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How Long Do You Sit Still After Botox?

asked 2 years ago by clopes119 in sunrise fl
Latest answer by Isabel Zhu, MD, PhD
Question viewed 9,148 times
Tags: healing

20 answers to How Long Do You Sit Still After Botox?

+2

You don't have to sit still after botox injections anymore

Botox techniques and amounts injected have changed over the years so now we have found that it doesn't make any difference what you do after getting your Botox shots.   
David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

+1

No need to sit still after Botox or Dysport injections

Used to be that we instruct patients not to lie down for 4-6 hours after injections. However, a recent study showed that body position does not matter. What matter are these instrutions: 1) Do not rub the injected areas. Since the injections are placed specific for different muscles, rubbing the areas will cause Botox to diffuse to surrounding muscles. 2) Do make facial expressions that involving the injected areas, which will help speed up the onset of results.
Isabel Zhu, MD, PhD

Boulder Dermatologist
+1

Don't lay down for 4-6 hours after your Botox injections

It’s suggested that you do not lay down for about 4 to 6 hours after your injections. But you should move your facial muscles to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.
Bruce Katz, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Waitng time after Botox

It has been suggested to wait about 4 -6 hours before perfroming any strenous activity after Botox injections. In addition, it is also recommended to not lay flat for the same amount of time.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

No lying down 4 hours after Botox is the accepted time

Generally, it is recommended that patients not lie down for 4 hours but more important is for patients to work the injected muscles for about an hour to help the absorption of Botox into the muscles.
Nissan Pilest, MD

Irvine Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Rest after Botox

Although there are no formal studies proving or disproving this practice, I still recommend to all of my Botox and Dysport patients to stay generally upright and not lay flat or exercise for at least 3-4 hours after treatment. I do recommend that they exercise (i.e. move) the muscles that were injected but other than that physical exertion should be kept to a minimum.
Jason R. Lupton, MD

San Diego Dermatologist
+1

Consensus is 4 hours no activity after Botox

The consensus here is 4 hours of no exercise or bending down. I usually give more of an exact time frame of at least 6 hours, just to be safer. So if I have injected at 10 am than 4 pm is ok for activity.
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sit still after Botox

Despite there having been no formal study involving the movement of Botox as a result of bending over, most physicians insruct their patients not to bend for four hours after the treatment. A few might be limiting this to one hour.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Facial movement after Botox

I do tell my patients not to bend over for four hours (no shoe-shopping or bowling etc.), but I am not sure whether this is necessary. The only study I remember reading was performed two years ago and was published in a dermatology magazine, not really a journal. If I recall, the study was done by a pair of Israeli dermatologists who found that the complication rate was no different whether patients received instructions to avoid lying down, bending over etc. or did not. I think that some... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+1

No movement restrictions after Botox

I don't put any restrictions on my patients after Botox injections. It may be a good idea not to do anything too vigorous like a vigorous workout, but only to minimize any swelling or bruising, but this is minimal anyway.
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Don't exercise or lie on your stomach for 4 hours after your BOTOX Cosmetic treatment.

You should move your facial muscles frequently after your BOTOX treatment. I have my patients perform specific facial exercises the day of their procedure to enhance the effect of BOTOX Cosmetic. I'm not sure this is necessary, but it certainly can't hurt. I allow my patients to exercise with unrestricted activity 4 hours after their BOTOX Cosmetic procedure. I hope this is helpful for you.
Eric M. Joseph, MD

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Get up! Move those facial muscles.

The only thing I tell my patients not to do is lie face down or hang upside-down for at least 6 hours. I think swelling can cause diffusion. On the other hand, the one thing we all KNOW IS IMPORTANT IS TO MOVE THE MUSCLES WE INJECTED!
Mary Lupo, MD

New Orleans Dermatologist
+1

Post Botox injection restrictions

Because there is no concensus on this issue, and no scientific data to support any specific practice, physicians who inject Botox rely on their own logic, recommendations from the manufacturer, or similar practice by peers. As you can see from the answers, you will continue to get a variety of perspectives. I personally do not suggest sitting still, or keeping the head elevated. I ask patients to move the involved muscles for about a half an hour after injection, in order to gently disperse... more
Kevin Robertson, MD

Madison Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.robertsonplasticsurgery.com

+1

Not a bit of truth to sitting still after Botox

Dear Clopes Interstingly, some doctors thought that it was important to move the treated muscles. Now we understand that these restriction make absolutely no difference to the outcome of treatment. In my office, I recommend that patients wait 24 hours before returning to their work out. This stems from an experience I had with a patient who had a BOTOX treatment and immediately did a spin class. She developed a whopper of a black eye (she swears it was the spin class and not the boy friend)... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Lying still for hours after Botox treatment is a wive's tale

I don't believe there is any consensus or scientific basis for telling patients to lie still for a set amount of time after Botox treatment. This goes back to the first "injectors" and concern about spread of Botox. I even know a number of doctors who tell their patients to squeeze their facial muscles to get the Botox to "work into" the muscle. So, what I tell my patients is to skip the gym that day, don't vigorously rub the area, otherwise to go about their normal... more
Steven J. Pearlman, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

You don't need to sit still after Botox

One does not need to sit still after Botox. I ask my patients to exercise the muscles in the area treated for an hour. I suggest they avoid strenuous exercise that day. I also tell them not to touch or manipulate the area for 6 hours after injection. For added security it is advised to sleep on your back on a few pillows the night after injection.
Julia Carroll, MD

Toronto Dermatologist
+1

Botox Recommendations

The official line from Allergan is to avoid lying down for at least 6 hours after injection. However, I advise my patients to exercise their brow muscles via exaggerated expression and to avoid rubbing the area until at least the next morning. I have never recommended limitations on lying down and I have never seen any negative consequences as a result.
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Activity after Botox

In my practice, I don't recommend that patients sit still after Botox but that they avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting that day.  That's about that is necessary all in my opinion to let the Botox set up. 
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recommended Inactivity after Botox

Botox acts by attaching itself to the muscle receptors to which nerves send their signals and interfering with signal transmission and muscle contraction. The attachment of the Botox is rapid. But to prevent Botox from migrating elsewhere it is recommended you NOT lie down or bend over, lift anything heavy or strain and do NOT engage in strenuous activity for 4 hours or so, or rub towards the upper lid for the next 24 hours. There is NO reason though to "sit still" and be immobile... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Activity limitations following injection

There is no definitive answer for this. However, in our practice, I recommend that you refrain from exercise or vigorous manipulation of the area for at least 6 hours after injection. I will be interested to see what other physicians have to say in this regard because this is a common recommendation but I am not sure that there is any scientific basis for this recommendation. The thought is that you do not encourage movement away from the site of injection. WE do have studies that show that... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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