Is it safe to do vigorous exercise 9 hours after Botox?

Question

I have an appointment to get my regular Botox done tomorrow. I usually go about my usual day afterwards, but skip the gym that night. My doc says it’s fine (even for vigorous exercise) after 4 hours, but I’m one of those people that likes to get a second (or third or fourth) opinion. Meanwhile, it just dawned on me that tomorrow is also the day I committed to interview at a gym I’d like to teach at by putting on a cardio bootcamp class. Injections at 8:30am, class at 6pm. Safe?

David M. Lieberman, MD · Answer

After 4 hours the Botox has settled in the muscle. I tell patients to wait 12 hours for vigorous exercise, just to be safe.  If you are conservative I’d suggest moving your Botox appointment for peace of mind.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @aps1031! I would avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours following Botox treatment. Strenuous activity after your Botox treatment can cause the product to move and may affect your final results. Best of luck to you!

Monica Boen, MD · Answer

Hello and thanks for the question. In most cases, four hours is sufficient time to wait before engaging in vigorous exercise after Botox. I agree with your doctor that you should be ready for your classes by that evening. Good luck to you!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Typically it's recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours after your Botox treatment.  This is to prevent potential migration.  If you are someone who likes to be extra conservative you will want to reschedule either your treatment or your interview.

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question aps1031. 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.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 recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for 24 hours after a Botox treatment.
Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

James R. Koehler, MD · Answer

Great question, thanks for asking. Most physicians will recommend that you avoid very strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours after getting BOTOX. The main concern is that strenuous exercise soon after your injections could cause the product to move and may affect your final results. It may also increase the risk of bruising. Talk with your provider about your specific situation. Perhaps you could reschedule your BOTOX appointment for after the gym interview? Best of luck.

Dennis Gross, MD · Answer

I always tell my patients to wait a full 24 hours after Botox before exercising. Botox® and Dysport® are FDA-approved injectables that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and dynamic wrinkles by causing them to relax and soften.

Kapil Saigal, MD, FACS · Answer

In our practice we recommend head elevation and no vigorous exercise for 24 hours following injections of botox. Be sure to discuss this with your injector. Be sure to trust your face to a specialist and best of luck to you.

Rakhesh Guttikonda, DO · Answer

To be on the safe side I would exercise before your Botox appointment. I always recommend patients take the remainder of the day off from exercising after their Botox treatment and no lying down until 4 hours after their injection has passed.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Botox is a fabulous procedure and I agree with the other physicians that four hours is sufficient. However, if you are concerned since the exercise is so rigorous I would wait 24 hours after your injections. Best, Dr. Green

Is it safe to do vigorous exercise 9 hours after Botox?

Answers (17)

More Botox Questions

Botox uneven brow arch -how to fix? (photo)

Botox lip flip - Is it too early to tell yet and will I still see these negative effects?

I had 52 units of Botox and three days later I still have full movement. What do you think is happening?

I had Botox and Juvederm on Friday. It is now Sunday & need antibiotics for UTI.

Botox or under eye fillers for wrinkles under the eyes?

How long should I wait after having Bell’s palsy to start injecting my face with Botox and fillers?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS