“Am I allowed to exercise after my Botox injections?” and “Can I attend yoga class after getting fillers?” are some of the common questions we hear from patients at Ethos Spa. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a gym fanatic, it’s important to know how your treatment will affect your exercise habits.
So can you exercise after getting Botox or injectable fillers? The answer is no. Most board certified cosmetic surgeons highly recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours - 48 hours after your treatment.
While exercise is good for your skin and can even help regulate cellular aging, your dermatologist will ask you to wait at least 4 hours before you exercise - including bending over or lying down. However, the most ideal time to wait is at least 24 hours to play it safe before exerting yourself in any way. There are several reasons why it’s better to skip your gym session after getting fillers or a Botox procedure:
Botox and fillers are frequently used together to create a younger look in patients. Botox prevents the muscles from moving and smooths out frown lines or wrinkles, while fillers are injected to increase volume in areas that have thinned with age.
Ordinarily, Botox lasts 3 - 4 months before needing to be redone while fillers may last around 6 months. However, doctors have observed seeing fillers and Botox lasting for a shorter time in people who exercise heavily. The reason behind this phenomenon isn’t clear to us yet but it’s still best to wait for the products to settle into your body before doing a drastic workout.
Strenuous exercise after Botox or fillers could cause the product to migrate. When products are injected, different proteins diffuse to the treatment area. An increase in blood flow during a workout can metabolize the product before the diffusion is complete.
Facial strain from exercise is another concern. As your facial muscles make certain expressions, the cosmetic products may move to a different side of your face and cause an unintended shift. It is also best to avoid even “light” or low-impact workouts like yoga or Pilates for the first 4 hours, because of the changes in the head position.
Exercising gets your heart pumping and raises your blood pressure, which may cause side effects such as bruising or swelling after a cosmetic treatment. With an increased blood flow, your Botox may move away from the initial injection site and temporarily paralyze surrounding muscles.
Fillers, on the other hand, take time to “mature” in the skin. Fillers absorb water from your tissues and adjust on its own to the natural muscle action in your face. However, exercising may speed up that process, prompting the gel to expand more quickly and break blood vessels in the process. If you’re prone to bruising, it’s best to rest for a full 24 hours before heading back to the gym.
Swimming and any other physical activity that causes you to sweat are off-limits for at least 48 hours. At this point in time, bacteria can still enter the injected areas of your skin and create an infection in your body. To prevent any post-procedure complications, avoid any form of exercise after Botox or fillers.
After you get Botox or fillers, your doctor will ask you to avoid touching your face for the first 4 hours. Adding pressure could cause the Botox to migrate from the injected area and prevent fillers from integrating into your tissues naturally. Changes in the head position may also be difficult, as you will find your face sensitive and prone to discomfort after treatment.
Certain activities that require headgear like tight goggles or face masks can cause pressure on facial areas, so swimming and cycling are out of the question. Even wiping the sweat from your forehead can cause a mini massage in that area, which you will want to avoid. One of the instructions you can follow is to simply stay upright and not lie down following your injection session.
Aside from exercise after Botox and fillers, there are other things a cosmetic surgeon would advise a patient against. These include:
As more and more people try out injectable cosmetics like Botox and fillers, they would need to take care of extra care of their bodies after a procedure to have long-lasting results. If you want to extend the effects of these cosmetic procedures, here’s what you need to know:
Injectables are a good way to get rid of worry lines or sagging skin for good, but fantastic results don’t depend on products alone. Aftercare is an important stage in any treatment plan for a smooth recovery and a satisfying outcome.
At Ethos Spa, we deliver the best care to our clients. Enjoy a world-class experience in the hands of New Jersey’s leading injectors. Book an appointment with Ethos Spa today.