How Long After Botox Can You Exercise? Read This!

Botox is getting more and more popular by the day, with 4.4 million Botox injections in the US alone in 2020. This procedure is becoming more common in part thanks to how convenient it is—after a 15 to 20 minute appointment, you can resume your normal activities in just a few hours. However, many people wonder, how long after Botox can you exercise?

You can exercise 24 hours after getting Botox. In some instances, you might be able to exercise even sooner. If you’re planning on doing a high-intensity session, it’s best to wait at least a day (if not more) before resuming your training program.

If you’re a fitness aficionado worrying about how the procedure will interfere with your routine, keep reading to learn more about how your injections could interfere with your workout regime. We’ll give you some helpful tips on how to reintroduce exercise after your Botox appointment as well as a few things to keep in mind if you work out at high intensity.

How Long After Botox Can You Exercise To Avoid Any Adverse Effects?

Since getting Botox is now more convenient than ever, it might seem like going through the procedure is just another step of your day-to-day skincare routine. However, the truth of the matter is you’re still going through a cosmetic procedure, meaning your skin will still require enough time to heal after receiving the injections.

Now, the right time to wait before you get yourself in the gym (or running track, or yoga studio, etc.) again will depend on a few variables that are beyond your control.

For example, suppose your dermatologist performed the procedure well, and your skin reacted well to the injections. In that case, you might even be able to make it to a low-intensity stretching session just a few hours later. However, you can’t plan for this in advance and it’s always advisable to be cautious.

You should plan to wait at least 24 hours before you work out after Botox injections. However, you might be able to do some light training in as little as three to four hours after your Botox session if you had a minor procedure and your skin did not have a negative reaction to the Botox.

If you do decide to train on the same day that you’ve gotten your injections, the most important thing to remember is to avoid applying any pressure to your face. This will allow you to exercise without compromising the outcome of your procedure.

For example, you should avoid any type of headgear like swimming goggles at all costs. Moreover, try to avoid sweating during your session, as when wiping the sweat away, you’ll be applying pressure to the freshly injected areas.

As Bridgetown Aesthetics explains: “Rubbing, massaging, or applying significant pressure to the face after Botox can cause the dosage to move to an unintended area.”

Moreover, if the Botox injections haven’t had enough time to settle into place, the increased blood pressure that will occur as a result of physical activity could cause the neurotoxic protein found in them to metabolize quicker, altering the way the settled-in product will look (usually making the outcome less than ideal).

Lastly, if you’re someone who bruises easily, the injections are bound to leave a mark or two on your face. When you exercise, your blood flow increases, making the existing bruises much more prominent. As a result, you’ll have to wait longer for your skin to fully heal.

How Long After Botox Can You Exercise at High Intensity?

You can exercise at high intensity 1 to 7 days after getting Botox. The specific time frame depends on how well your body has received the procedure and how intensive your regimen is. Usually, you should wait at least 24 hours after getting Botox to perform any strenuous activity.

How Long After Botox Can You Exercise: Dos and Don’ts

Between the contradicting advice you might get from friends and family and trying to listen to your body after the procedure, it can get challenging to decide on what to do after getting the injections to facilitate the healing process as much as you can.

Here are some of the dos and don’ts when it comes to how long after Botox you should exercise:

Dos

• Wait a full day after engaging in high-intensity exercise. Even though you technically can try some low-impact moves a few hours after the procedure, if you’re planning on breaking a sweat, waiting 24 hours is the way to go.

• In the meantime, try some facial exercises instead. See? You won’t have to skip your exercise routine after all. Swap your squats and bench presses for some eyebrow lifts. According to a JAAD study, roughly 68% of participants confirmed that performing these facial exercises after getting Botox injections increased the procedure’s efficiency.

• Take time to rest. As with any medical procedure, it’s essential to take the necessary time to rest. Even though the procedure is relatively simple, you’re still getting your skin injected with a foreign substance; give it the proper time to heal.

According to the JAAD article mentioned earlier: “Expediting the time to noticeable benefit, even by 1 day, may be clinically significant for some patients.”

Don’ts

• Put pressure on your face. Regardless of the type of exercise you engage in, avoid putting any pressure on your face at all costs. The motion could end up affecting the results if the injections haven’t settled in yet.

• Force yourself to exercise. We guarantee you won’t lose your progress if you miss a day (or even a week); therefore, don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Take the time you need and only exercise when your body feels relaxed and ready.

• Lie down face first. One of the best things you can do after a Botox procedure is to avoid applying pressure on your face.

• Drink alcohol. Alcohol is a vasodilator, which means it increases blood flow. This can cause bruising on your face after a Botox session.

Conclusion

Getting Botox is more than just going to your dermatologist for a facial. While it’s a relatively minor procedure, many people wonder how long after Botox can they exercise. After getting Botox, it’s best to wait at least a full day before engaging in physical activity.

However, if you’re planning on doing high-intensity exercises, it’s best to give your face and body a few more days to fully heal until the Botox has had enough time to settle in fully.

Thanks for reading!

If you enjoyed this article about how long after Botox can you exercise, for sure you will love reading about How To Find the Right Anti Aging Clinic For You, and Anti Aging: How to Reverse Your Skin Age Quickly and Safely.

Sources

• Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Effect of postinjection facial exercise on time of onset of botulinum toxin for glabella and forehead wrinkles: A randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial
• Insider: Demand for Botox boomed during the pandemic. Here’s how to know if it’s right for you
• Bridgetown Aesthetics: Botox Aftercare – Exploring Your Common Questions and Concerns