The question of can I workout after botox procedure is mostly asked by people who love or have to workout but also need to have the botox injection. Workout is an important part of many people’s lives. They plan their day while including minutes or hours of physical activity. Before answering the question, we will carefully explain what botox is, how the procedure is done and if it is advisable to have workouts after the procedure.
WHAT IS BOTOX?
Botox is a cosmetic procedure that involves injecting a type of toxin known as botulinum toxin type A, specifically onabotulinumtoxinA into the body to temporary paralyze the muscles. The aim of this injection is to reduce how wrinkles appear on the face. From the definition, you may think botox is harmful because it involves injecting toxin into the face, but you should know that botox is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used for facial treatment.
Also, the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research in 2016 carried out a clinical study on botox and concluded that the procedure is very safe and effective in reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles.
For cosmetics purposes, botox is used in areas like:
- Around the eyes
- The area between the eyebrows
Apart from cosmetic purposes, botox is also approved by the FDA to be used to treat medical conditions like:
- Migraines especially chronic ones
- Excessive sweating under the arms
- Lower limb spasticity
- Overactive bladder
HOW DOES BOTOX PROCEDURE WORK?
When botox is injected into the skin, it works by paralyzing muscle contractions and blocking nerve signals from being sent to the nervous system, this relaxes the muscles and reduces how wrinkles appear. It also prevent new lines from forming by blocking muscle contractions. This procedure does not involve making cuts or incisions on the skin, there is no need for general anesthesia.
Topical anesthesia can only be used to numb the area to reduce pain and discomfort. The whole procedure may take between 5 to 10 minutes. Before we talk about working out after botox or the effects, is there any difference between exercise and workout? Are the different or same?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORKOUTS AND EXERCISES?
Workout and exercise are used interchangeably and most people are confused as to whether there is any difference between both. Workout is made up of exercises that are performed in a training session. That is to say if you are having a chest workout for example, it will include pushups, chest press, incline press and others. Workout can also be said to be a prescribed training session just like a runner having few minutes of warm up and jogging at interval.
Exercise on the other hand, is a specific physical activity in a workout. In the chest workout explained above, pushup is an exercise, chest press is also an exercise same as incline press. So, you can say that exercises make up workout. Exercise is just any physical activity like walking, jumping, running and even weight lifting. The only difference between both terms is that exercise makes up workout. Without individual exercises, there will not be any workout.
CAN I WORKOUT AFTER BOTOX?
Now that we know all about botox and what workout is, let us answer the question above. Medical professionals and aestheticians do not advise that you workout or engage in any exercise especially those that involve rigorous activities after having botox treatment. This is because botox needs enough time to settle fully into the skin and any pressure can cause the botox to spread out.
There are three reasons why you should not engage in workouts after having botox, these reasons are:
1. Workout Puts Pressure On The Injection Sites
One of the instructions you will receive after having botox injection is for you to avoid touching your face at least for 4 hours after the injection. This is because any pressure on the sites can cause the botox from move from the original site to other places. When this happens, other muscles that will be affected by the migration will be paralyzed as well. The pressure may also cause you to feel more pain and discomfort as the area is still sensitive.
While working out, you will likely use towels or handkerchiefs when you sweat, wiping off sweats can put pressure on the injection sites even without you knowing. For workout sessions that include cycling or swimming, you will have to wear protective helmets and facial gears on your heads, these equipment can cause pressure as well.
2. There Will Be Increase Of Blood Flow
Workout makes the heart to pump really fast because they involve physical and strenuous exercises, this is very good for the body’s overall health but it is bad news for botox. The increase in blood flow can cause botox to migrate from the initial and intended sites to other areas of the face, this can lead to paralysis of other surrounding muscles. Also, increase in blood pressure can cause the injection site to bleed and swell up.
3. Workout Needs Too Much Movements
Botox does not need much movements especially of the head, changing the head position too much can cause the botox to spread to other parts of the face. This is applicable to even workouts like weightlifting or yoga that needs your face to move more that it should.
WHEN CAN I WORKOUT AFTER BOTOX?
It is advisable that you wait for at least 4 hours after getting the injection before engaging in any workout or exercise including bending over or lying down. This is very important because 4 hours will give the botox enough time to settle in the skin and have effects on the face.
If it can be possible for you, you should wait for 24 hours before doing any workout, this is the best or ideal time to wait after having botox injection. To be on a safe side, you should wait for a week before any workout especially if it involves strenuous exercises. If you must workout before the end of the one week slated, you should only engage in light exercises.
WHAT KIND OF WORKOUT CAN I DO AFTER GETTING BOTOX?
There are light exercise you can include in your workout after the first 4 hours. They are:
1. Facial Exercises
You may have heard of this excercises before, they involve moving the features of the face without moving the head. These exercises will help the botox to fully settle in the skin and paralyze the muscles. Facial exercises include smiling, frowning, and raising the eyebrows. You can do all these without touching your face.
2. Walking
Walking is one exercise you should include in your workout, you only need to take slow steps. You can do this in the evening so that you will not sweat and avoid walking briskly. Avoid moving your head too much or touching your face, you should not expose your face to direct sunlight to prevent dilating the blood vessels.
3. Gardening
Gardening is very safe and recommended, it may not feel like your regular exercise but it is better than strenuous activities. While gardening, you should avoid bending your head, applying pressure to your face and exposing your face to direct sunlight. Also, do not make swift movements that can increase your blood flow to increase.
4. Upright Yoga, Pilates, or Light Stretching
These exercises do not need much movements, bending over or lying down. While moving your face, do not make swift movements that can cause the botox to spread to other areas.
ARE THERE OTHER THINGS I SHOULD NOT DO AFTER GETTING BOTOX INJECTIONS?
There are some things or activities you should not engage in at least for the first 4 hours after getting botox injection. According to Healthline, you should avoid:
- Drinking alcohol
- Lying down
- Bending the head
- Applying pressure or rubbing the injection sites
- Taking in too much caffeine
- Hot shower or taking hot bath
- Applying make-up
- Sleeping on your face
- Getting facial treatments for at least 2 weeks after the injection
- Applying tretinoin products
- Taking blood thinning medications
- Wearing a shower cap
- Working on your eyebrows like waxing, tweezing or threading them
- Excessive heat conditions
- Extremely cold conditions.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
If you engaged in workouts or applied pressure on the face before the stipulated time, you may experience some side effects. See your doctor immediately you notice any of the above symptoms, they may be a sign of something serious.
Some of these effects are:
- Paralyzing of the muscle or weakness of the muscles in areas that were not injected
- Bleeding
- Rash
- Droopy eyes
- Blister
- Severe swelling of the face
- Difficulty in breathing
- Severe pain
- Double or blurry vision
- Lightheadedness or feeling of fainting.
CONCLUSION
The question of when to start working out after getting botox injection is very common among athletes, sports persons and lovers of exercises. Getting botox is not the end of exercise or workout, you only need to wait for 4 hours or even a day so that you will get the best result from the cosmetic procedure. Facial exercises are recommended to help the botox to settle in the muscles.