3 Weeks After Receiving Botox, when Can I Massage my Face?

Question

I had Botox 3 weeks ago and like the results. I am still a little nervous, though, when I inadvertently rub my face. When can I safely massage or rub my face (as in a facial) and secondly, when can I assume I am safe from a drooping eyelid?

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

At three months after Botox you certainly need not be concerned about any drooping. The botox becomes bound to the needed sites within the day of injection. We limit positional changes and exercise for four hours, which has not even been proven to be necessary, but at one, two and certainly, three months, there will be no risk to moving the botox around by massaging your face.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Sandy.  Not to worry.  The only precaution we suggest is for several hours after the injections, do not get a massage or manipulate the face in any way.  This is only a precaution as Botox binds to the muscle at the injection point very quickly.

	3 weeks later it's fine to massage away.  Start as early as the day after your injections.

Monika Kiripolsky, MD · Answer

Hi Sandy,
   Even though the full effects of Botox take anywhere from approximately three to five days for you to notice an improvement in your wrinkles, the Botox is completely taken up by its target (within the junction between your nerves and the muscles that they stimulate) within an hour of injection. So, I would avoid massaging the area, vigorous exercise, and/or lying down for the hour immediately following your Botox injections. Anything (including a facial and/or facial massage) after that hour should be completely fine.
    Enjoy your Botox (and your facial)!

Kenneth Dembny, II, MD · Answer

Three weeks following Botox Cosmetic treatment you certainly can rub or massage your face without any concerns for an adverse result.

	The concern about facial massage after Botox Cosmetic treatment has to do with the binding and uptake of the toxin molecule, and not about when the maximum paralysis is visible.

	Botox binds to the presynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction and is transported into the cell by endocytosis probably within about 1 hour of injection.

	I recommend that patients not rub vigorously or massage over the areas of treatment for about 4-6 hours. I also ask that they remain upright, avoid lying down, and refrain from strenuous activity for the same period of time. That means that you should be able to rub your face or have a facial the day following your Botox Cosmetic treatment.

	The full visible effect of the Botox Cosmetic treatment will not be visible for about 7 days afterward.

	Best wishes, Kenneth Dembny

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

It is now safe to get your message.  Nothing you do will have any bearing on the treatment you had 3 weeks ago.

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

I think you are out of the woods at 3 weeks!  Full effect is usually noticed by 10-14 days, and the risk of the toxin spreading at this point is minimal .   Enjoy your results :)

Jason D. Bloom, MD, FACS · Answer

It is safe that this point (3wks) to undergo procedures on the face like facials or massages. We usually have patients wait about 1 week to do these things, but the Botox should be in full effect at this point and you are out of the woods for an eyelid droop, if things look good.

Anatoli Freiman, MD · Answer

Three weeks after Botox treatment, there is no issue with facial massage as Botox has bound to the appropriate facial muscles.

Paul Carniol, MD · Answer

If you're three weeks after Botox injection you can perform all of your usual activities including massaging your face.

Richie L. Lin, MD · Answer

Botox is almost completely absorbed by the target nerve/muscle within one hour. I recommend that my patients not massage the area for 3 or 4 hours, which errs on the safe side. Relax, and feel free to resume your normal activities!

3 Weeks After Receiving Botox, when Can I Massage my Face?

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