InjectAbility® Institute loves to be involved in research as well as education. The peer reviewed journal that Nurse Leslie writes and edits for, the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing recently published an article dispelling myths surrounding post treatment instructions for Botox. #WellnessWednesday
Botox Myths
1. After treatment, icing DOES affect BTX-A
a. The uptake of BTX-A in the muscle cells is temperature dependent, and the reduction in temperature reduces the uptake, thus decreasing the effects of BTX-A (Pirazzini et al, 2017).
2. Muscle activity DOES affect BTX-A
a. There is evidence to prove that immediately utilizing the muscle injected with BTX-A may impact efficacy. The more activity the patient engages in the treated muscles within the first hour after BTX-A, the more effective the BTX-A is. In a study of 8 patients using BTX-A for writer’s cramp, when the patients voluntarily exercised the muscles after treatment, the muscle was relaxed more than when they didn’t. Thus, providing the theory that that the uptake of BTX-A is activity dependent. (Hallett, 2015) (Chen, et al, 1999).
3. UV radiation exposure DOES affect the BTX-A
a. Another reason to use SPF daily your BTX-A will work better if you do! In a double-blinded, randomized trial showed that UV exposure to the BTX-A treatment areas had a decrease in efficacy, when compared to areas that were not exposed to UV radiation (Sycha et al, 2007).
4. Exercise DOES NOT affect BTX-A
a. No research has ever proven that physical exercise affects the spread of BTX-A (Patel, 2018).
5. Massage DOES NOT affect BTX-A
a. No research has ever proven that massaging, or rubbing the area, or having any facial treatments after BTX-A can spread or (move) the BTX-A. Still applicable: do not press on the area for the first hour, as this could spread the toxin into adjacent muscles (Patel, 2018).
6. Lying down DOES NOT affect BTX-A
a. Lying down after botox myth… No research has ever proven that lying down, or even bending down for that matter, could cause BTX-A migration. Waiting one hour to do so, however, still remains prudent. (Patel, 2018).
7. Travel DOES NOT affect BTX-A
a. No evidence has ever been found to prove that an increase in cabin pressure could potentially lead to toxin spread (Carruthers, et al, 2004).
