderate exercise gives the BOTOX time to settle into place so it doesn’t move anywhere it shouldn’t. If you perform hot yoga or engage in strenuous exercise defined as a heart rate over 130, it is recommended that you wait 24 hours after your treatment. Once those 24 hours are up, you are free to jump back into whichever workouts you please.

DON’T: Engage in activities that involve bending down or putting pressure on your head.

While you shouldn’t be hitting the gym immediately after your Botox treatment, you definitely shouldn’t be swimming laps with goggles on, performing any inversions such as head stands, Downward Dogs, or doing any activities that involve tight-fitting headwear.

Pressure on your treated area can move your BOTOX around and increase your chances of bruising. You’ll want to skip your post-workout nap, too: It’s best to avoid lying down for a few hours after your appointment.

DO: Try some facial exercises.

Studies have shown mixed results about whether doing facial exercises makes BOTOX work faster. There is some evidence that suggests it may help your results appear up to a day sooner. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found 68% of participants believed the facial exercises they performed sped the onset of their BOTOX results.  

You certainly don’t need to go overboard with these exercises. However, if you’re dying to get in some reps, the only thing you should be lifting is your eyebrows.

DON’T: Let it throw off the rest of your routine.

One of BOTOX’s many benefits is that it only takes a few minutes and doesn’t involve major downtime. While you may not be able to run a marathon the day of your appointment, you certainly can return to exercising, work, school, and other daily activities.

Gently cover any redness with makeup and you’ll be on your way back from your lunch break without anyone suspecting a thing. The next day, your routine will fully return to normal.

To see examples of the results you can expect once your BOTOX has settled and taken effect, please visit my before-and-after photo gallery.

If you would like to learn more about the best BOTOX tips from a dermatologist in Washington, DC, please contact us online or call (202) 393-7546.

Botox is an injectable form of botulinum toxin that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, help lazy eye, improve neck spasms, and help an overactive bladder. Botox is the brand name for this treatment. Other options that also use botulinum toxin include Dysport, Myobloc, and Xeomin.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox is a neurotoxin that blocks nerve signals. This keeps your muscles from contracting, easing the appearance of wrinkles and preventing new ones from forming.

Can You Exercise After Botox?

After a Botox injection, your cosmetic surgeon or a nurse will advise you on aftercare. You should avoid any exercise for at least 3 hours after treatment.

You can try frowning and raising your eyebrows about an hour after your treatment. These facial exercises aren't necessary, but they may lead to better results.

Other Botox Aftercare Instructions

Don’t get a facial or head massage for a full 24 hours after Botox. You should also avoid rubbing your face in the area that was treated.

Don’t lie down for at least 3 hours after receiving Botox.

Don't go into any saunas, hot tubs, or tanning booths for at least 4 hours. This helps to prevent bruising, because heat can raise your blood pressure.

Otherwise, you can resume your regular activities right after getting Botox.

How to Prepare for Botox

If you plan to get Botox injections, avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours before the procedure. Don’t take blood-thinning medications and ibuprofen. This helps prevent redness and bruising.

How Long Does It Take for Botox to Take Effect?

Botox starts to take effect about 3 days after the injection. The full effect happens about 2 weeks after Botox injections.

How Long Does Botox Last?

Botox lasts 3 to 6 months. After that, your wrinkles may come back. If you were using it to treat another condition like excessive sweating or headaches, the symptoms will also return. 

Once it wears off, you will have to get more Botox injections to get the same results.

What Are the Risks of Getting Botox?

You may have minor side effects after Botox, including headaches, neck pain, or flu-like symptoms. You may have redness, swelling, or bruising at an injection site. You may also get indigestion.

If you notice eye drooping, call your doctor right away. This side effect is temporary, but it’s always best to rule out other conditions.

Also call your doctor if you notice:

  • Blurry vision
  • Urinary tract infection symptoms
  • Trouble breathing
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Trouble talking, especially slurred speech
  • Numbness in your face
  • Paralysis in your face
  • Severe indigestion

Can You Get Botulism from Botox?

Botulism infection from Botox is rare. 

Botulinum exists naturally in soil and on some foods. If you consume too much of it, you can get sick with botulism. The botulinum toxin used for cosmetic purposes has been developed in a lab. It's sterile and diluted so that it won't cause botulism.

What to Expect When Getting Botox

Whether you get a Botox injection at a doctor's office or a medspa, you'll probably go home on the same day. Anesthesia isn’t always necessary, but you might get local anesthesia if you're getting Botox for an overactive bladder. Some practitioners will use topical numbing cream to make the procedure more comfortable. Either way, it's normal to feel a little discomfort or pain when getting Botox injections.

Practitioners who inject Botox for cosmetic purposes know exactly how to target any of the 43 muscles of the face to reduce wrinkles in a specific area. They use a thin needle to give multiple injections. The number of injections depends on the area being treated. You can expect your appointment to take about 15 minutes.

How Much Does Botox Cost?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of botulinum toxin injections is $408. But the price varies, based on where you live, how much product you get, and the experience of the practitioner you visit.

How long after Botox can I go for a walk?

After a Botox injection, your cosmetic surgeon or a nurse will advise you on aftercare. You should avoid any exercise for at least 3 hours after treatment. You can try frowning and raising your eyebrows about an hour after your treatment. These facial exercises aren't necessary, but they may lead to better results.

Can I walk slowly after Botox?

Light exercise after Botox can be performed after 4 hours but it is recommended that strenuous activities are avoided for 24 hours. After 4 hours you may perform light exercise such as: Walking.

Can I walk briskly after Botox?

How long after having BOTOX can you exercise? As a basic rule, patients should avoid any exercising or strenuous activity for at least 24 hours and applying any pressure to the face, like wiping away sweat or wearing goggles while swimming.

Why shouldnt you exercise after Botox?

After a Botox injection, the different proteins will diffuse to the treated area. Increasing blood flow during a heart-pumping workout can metabolize the product before diffusion is complete. This causes a less than effective treatment.