How long should you wait to work out after Botox?

Botox, or any other name brand neuromodulator (Dysport, Xeomin, etc.), works by softening the muscle contraction of the area it’s injected into. Aesthetically, it is common for Botox to be injected into the forehead to help with horizontal lines, around the eyes to help with crow’s feet, in between the eyebrows to help with 11 lines, etc.

The issue with exercise after injection of a neuromodulator is that exercise increases blood flow and body temperature. Both of these factors can lead to the medication spreading to surrounding areas…which is what we don’t want. We want the medication to stay right where it is injected. Why? Because if it migrates to nearby areas of the face (e.g., eyelid or mouth), it can cause weakened muscle contractions in areas we don’t want weakened.

For example, let’s say a patient has Botox injected into their forehead and in between the eyebrows to give them a softer appearance and less visible lines in those areas. If that Botox migrates into the upper eyelid, they may have difficulty fully opening the eyelid for the following 3 months.

Generally, I tell patients to wait until the following day to perform any vigorous exercise.