One of the top questions we hear from patients after they receive Botox is, “When can I exercise?” Eating well, exercising regularly, and having Botox treatments to keep their faces looking fresh and youthful are some of the ways our patients stay looking and feeling their best. Whether you are a gym regular or an occasional weekend warrior, here are a few guidelines to follow after your next Botox procedure.

Skip the gym for a minimum of 4 hours after your procedure

It’s important to refrain from any extra activity immediately following your injections. Waiting gives the Botox time to settle into the muscle and prevents it from moving out of the location where it was injected.

Prevent unintended results and exacerbated bruising

Removing sweat from your brow becomes an instant facial massage. This small act could actually move the Botox from the intended area. The same thing happens if you put your head below your heart, à la downward-facing dog in a yoga class. Exercising can also make bruising worse if you head to the gym soon after your injections. Even if you didn’t bruise immediately, raising your blood pressure during an intense workout can lead to swelling in the injected area.

Exercise with caution and plan accordingly

You don’t want to do anything that could increase the risk of Botox acting in another area of your face. That would decrease your desired results. The best course of action is to get your workout in a few hours before your scheduled injections, or even the day before your scheduled appointment. Therefore, you can get a full 24 hours of rest before you’re back at the gym.

Make Faces!

Seriously! Give your face a workout. Squint, frown, smile and raise your eyebrows. These small movements actually help work the Botox into the muscle.

Ultimately, you don’t want to risk affecting your Botox results by exercising too soon after your treatment. Be sure you schedule your Botox office treatments around your workout schedule. Feel free to contact us with any questions or call us to book your next appointment.

Stay informed on Botox; read, “7 Things You Didn’t Know About Botox.”