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How Long After Botox Can I Go to a Sauna?

I recently got a botox treatment for my masseter muscle. Then I did bikram yoga 4 days after. Bikram is hot yoga and is basially like a sauna. My doctor didn't tell me to avoid the heat, I just read up on it now...I'm worried I might have lessened it's effectivity. A bikram class gets pretty hot and lasts 90 minutes. What should I do? Should I get a touch up or something? Is the botox really less effective now for me? Any guidance would be great

Doctor Answers 23

It will be okay

January 31st, 2011
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After receiving Botox injections, it is just fine to be in sauna like temperatures the next day.

S. Ozan Sozer, MD

Avoid exercise for four hours after Botox

January 31st, 2011
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I instruct my patients to avoid any heavy exercise and massaging the treatment area for four hours after Botox.  This is because of the theoretical potential for Botox to migrate to other muscles immediately after injection.  If this happens, you may get unintented effects such as eyelid drooping.  After 3-4 hrs, Botox has been completely bound to the receptors so there is no risk for further migration.  

So, after 3-4 DAYS, there is no risk with yoga or any other exercise.

Best,

Dr. Mann

Margaret Mann, MD

Margaret Mann, MD
Cleveland Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 1 review

Sauna after Botox

January 26th, 2011
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I encourage my clients to not engage in rigorous activity, massage the areas or lay down for 4 hours post treatment.  Theoretically, Botox binds to the receptor site within 90 minutes.  So to go into a sauna 4 days later is perfectly fine.  

David V. Poole, MD

David V. Poole, MD
Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 13 reviews

Botox and Sauna

January 26th, 2011
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There is no problem going to the sauna one day after having had Botox injections. You will be completely fine

Robert Kasten, MD

Robert Kasten, MD
Mainz Dermatologic Surgeon

Yoga after Botox

January 25th, 2011
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I usually suggest to patients to avoid exertional acitivty for about 3-4 hours after Botox injections. Doing yoga four days later should be fine.

Web reference: http://www.stevenwallachmd.com

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Yoga after BOTOX

January 24th, 2011
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Don't worry.  Your exercise in a sauna should not decrease the efficacy of Botox.  I usually tell patients to avoid exercising or lying flat for 3-4 hours after Botox administration.  Your yoga after 4 days should not decrease the effect of Botox.  No need for touch up?

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS

You may use a sauna a few days after Botox injections

January 24th, 2011
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There has been no evidence that heat from a sauna will interfere with Botox injections several days after the procedure. Exercise is permitted within  several hours after the procedure by most doctors.

Ronald Shelton, MD

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

Yoga After Botox?

January 24th, 2011
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Hi Sydney.  We ask our patients to avoid heavy exercise for several hours after Botox injections.  The reason is that strenuous exercise can increase blood flow and (potentially) cause Botox to migrate.  

If you went to Yoga class 4 days after your injections it will not affect your results.

Web reference: http://www.celibre.com/what-is-botox.aspx

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.5 out of 5 stars 8 reviews

Sauna OK after Botox

January 23rd, 2011
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An hour after your Botox treatment, you can do most anything. The injection is placed in the muscle which is much deeper than the skin and sweat glands. I don't think you have much to worry about.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 61 reviews

Sauna 4 days after Botox is not a problem.

January 21st, 2011
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Since Botox irreversibly binds to the receptors that control neuromuscular function in the injected areas, by 4 days, most if not all of the Botox molecules are already bound to the target receptors (even though the total effect of Botox may not be completely evident for up to two weeks). Your body is 98.6 degrees, and even in a hot sauna your body tissues will be thermoregulated to that temperature except on the surface, so the Botox molecules are in an essentially unchanged environment.

You shouldn't need any additional Botox unless you see a definite difference compared to what you normally see. Relax and Om!

Web reference: http://www.mpsmn.com/html/other-face-procedures.html

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 236 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.