Working Out With BOTOX®: What to Expect

Staying active is important for health—even for women and men who are fortunate enough to have a naturally slender frame and fast metabolism. One thing to consider if you’re thinking about having non-surgical injectables is how your day-to-day activities may be affected by the use of fillers or BOTOX^®. The Newton-based aesthetic team at Dr. Happe Medical Aesthetics Cosmetic explains that these treatment work well for patients with very different lifestyles. From the professional athlete and the casual gym-goer to the person who avoids the treadmill at all costs, the majority of people who want to reduce dynamic wrinkles (those that appear when we make expressions, such as smiling or frowning) are good candidates for this treatment.

BOTOX^® is a purified, diluted medicine that reduces the severity of certain wrinkles and lines on the face, as well as addresses other cosmetic and medical issues. The most common areas for it to be used are around the upper third of the face (where frown lines and forehead wrinkles form) and near the eyes (where crow’s feet are prone to occurring) due to repetitive muscle contractions.

When other options haven’t worked, in-office beauty treatments like BOTOX^® are ideal for altering signs of aging. That being said, if you’re committed to having the most glowing complexion possible along with a toned-up body, some overall lifestyle adjustments are not necessary, but would be strongly advised by Dr. Holly Happe. This will include eating a cleaner diet, staying well hydrated, and incorporating physical exercise.

A major part of the appeal of BOTOX^® is how easily accessible, convenient, and low-risk it is. Nevertheless, there are certain activities patients should refrain from after a treatment session in order to avoid unwanted side effects and ensure the most attractive results. Light walking after your session won’t usually cause any complications, as long as you don’t sweat, but physicians recommend taking a break from any kind of more intense activity in the first 24 hours after you’ve had BOTOX^® injections. Yoga, bending over, headstands, etc., must be avoided so the BOTOX^® doesn't move to an unintended location.

This is because it takes several hours for the ingredients in BOTOX^® to diffuse and set. Elevating blood flow and placing any kind of pressure on the face during this time can hinder the medication’s effectiveness by causing it to move to another part of the face. Unfortunately for those fitness fanatics who can’t wait to get back to the gym again, some physicians recommend resting and avoiding heavy exercise for 24 after a session.

The good news is that you won’t have to sacrifice your busy, active lifestyle for good. Exercising is perfectly fine once your initial recovery phase has passed. Indeed, one of the lesser-known aspects of BOTOX^® is its perceived ability to enhance athletic performance for some people. How? Minimizing facial wrinkles or irregularities a patient is insecure about can provide a needed boost in confidence to encourage them to workout or play sports in public.

Athletic people are typically good candidates for BOTOX^®, as many experience “runner’s face”—a term used to describe facial sagging and volume loss from prolonged running. Whether from lost weight, sun exposure, other environmental factors, or all of the above, routine running can cause wrinkles to appear more prominent. For the average patient, BOTOX^® effects can last for about three to five months. Keep in mind that there is some speculation—not yet confirmed by clinical studies—that overly frequent exercise may make the muscle-relaxing medication less effective and shorten the lifespan of any results.

The negative effects of over-exercising on the skin are exacerbated if you aren’t getting enough rest and sleep, resulting in hormonal imbalances. If you workout outside a lot, the prolonged sun exposure may worsen the overall quality of the skin, leading to fine lines, rough patches, and sunspots. Be sure to wear protective clothing and a broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever possible. Swimmers should also note that chlorine has been known to speed up premature aging.

Knowing these factors can go a long way toward preventing unwanted effects, as well as prolonging the benefits of treatments. If you have questions pertaining to BOTOX^® Cosmetic, exercise, and more, talk to the team at Dr. Happe Medical Aesthetics in Newton in the Boston area. Call (617) 597-2600 or send them a message for further details.