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Can Botox Be Damaged by Massage?

i received botox in my forehead about 5 days ago for the very first time. today i was getting a manicure, and the manicurist took it upon herself to give me a quick massage - including my forehead. strange and annoying . . . now i'm paranoid that she could have screwed up my botox. is there any risk? will it lessen the effectiveness?

Doctor Answers 25

February 22nd, 2015

No damage to Botox

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Since it's been so many days after your treatment, the Botox was already absorbed adequately into the correct muscles. 
Jerome Edelstein, MD
September 8th, 2012

Botox and massage after 5 days

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A forehead massage 5 days after receiving Botox injections would have no effect on the effectiveness of your treatment.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC
Toronto Dermatologist

April 22nd, 2011

Botox and massage

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Five days is rather late for a massage to cause botox to migrate or dislodge.   However, its not impossible.  I would avoid vigorous massages in any area that has had botox teatment for at least the first couple of weeks.

Vincent D. Lepore, MD

Vincent D. Lepore, MD
San Jose Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 63 reviews

August 9th, 2017

Botox Won't Be Affected by Massage After 24 Hours

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 Botox shouldn't be affected by massage so many days after administration, as it is usually taken up by the muscle within several hours. Just to be safe, we recommend refraining from massage or vigorous exercise for 24 hours. However, after that you should be fine. Please consult a board-certified dermatologist who is an expert in Botox administration.

Learn more: http://www.mi-skin.com/botox/

Melda A. Isaac, MD

Melda A. Isaac, MD
Washington DC Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 6 reviews

December 6th, 2016

Avoid Massage After Botox

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For the first day or so after receiving Botox, I'd advise avoiding massage or strenuous exercise. However, 5 days later a massage should have no effect on your results. Please consult a board-certified dermatologist for your follow-up treatments with Botox.

Learn more: https://kitagawadermatology.com/botox/

Kory Kitagawa, MD

Kory Kitagawa, MD
Honolulu Dermatologist
5.0 out of 5 stars 2 reviews

February 5th, 2011

Massaging areas that have been injected with Botulinum toxin (Dysport and Botox)

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Massage 5 days after the injections should not have an effect on the distribution of the botulinum toxin results. This is only of concern in the immediate post-injection period.

Learn more: http://www.bodysculptor.com/skin-procedures-chicago/injectables/botox/

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 86 reviews

February 1st, 2011

BOTOX® is mostly taken up or washed away in the first hour or two after treatment

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BOTOX® [and other fomulations of BTX-A, for example Dysport®] are mostly absorbed by nerve ending on the treated tissues [muscles or sweat glands] within the first hour or two after treatment. Just about all of the BOTOX® that is not taken up during that time is washed away by the natural circulation in the treated area.

BOTTOM LINE: when I get treated with BOTOX®, I am careful not to rub the treated area for ONE HOUR after treatment, so that I do not move the BOTOX® out of the treated area, or accidentally move it INTO some place were I do not want it [for example, moving it down out of my lower forehead into the muscle that lifts my upper eyelid].

That is the same advice I have been giving my patients for the past ten years [about 11,500 treatment sessions], and it has worked out well -- "Leave it alone for the first hour, and after that there are no restrictions at all. This evening you will be completely kissable!"

Kevin C. Smith, MD
Niagara Falls Dermatologic Surgeon

January 11th, 2011

BOTOX can’t be damaged by massage

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BOTOX can’t be damaged by massage. I do advise that you don’t massage or manipulate your face for many hours. If the BOTOX is very dilute (meaning it is mixed with a lot of water), it is possible it could migrate. But 5 days later, the BOTOX has been absorbed. So, any issues you see are probably just a result of the treatment.

Learn more: http://www.chelseaeye.com

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD, FACS

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD, FACS
New York Oculoplastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 68 reviews

January 4th, 2011

5 days post Botox

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Five days after Botox injection you need not be concerned about the effect of the facial massage.  The day you have you Botox done no massaging of the area should be done including facials and microdermabrasion.

Lisa Kates, MD
Annapolis Dermatologist

January 1st, 2011

Will Botox be Affected by Facial Massage?

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Hi 98104.  The after care instructions we give for Botox injections to not go past the first day, so anything that happens on the 5th day after Botox injections should not affect your results.

Learn more: http://www.celibre.com/botox.aspx

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.4 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.