It is advisable that you avoid exercise for at least 24 hours after you have had anti-wrinkle injections.
If you are concerned about fine lines and wrinkles in certain areas of your face, you might consider a treatment of anti-wrinkle injections. The procedure works by relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles and helps to achieve a generally more youthful look. If you are planning to go ahead with the treatment, it is important to understand that although the procedure is minimally invasive and requires very little downtime, it is best that you avoid exercise immediately following your treatment. Read on to find out why you should hold off on your exercise regime, at least for a day or so…
1. Exercise puts pressure on the site of injection
If you choose to go ahead with a treatment of anti-wrinkle injections, your practitioner will advise that you don’t touch your face for the first few hours following your procedure. This is because applying any pressure to the site of treatment could cause the anti-wrinkle formula to move from the area in which it was injected. Also, your skin may feel sensitive, and applying pressure is likely to exacerbate any discomfort that you experience.
It is best to avoid exercise for similar reasons — if you wipe sweat from your face whilst you are exercising, it’s likely that you will apply pressure to your face. Also, some forms of exercise, such as cycling for example, require headgear that could place pressure on your site of treatment.
2. Exercise increases blood flow
If you engage in strenuous activity, such as running or aerobics, your heart will pump faster than usual and increase your blood flow quite considerably. This increase in blood flow can cause the anti-wrinkle formula to disperse and move away from the target area in which it was injected. This can affect the results of your treatment and even cause temporary paralysis in the surrounding muscles.
Exercise can also increase one’s blood pressure — if this happens, you may experience increased bruising and swelling at the site of treatment.
3. Exercise causes movement
Once your anti-wrinkle treatment is complete, it is best that you don’t change the position of your head too much or too vigorously. Too much movement can cause the proteins that have been injected into your skin to move into other areas of the face. Most forms of exercise can cause this issue — even low-impact activities like yoga and stretching often involve movement of the head, as well as some level of facial strain.
As well as avoiding too much head movement, there are a few other things that are best avoided after your treatment. These include lying or bending down; having a hot shower or bath; drinking alcohol or too much caffeine; flying; and rubbing or scratching the site of treatment.
Although it is best to avoid exercise after your treatment, you should be able to resume most of your usual activities right away. Any discomfort will be minor and temporary, but don’t hesitate to speak to your practitioner if you are concerned about any side effects that you notice.
How can we help?
Dr Jaclyn Wong offers a comprehensive range of facial rejuvenation procedures, including anti-wrinkle injections which help to reduce some of the visible signs of ageing. If you are concerned about the appearance of your skin and would like to achieve a more youthful-looking aesthetic, we encourage you to come in for a consultation. Dr Wong will explain the process to you and let you know if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. She will also let you know what to expect after the treatment, and what you can do to enjoy optimal results.
To find out more about the anti-wrinkle injections that Dr Wong provides, please have a look here. To arrange a consultation with Dr Jaclyn Wong, please get in touch here or give us a call on (03) 9028 2665 or 0422 944 830.