Is it safe to drink alcohol after Botox injections?

Question

Hi, I’m schedule to have Some botox injection on Saturday afternoon but also have a friend birthday in the evening. I’m wondering if it’s safe to drink alcohol or if this might affect the result.

Nirmal Nathan, MD · Answer

Everyone has different protocols after Botox injections. In my practice, I restrict massage and exercise for 24 hours after Botox injections, so that the Botox does not move into an area outside where I injected. 
I do not restrict alcohol intake after Botox, but you really should ask the person who injected you.

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

In my practice, we do not restrict patients from drinking after Botox injections.  Typically post treatment protocol includes to not lie down up to 4 hours and no exercise for 24 hours. Dr. Solomon

Frank Lista, MD · Answer

Our patients are not restricted from drinking alcohol following Botox. We advise patients not to lie down following treatment for 4 hours and to avoid exercise for 24 hours. Alcohol does tend to exacerbate bleeding and swelling but this would only be a concern if you are having dermal fillers as well. We encourage our patients to abstain from using products such as alcohol, green tea, ibuprofen, to name a few, for a few days before and after fillers to avoid excessive bleeding as these items have anti-inflammatory properties.You should see results on your Botox after 7 days.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I don't restrict my neuromodulation patients on any drinking since the needle is so small for injection.  Alcohol and botox do not interact at all. It will take 1-2 weeks for final results. Best, Dr. Emer.

Mark Kearns, MBChB, BSc, FRACGP · Answer

Its not known to be harmful. Some people think it thins the blood a little and can dilate the blood vessels on the surface of the skin making bruising more likely - this wont harm you but its something to keep in mind.

Eric T. Carniol, MD · Answer

After botox injection, the protein has to be taken up by the desired nerves in order to work. The exact timeline of how fast this takes place is still up for debate. Working out after botox dilates the blood vessels and can either cause the botox to get absorbed in the blood stream (in which the desired effect is lost) or cause the botox to spread to nearby areas. Since the most popular site of botox is in the glabella (the "11 lines") or to raise the brow, this potentially increases the risk of drooping of the eyelid after. Alcohol similarly dilates blood vessels, which is why you feel warm after drinking, as well as acting as a blood thinner. 
Speak to your doctor about this but likely to be safest and maximize your botox results, you may minimize the alcohol for 1 night and then enjoy your botox for the next few months!

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question. 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.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 as described above. 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.Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Vibha Gambhir, MD · Answer

Hi. Drinking alcohol will not have any impact on the efficacy of Botox. However, some providers ask you to avoid excess alcohol a few days post treatment as alcohol can thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising, but this is still a small risk. In general the instructions for aftercare include you not exercise vigorously, do not rub or massage the area, or lay down flat for 2 hours post procedure so that the Botox does not move into an area outside of the injected area. Hope this information was helpful!

Anna Sylwestrowicz, MD, FRCP(C) · Answer

You can have alcohol, in moderation, after a Botox treatment.
I would advise against getting "plastered", falling flat on your face and then passing out, as Botox can migrate if you are sleeping on your face (or on a massage table) within 72 hours of your treatment.
Dr. Anna Sylwestrowicz MD, FRCP(C)
Victoria, BC

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

You're perfectly safe to have your Botox treatment followed by a party with your friends. Good luck from New York City

Is it safe to drink alcohol after Botox injections?

Answers (11)

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