If I have botox then go on holiday two days later, will the sudden extreme sun exposure have adverse effects on the botox area?

Question

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

The answer is no, sun has no effect on Botox treatments.  However, you should avoid prolonged direct sunlight, especially extreme sun exposure that puts you at risk for burns, as this can increase the risk of skin cancer and photoaging.  I wish you the best of luck, Dr. Emer.

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question Ash10. I understand your concern. Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression. When injected into the skin Botox will relax the muscles and smoothen out the overlying wrinkles. The most common areas of treatment are in the upper face. These include the horizontal lines seen on the upper forehead when one raises the brows, the vertical lines seen between the brows when one frowns (frown lines), and the crow's feet seen around the eyes when one smiles.
It is difficult to make an assessment without a formal exam where the entire medical history is reviewed. However, I hope the information provided here is useful.The safety record of Botox is well established. The product has been used for over 20 years for a variety of treatments with minimal side effects. Botox is amongst the safest treatments for treating facial wrinkles.
  
While Botox is one of the safest treatments offered, there are some situations where it is not appropriate. These include anyone who has an allergy to any of the inactive ingredients or who has had an allergic reaction to any botulinum product including Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, or Myobloc. The safety and efficacy of Botox has not been established in women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding. Therefore, women in these categories are advised to wait until breast feeding is completed prior to having a Botox treatment. Botox should not be placed in the skin on the site of an infection. Those who are taking an aminoglycoside antibiotic, an anesthetic, D-penicillamine, antimalarials, or immunosuppressants should not be treated, nor should those who have undergone chemotherapy within the previous six months. It is important to avoid blood thinners before and after a treatment. These include both prescription and non-prescription medications such as warfarin (coumadin), aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, fish oil, vitamin E, and ginko biloba. Those with conditions that affect muscles and nerves such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome should not undergo Botox treatments.With any injection, there are risks such as pain, bleeding, bruising, redness, swelling, tenderness, and infection. We take special precautions to minimize these risks such as using a painless technique. We also treat bruises with a laser as early as the next day. Bruises usually resolve within two weeks if untreated. After a laser treatment bruises usually resolve in 1-3 days, but may still take two weeks for full resolution. In addition to these risks, with Botox there is also a risk that the product spreads or diffuses to nearby structures. Spread to nearby muscles can lead to side effects such as the temporary appearance of droopy eyelids or a temporary asymmetric smile.
  
After a Botox treatment, I recommend that my patients avoid heat exposure, alcohol consumption, and strenuous exercise for 24 hours and not lie down flat for four hours. This is because all of these activities may possibly lead to the movement of the product and consequent side effects such as droopy eyelids. Although there have been no definitive studies shown that these actually occur and some physicians do not provide such aftercare instructions, in the absence of data I err on the side of caution and recommend that my patients avoid such activities.
  If I had a patient with the concern described here I would say not to worry about having the heat affect the results of the Botox treatment.
Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Botox is an injection and the sun has no effect on it at all.  Lasers and chemical peels can make you photosensitive and you will need to limit sun exposure after these procedures.  The sun of course causes more wrinkles so good sun safety is important to prevent future wrinkles!

Parham Ganchi, PhD, MD · Answer

Sun exposure should not affect your Botox injections.  Botox is injected under the skin into the muscles that wrinkle the skin.  Sun exposure doesn't go that deep.  However, make sure to use sun protection so that you keep your skin healthy and youthful!Dr. Parham Ganchi - NJ Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Shapiro, MD · Answer

The sun will not affect the results of your Botox injections. It is always a good idea to wear skin protection out in the sun to prevent skin damage, however.

If I have botox then go on holiday two days later, will the sudden extreme sun exposure have adverse effects on the botox area?

Answers (10)

Answer: Botox and Sun Exposure

Answer: Botox and Sun Exposure

Answer: If I have botox then go on holiday two days later, will the sudden extreme sun exposure have adverse effects on the botox area?

Answer: If I have botox then go on holiday two days later, will the sudden extreme sun exposure have adverse effects on the botox area?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

If I have botox then go on holiday two days later, will the sudden extreme sun exposure have adverse effects on the botox area?

Answers (10)

Answer: Botox and Sun Exposure

Answer: Botox and Sun Exposure

Answer: If I have botox then go on holiday two days later, will the sudden extreme sun exposure have adverse effects on the botox area?

Answer: If I have botox then go on holiday two days later, will the sudden extreme sun exposure have adverse effects on the botox area?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.