Are there any adverse effects/interactions using Botox and Minoxidil simultaneously?

Question

I have been getting Botox injections (approx 25 units) every 8 months. Approximately 5 months ago I started using Minoxidil 2% once daily on my eyebrow area (and I'm just starting to see results). I am due to get Botox in the forehead/glabellar area in 6 weeks. Should I discontinue the Minoxidil temporarily before/after the injections? Thanks in advance.

Monica Boen, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is no contraindication to using Botox and Minoxidil at the same time. However, I would make sure your doctors know you are undergoing both treatments simultaneously just to be safe. Make sure you are working with a board-certified dermatologist who is also a Botox expert to ensure your procedures are performed with the precision necessary to minimize risks and achieve the best possible results.

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

Hi there, I don’t think it’s necessary to discontinue use of minoxidil prior to injections of Botox. However, I would suggest not using minoxidil on open/broken skin, or immediately after your injections as it can be irritating. It’s best to use it several hours before or after your Botox treatment. It should not have any affect on the results of your treatment. Please contact your care care provider for their medical opinion.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. While there are no adverse effects, it is important that you and your board certified facial plastic surgeon prepare a treatment plan to help you achieve your goals. For example, you may be a great candidate for NeoGraft Hair Restoration for the only natural hair regrowth solution.
Best wishes,

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

There should be no problem having a Botox treatment to the forehead/glabella while using Minoxidil.  The two will not interact.

Selena Lantry, MD · Answer

There are no adverse effects from receiving Botox injections while simultaneously taking Minoxidil.  Let your provider and doctor know beforehand, but you should have nothing to worry about.

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question Zhoop. 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.Using minoxidil is not a contraindication to having a Botox treatment. If I had a patient with the concern described here I would say that it is safe to have a Botox treatment while on minoxidil.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.
  
Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

No, there no negative effect of using Minoxidil and having Botox treatment that I know of. I feel comfortable telling you that you can continue with both treatments.

Anteneh Roba, MD · Answer

There should be no negative interaction between the use of minoxidil topically and Botox. You are free to use both.

Are there any adverse effects/interactions using Botox and Minoxidil simultaneously?

Answers (8)

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