Dermatologists explain why you should adjust your fitness routine after cosmetic treatments.
Botox in the morning. Barbell lifts in the afternoon?
So long as you’re pain-free and in good spirits, you might be tempted to participate in a routine HIIT class or one-on-one session with your Coach just hours after getting a cosmetic treatment. But dermatologists advise otherwise.
The best practice: Take 24 hours off from your training.
Exercising shortly after receiving a neuromodulator like Botox or a cosmetic filler can increase the risk of migration. As you move, your heart rate increases, boosting blood flow that could drive the product to move from the targeted treatment area toward neighboring muscles (think: from between the eyes to the forehead), says Jacob I. Beer, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Beer Dermatology in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Rubbing your face (like when you wipe your forehead with a sweat towel) could also cause the product to spread, adds Gina Maccarone, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.C.S., a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon and owner of The Surgeonista Cosmetic Surgery in Cincinnati. It’s the same reason why you’d want to avoid lying on your face during a back massage or getting a facial immediately after a treatment, she notes.
Bruising can be a concern, too, says Dr. Beer. It’s already a common side effect with these treatments, though it’s influenced by personal factors (the medications and supplements you take, any medical conditions you have) and the practitioner’s method (the technique and needle size used, the speed of injection), according to information published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Raising blood pressure through exercise too soon after the procedure could cause increased bruising (and swelling) in the targeted areas, says Dr. Maccarone.
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Finally, heading straight to the Club after a neuromodulator treatment may reduce its efficacy, says Dr. Beer. “Before the Botox or the neuromodulator can fully set into the muscle, you're kind of increasing the metabolic rate that it's being processed at [by exercising],” he explains. That means your Botox might last you, say, six weeks instead of three to four months, he adds.
Along with pausing your workout routine for a day, you can reduce the risk of product spread by remaining upright for four hours after your procedure and avoiding touching or manipulating the area, advises Dr. Beer. On the same note, ditch your straw-equipped water bottle for 48 to 72 hours after a lip filler treatment to prevent migration, adds Dr. Maccarone.
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As you recover, remember that good results take time, says Dr. Beer. “It can take, as I mentioned, from three to 14 days [to see] the full effect,” he says. “I'm also horrible at this — I will do Botox on myself or I'll get it done, and I'll leave the room and be like, ‘I don't think it worked.’ You’ve got to be patient.”