When Can I Exercise After TOX®? The Do’s and Don’ts of Post-Injection Workouts

Tox is a purified protein that temporarily relaxes the muscles that, cause frown lines and other wrinkles. Tox is injected into muscles using a fine needle. The treatment is quick, and most people return to their normal activities immediately.

How Long Will The Results Last?

After a Tox injection, patients can expect their results to last about three to four months. At that point, a patient should schedule another appointment with their practitioner to avoid a reversal in results. After two rounds of injections, most patients only require an annual visit for maintenance purposes. 

What Type of Exercise Should I Do After My Injection?

While we encourage all of our patients to follow the guidelines from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and avoid certain movements immediately after treatment, exercising the day after your Tox injection isn't something you should worry about much. In fact, it can actually be beneficial! There are a few things to keep in mind as you exercise:

• Avoid any strenuous activities that increase your heart rate or cause you to sweat excessively. This could cause the toxin to spread into unwanted areas.
• Limit your activity to walking and light yoga for 24 hours following treatment. After that, you can return to your regular fitness routine as long as you don't experience any pain.

You should wait to exercise until the next day so you don't risk getting the injection site irritated or infected due to excessive sweating. Sweating can cause the botulinum toxin to migrate away from its intended injection site, which can render it ineffective. If you experience any swelling at the injection site, you can also delay exercise until the swelling goes down. Sweating and swelling are normal side effects of the injections, so let your doctor know if they persist longer than usual. Exercising immediately after Tox treatments can also increase your chances of experiencing bruising and bleeding at the injection sites. It can also cause headaches and fatigue.

More serious complications can occur if you exercise too soon after Tox injections as well. These problems include drooping of the upper eyelid as well as muscle weakness in the treated area. You may also notice an uneven smile if your Tox treatment affects your upper lip muscles. If you have any one of these side effects after getting Tox injections, call your doctor immediately and ask whether or not you should postpone your workout for another day.

To learn more about Tox and aftercare, visit our office, Love Medical Spa, at 2250 NW Flanders St., Portland, OR 97210. You can also reach us at (971) 500-9009 and schedule an appointment.