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can steam bath and sauna damage the effects of botox?

asked 1 year ago by hearty in Philippines
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 1,750 times
Tags: female, longevity, sauna

Two of my dermatologists say that steam bath and sauna can damage the effect of botox, while the 3rd derma said that there's no truth to that. Kindly enlighten me. thanks - Hearty

21 answers to can steam bath and sauna damage the effects of botox?

+2

Steam Baths/Sauna will make the injection sites slightly red the day of the injections.

Heat from the steam baths/ sauna will make the injections sites slightly red or inflamed the day of the shots but nothing the following day or later and won't affect the results of the botox or Dysport.  If you had the botox shots a few days previous then you have no worries.
David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

+1

Steam bath or sauna after Botox Cosmetic should not affect results

Hi hearty in Philippines, Sauna or steam baths should not affect results of Botox Cosmetic for facial wrinkles. The most important thing to consider is to avoid rubbing treated areas for the first 24 hours after treatment. Most plastic surgeons, dermatologist, and Botox specialist would recommend, however, to avoid the sauna the first 24 hours after treatment. Best of luck. Dr. Chaboki
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Steam and Sauna after Botox

After the first 24 hours, steam and sauna will not interfer with the effects of Botox. I'm being conservative because I've never heard that heat will affect Botox at any time after injection. 
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saunas Affecting Botox

My vote is that there is no effect from steam baths or saunas on your Botox treatments. Rumors start in mysterious ways and, when they circulate widely enough, they seem to almost become fact! Like the story about the poodle that exploded in the microwave oven.
Mitchell Schwartz, MD

South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

+1

Is It Normal to Feel the Edge of the Implant?

My vote is no effect. As your survey continues we will see the final results after you reach 20 posters. 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox and sauna or steam

Once Botox has set within a few hours, it is probably OK to take  sauna or steam.  I would wait at least 24 hours just to be safe.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Neither steam nor saunas have any effect on the longevity of botox.

Neither steam nor saunas have any effect on the longevity of botox. Once the botox blocks the nerve plate in the muscle it is inactive for about 3 motnhs or longer.
Edward Lack, MD

Chicago Dermatologist
+1

No effect!

Steam, sauna will not have any effect on your Botox. Frankly, I am always curious how these myths become folklore. I am embarrassed that 2 dermatologists gave you such incorrect advice.
Mary Lupo, MD

New Orleans Dermatologist
+1

Botox results should not be effected

Botox won't be effected by a hot steam bath or sauna. I think the logic behind it is that Botox is supposed to be refrigerated until used, and therefore if it gets hot, it won't work. Well once Botox is injected, it becomes body temperature or 98.6 degrees, and yet it works just fine. Don't worry about a sauna, steam bath, or hot tub, it won't effect your Botox. Andrew C. Campbell, M.D. Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Andrew Campbell, MD

Milwaukee Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.campbellplastics.com

+1

Suana and Botox

Hi hearty- I know of no problems with steam baths or a sauna  causing a problem with the effectiveness of Botox. Sincerely, Tom Kaniff
Thomas E. Kaniff, MD

Sacramento Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

No truth to this.

Hearty Sauna or Steaming will not affect your treatment.  Sometimes doctors give advice that is off the cuff and not always based on science.  There are looking to be conservative and telling someone not to do something represents conservative advice.  Because your skin has been poked by needles, we generally advise people not to engage in strenuous activity for 24 hours.  I have had a couple of patients who definitely made post-procedure bruising much worse by being... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Botox and saunas or steam baths

There is no medical evidence of which I am aware that has proven that Botox's effect is affected by exogenous heat once it is in the body.  Botox should not be subjected to heat prior to mixing it, but once it's diluted and injected into your skin, your body maintains its temperature well enough and the Botox becomes incorporated in its tissues so that it is doubtful heat would damage it then.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Steam bath or sauna after Botox treatment

A steam bath or sauna after a Botox treatment should be fine. I would avoid a procedure such as a facial or face massage for 24 hours but otherwise no other restrictions.
Dina D. Strachan, MD

New York Dermatologist
+1

Steam Bath after Botox

There are many "recommendations" after Botox, but not of them really make sense.  Except for the time immediately after injection, my feeling is that none of the recommendations really matter.  After the first couple of hours, you can likely do whatever you want and it will not affect the Botox once it is absorbed by the receptors in the body.  Immediately after injection, just leave the areas alone and let the Botox absorb.  Anything that increases blood flow... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Steam bath effect on Botox

There are some standard post care instructions after Botox injections. They include no heavy excersice for 24 hours, mostly becuase you do not want to have a flushed face. By dialating those vessels you can potentially flush the product away from the muscles in your face and into other areas of your body. That is the only reason you may want to avoid a sauna/ steam bath the day of your injections.
Phillip Chang, MD

Leesburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

Steam bath will not "damage the effect" of Botox

Not sure why your dermatologists said that steam baths can ruin the effects of Botox. They may have suggested you not have a sauna or steam bath immediately after getting injected, which would dilate your blood vessels and possibly cause migration of the product.  For the same reason, I ask my patients not to exercise immediately after injection.
Theda C. Kontis, MD

Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon

facialplasticsurgerymd.com

+1

Steam baths and saunas don't have any effect on Botox

My only recommendation is that you don't go into a steam bath or sauna immediately after injections.  Other than that, you should be fine.
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Steam bath or sauna has no effect on Botox

No, a steam bath or sauna will not effect yoru Botox.  I do however, recommend against steam bath or sauna for 24 hours after injection because of irritation and sensitivity at the injection sites. You have had multiple small needle sticks in order to get the Botox into your muscle that can be irritated with heat and steam.  From the other responses, you can see that many of these old myths are not based in fact - you can put your head down, you can fly on a plane, you can go... more
Matthew Schulman, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Steam and Botox

Botox must be kept refrigerated after it is reconstituted.  Once it is in you, I can't imagine that a steam bath will affect it.  Of course if your body temperature were to rise to near that of steam, botox would be the least of your problems.
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox and saunas

There is no reason to believe that Botox is effected by saunas.  The heat of your body does not deactivate the product once it is injected. The heat from a sauna should not as well. The difference of opinion between your 3 dermatologists may just be anecdotal since I am unaware of any studies showing ill effects of heat or saunas on patients treated with Botox .
Shawn Allen, MD

Boulder Dermatologist
+1

Feel free to go in a sauna after Botox injection

When Botox is injected it quickly binds to the nerves and is attached permanently.    Over several months, new nerves grow and the effect wears off. A steam bath or sauna will not have any effect on this process. In other words steam baths and saunas do not effect Botox.  However, heat does dilate your blood vessels.  If you go in a sauna or steam bath immediately after an injection, you are more likely to bruise.  So, I would avoid the heat... more
Marc Cohen, MD

Philadelphia Oculoplastic Surgeon

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