Exercises are vital for the well-being of individuals. Botulinum toxin injections are cosmetic procedures that freeze muscles, thereby removing wrinkles and fine lines. This article explains why exercising should be avoided after botulinum toxin treatments.
Botulinum toxin treatments, also known as anti-wrinkle treatments, are used to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. However, patients can use them to treat certain conditions, such as migraines. The anti-wrinkle treatment has several side effects, including swelling and bruising. Aesthetic doctors give their patient’s aftercare guidelines to help with easy healing. Extreme exercises and strenuous activities can cause severe damage to the treated area. Such exercises can make the patient’s metabolic rate increase, prolonging the healing process of the botulinum toxin treatment.
What is Botox?
Botulinum toxin injections are mainly used to relax the facial muscles responsible for wrinkle and fine lines formation. The Botulinum toxin type A can be clinically used and injected explicitly in three main areas: the forehead, crow’s feet and the glabella.Also, botulinum toxin injections reduce various medical conditions like eye problems, migraines and overactive bladder.Botulinum toxin treatments have several side effects. Moreover, patients go for anti-wrinkle treatment for various medical purposes. Medical conditions include cervical dystonia, overactive bladder, and chronic migraines.
How Does Botulinum Toxin Work?
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin injected into an individual’s muscle for a targeted treatment using ultra-straight needles. It blocks nerve signals essential for the contraction of various body muscles. Botulinum toxin injections also help relax the muscles by decreasing muscle movement.
Why Botulinum Toxin Injections?
Patients go for botulinum toxin treatments due to various reasons, including;
Eliminating Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Fine lines and wrinkles are mainly caused by volume loss. The skin loses volume due to various reasons, such as ageing, genetics, external factors, such as pollution, and lifestyle choices, such as smoking. Botulinum toxin treatments can eliminate fine lines and wrinkles by tightening and relaxing the muscles in the affected area.
Correction of Gummy Smile
Botulinum toxin injection is a non-invasive rapid procedure that can treat gummy smiles. Mossad et al. (2021) explained that botulinum toxin type A could relax the muscles in the upper lips of a patient when injected. The injection limits the rise of the upper lip when one smiles, resulting in a more natural and appealing smile. Botulinum toxin treatments can also be used for medical purposes, including;
Cervical Dystonia
Cervical dystonia is a medical disorder of the nervous system that affects how the brain controls the muscles. Also known as neck spasms, cervical dystonia is a painful condition whereby the neck muscles involuntarily contract and makes it turn or twist in an uncomfortable position. According to Schramm et al. (2015), this condition is not curable, but its symptoms can be reduced using botulinum toxin injections.
Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder is characterized by urinary incontinence, frequent urination, or urgent need to pee, caused by factors such as medication and nerve damage, leading to stress. Botulinum toxin injections can help reduce the symptoms of this condition.
Chronic Migraines
Weatherall (2015) explained that if one has continuous headaches atleast 15 times a month, one can have a chronic migraine. The continuous headaches are countered by using botulinum toxin treatments, minimizing the migraines.
Twitching Eyelids
It is not a serious condition. However, it can be irritating and intolerable at times. The twitching eyelid can be a nervous system disorder whereby the eyelids open and close involuntarily. Patients with this condition can opt for botulinum toxin treatments to relax muscle movement.
Side Effects of Botulinum Toxin Treatments
The full effects of botulinum toxin treatments take up to 30 days. However, most patients notice some changes within five days and near full results by 14 days. Immediately after the anti-wrinkle treatment, the patient can expect the following side effects;
- A small swelling at the injection site, which will reduce within 30 minutes
- After the anti-wrinkle treatment, patients may occasionally experience a small bruise or redness, which disappears within a few days.
- Pain in the injected area
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
These side effects fade away after some time. Therefore, patients should not worry about them. Ghai et al. (2013) stated that incorrect botox injections could lead to several complications, such as;
- Muscle weakness
- Trouble swallowing food
- Eye-sight complications
- Difficulty breathing
Patients should ensure they seek anti-wrinkle injections from qualified cosmetic doctors and aesthetic practitioners.
Factors to Consider Before Botulinum Toxin Treatments
The Cost of the Treatment
The cost of botulinum toxin treatments varies depending on your geographical area, the cosmetic doctor performing the treatment, and the number of injections.
The Cosmetic Surgeon or Aesthetic Practitioner
Professional medical practitioners should do aesthetic procedures, such as anti-wrinkle treatment. Patients should ensure they visit a qualified practitioner to avoid incorrect administration of the anti-wrinkle treatment.
When to Exercise After Botox
Botulinum toxin injections may have some side effects. Therefore, a cosmetic doctor gives out aftercare tips to a patient for smooth healing. After the anti-wrinkle treatment, patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercises 24 hours after the procedure to avoid increased blood flow, worsening the bruising. Also, sweat can go to the injected area, causing infections.
What to Do After Botox Treatments
After botulinum toxin injections, the cosmetic doctor gives the patient aftercare guidelines to help with smooth healing. Below are some things one should do after botulinum toxin treatments;
- Avoid alcohol and strenuous exercises for at least 24 hours after anti-wrinkle treatments as it can lead to flushing of the skin, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. Also, strenuous activities increase blood flow, worsening the bruises.
- Avoid rubbing or massaging the injected areas for 24 hours; this includes having a facial massage.
- Avoid applying makeup directly to the injection area for 24 hours after the botulinum toxintreatment. However, you may apply makeup to the other areas of your face.
Frequently Asked Questions about Botox
What Happens if You Exercise After Botulinum Toxin Injections?
Strenuous exercises can move the toxin, making it settle in an undesirable place. The migration of the toxin may lead to effects such as drooping eyelids.
How Long Should I Wait After Botulinum Toxin Injections to Exercise?
Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities 24 hours after botulinum toxin injections.
Conclusion
Botulinum toxin injections are done primarily to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles causing them. Fine lines and wrinkles are caused by volume loss. Patients are advised to check on the cosmetic doctor performing the aesthetic procedure. After the treatment, patients should follow the aftercare guidelines given by the cosmetic doctor for smooth healing. Strenuous exercises should be avoided 24 hours after the procedure to minimize the risk of contracting infections, worsening the bruise, and misplacing the toxin.
References
Ghai, A., Garg, N., Hooda, S., & Gupta, T. (2013). Spasticity–Pathogenesis, prevention and treatment strategies. Saudi journal of anaesthesia, 7(4), 453.
Mossaad, A. M., Abdelrahman, M. A., Kotb, A. M., Alolayan, A. B., & Elsayed, S. A. H. (2021). Gummy smile management using diode laser gingivectomy versus botulinum toxin injection-A prospective study. Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery, 11(1), 70.
Schramm, A., Bäumer, T., Fietzek, U., Heitmann, S., Walter, U., & Jost, W. H. (2015). Relevance of sonography for botulinum toxin treatment of cervical dystonia: an expert statement. Journal of neural transmission, 122(10), 1457-1463.
Weatherall, M. W. (2015). The diagnosis and treatment of chronic migraine. Therapeutic advances in chronic disease, 6(3), 115-123.
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