Will tensing/wrinkling injected facial muscles soon after Botox or Dysport administration cause migration to unintended areas?

Question

Some doctors say you should purposely tense/wrinkle the injected facial muscles soon after injections to further work the Botox or Dysport into the muscles. I’ve also heard that the day your Botox is done, its particularly susceptible to migration and that you need to be extra careful. Soon after injections, does purposely tensing/wrinkling (without using your hands) your injected facial muscles cause an increased risk for Botox or Dysport migration to unintended areas? Is it safe to try?

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I do not believe that tensing or wrinkling the facial muscles treated with Botox or Dysport will cause migration of the product to unintended areas.  I also do not believe that tensing or wrinkling those muscles affects the results in any way.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

There is no research out there stating that if you tense your muscles following a botox injection that it will make it work more effectively. In addition, ,you don't have to worry about the product migrating. However, for 4 hours post injection i would avoid rubbing and touching the area tanning and saunas.

Benjamin J. Cousins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, and I am not aware that by forceably or actively using these muscles will there be any effect one way or the other.  Using these recently injected muscles will not cause it to migrate or make it act faster. Botox will typically begin to "kick in" after 4-7 days, but some may see results earlier. The full effect is usually seen after 7-10 days so two weeks after your injections is a great time for a follow-up with your injector if you are not getting the results you desire. Additional injections may be given at 2 weeks if more correction is desired/needed. Botox  typically lasts 3 months, and after that it begins to slowly wear off. I tell my patients not to rub the treatment areas or lie down for 4-6 hours after injections to be safe.
  
Dr. Benjamin J. Cousins MD
  
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

George Ibrahim, MD · Answer

Some providers tell their patients to "move" the muscles injected with neurotoxins.  There isn't any real research as to whether or not this "distributes" the materials outside of the intended area or not.  We tell patients to not "exaggerate" their facial expressions, on the theory that we know where we placed the toxin and we'd like it to stay where we injected it.  So, this really isn't a true answer to your question but may explain why you hear different things by different providers.

Jessica H. Kim, MD, FAAD · Answer

As long as you do not massage directly over the treated areas immediately after treatment, there is very little risk of migration.  And there is no evidence that actively contracting the treated muscles makes botox or dysport work faster or better.

Will tensing/wrinkling injected facial muscles soon after Botox or Dysport administration cause migration to unintended areas?

Answers (9)

Answer: Tensing may/may not distribute the toxins

Answer: Tensing may/may not distribute the toxins

Answer: Botox Migration

Answer: Botox Migration

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Will tensing/wrinkling injected facial muscles soon after Botox or Dysport administration cause migration to unintended areas?

Answers (9)

Answer: Tensing may/may not distribute the toxins

Answer: Tensing may/may not distribute the toxins

Answer: Botox Migration

Answer: Botox Migration

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.