Can I Exercise After Getting Botox?

Botox is one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments, known for its ability to smooth fine lines and wrinkles with minimal downtime. 

However, if you’re someone who loves to go on a run or hit the gym, you might be wondering: can I exercise after getting Botox?

The short answer is no, you should always wait after your Botox appointment to exercise to prevent the neurotoxin from migrating from the injection point.

Exercise can lead to unintended muscle relaxation in surrounding areas, which can reduce its overall effectiveness.

We’ll cover why you shouldn’t exercise after Botox below, including how long you should wait before resuming activity after your treatment. 

Why You Shouldn’t Exercise After Botox

After a patient receives their treatment, Botox aftercare guidelines typically advise against engaging in strenuous activities or exercise for a minimum of 24 hours. 

This precaution is necessary as physical activity elevates heart rate and increases circulation. This can potentially lead to the Botox neurotoxin spreading beyond the intended injection site. 

Botox contains botulinum toxin A, a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyses targeted muscles by blocking nerve signals. If the toxin moves to unintended areas during exercise, it may impact other muscles and cause side effects, like drooping or temporary facial weakness. 

Here are some exercises to avoid for 24 hours post-treatment:

• High-Intensity Workouts: HIIT, running, dancing, and aerobics elevate the heart rate and blood flow, potentially causing Botox to spread beyond the intended area. 

• Inversions and bending: Positions that involve bending or inversions, like the ones used in Pilates and Yoga, can affect how Botox settles in the muscles, leading to migration to unintended areas.

• Strength training: Activities like heavy lifting or weight training can increase circulation and affect Botox placement.

• Any activity which puts pressure on the treated area: Tight sports gear, wiping sweat aggressively, or massaging the face can shift the neurotoxin and lead to bruising. 

As Botox needs time to affect the targeted muscles, avoiding any activity that involves excessive sweating, strain, or increased circulation will help maintain your results.

Sticking to your practitioner's aftercare advice will help you achieve the best outcome. 

Physical activity increases circulation, which may cause Botox to spread to other areas around the injection site.

How Long Should You Wait To Exercise After Botox?

To support the best results from your Botox treatment, it’s generally advised to wait at least 4 hours before engaging in any physical activity, including bending over. 

However, for optimal safety and effectiveness, most practitioners recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours. 

While intense physical activity should be avoided after Botox, some light movement is generally acceptable. A slow, relaxed walk is unlikely to affect your Botox results and routine tasks that don’t involve any exertion are fine.

Not all movement is off-limits. A minor study from 2019 suggests that facial exercises might speed up the time it takes for Botox to take effect. 

Some practitioners recommend intentionally engaging your facial muscles through smiling, frowning, or raising eyebrows in the first few hours after treatment. These subtle movements can help Botox settle into the muscles more effectively, enhancing its overall effectiveness. 

However, anything more than this should be avoided, as movements that increase heart rate can metabolise the Botox faster, or disrupt its intended effect. Always follow your practitioner's specific aftercare instructions to get the most out of your treatment. 

It's best to wait at least 4 hours before physical activity, but most practitioners recommend waiting 24 hours for the best results.

How Long Until You Can Lie Down After Botox?

As you’re advised to avoid exercise after Botox, you might think that it’s fine to rest and lie down directly after your treatment. Wrong! 

A common concern is whether lying down too soon could cause the neurotoxin to migrate to different areas, affecting your results. This is why most practitioners recommend staying upright for at least 4 hours as a precaution, to reduce any minimal risk of migration. 

Fortunately, the actual risk of this is quite low. Botox begins binding to nerve receptor sites almost immediately and is largely settled within a few hours. As it is injected precisely into targeted muscles, it is unlikely to shift due to gravity alone. 

Nevertheless, it’s still best to follow post-care recommendations to ensure optimal results. Staying upright and avoiding lying down for at least 4 hours allows the Botox to settle properly, reducing the chance of unintended migration. 

Staying upright and avoiding lying down for at least 4 hours allows the Botox to settle properly, reducing the chance of unintended migration. 

Does Exercise Make Botox Wear Off Faster?

There is ongoing discussion about whether regular exercise impacts the longevity of Botox results. 

One study suggests that individuals who engage in intense workouts, such as CrossFit multiple times per week, may see their Botox wear off sooner than those with lower activity levels. 

One possible explanation lies in metabolism. As exercise increases metabolic rate, it may cause the body to break down Botox more quickly.

Additionally, frequent, high-intensity movements could accelerate the detachment of Botox from muscle receptors, reducing its effectiveness over time. 

However, there is no definitive proof that exercise significantly shortens the lifespan of Botox. Genetics play a much larger role in how long Botox lasts, as some individuals naturally metabolise the neurotoxin faster than others. 

Dosage also matters. Higher amounts of Botox will typically last longer than smaller doses, such as those used in ‘Baby Botox’ treatments. 

Maintaining an active lifestyle may lead to slightly more frequent touch-ups, but your Botox will still remain effective.

The key exception is immediately after the treatment. Exercise should always be avoided for at least 24 hours to prevent increased blood flow from diluting or displacing the product before it has fully settled. 

How We Can Help

So, can you exercise after getting Botox? The answer is that you should always wait for 24 hours before resuming physical activity. 

The risk of Botox migrating might be low, but giving it time to settle properly minimises any potential complications, like reduced effectiveness or unintended muscle relaxation. 

Are you looking to begin or advance your career in aesthetics?

YouCan Clinic offers expert-led Botulinum Toxin training courses tailored for every level, from beginners to experienced practitioners.

Our comprehensive training covers essential techniques, patient anatomy, correct dosing, and consent procedures to ensure safe and effective treatments. 

Send us an email at courses@youcanclinic.com to find out more.