Happy holidays from all at Acquisition Aesthetics! With the festive season upon us and the extremes of weather it can often bring, it seems like the perfect time to discuss whether hot or cold temperatures can impact the effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin (sometimes known as Botox®) and dermal filler treatments. If you prefer to spend your yuletide in hotter climates or enjoy hitting the sauna after the slopes, it’s important to understand if these choices may affect your non-surgical results.
Can Botulinum Toxin Results Be Affected by the Temperature?
Botulinum Toxin treatment reduces the appearance of wrinkles by through the action of Botulinum Toxin on target muscles. Botulinum Toxin relaxes the facial muscles to soften lines, whilst also preventing development of further wrinkles. Once injected, the results should last between 3-6 months.
Most clinicians advise avoiding exposure to high temperatures for up to 48 hours after Botulinum Toxin treatment. This includes engaging in intense exercise and using steam rooms or sun beds. The main reason for this is to reduce the risk of swelling and bruising. Raising the body’s temperature will cause increased blood flow and dilation of the blood vessels which in turn can worsen any post-injection inflammation. Once 48 hours have passed however, it is safe to resume any of these activities.
As well as increasing the risk of swelling, some surgeons advise that exposure to high heat in the first 48 hours after treatment may cause dispersal of the Botulinum Toxin product. Botulinum Toxin works by binding to receptors which control the neuromuscular function, a process which can take some time to fully complete. This is why the full benefit of Botulinum Toxin treatment can often take up to 2 weeks to show. Exposing the body to high heat or activities which increase blood flow may disrupt this process and/or cause the Botulinum Toxin to migrate to other areas, affecting the overall results. Once the Botulinum Toxin has fully settled, being in the sun or in hot environments should not impact your results.
For those concerned about colder temperatures, the good news is that there is no evidence to suggest that exposure to the cold, immediately after treatment or otherwise, has any effect on Botulinum Toxin results.
Can Extreme Temperatures Affect Dermal Filler Results?
As dermal filler products, such as Restylane, must be kept at room temperature and should not be frozen, this may give rise to a concern that fillers are also vulnerable to being affected by temperature once in the body.
Thankfully, this is not the case. Once dermal filler has been injected, your body becomes an effective insulator for the product and keeps it stable until it is broken down over time.
However, the advice for Botulinum Toxin also applies for dermal filler treatments. Exposure to high heat or engaging in vigorous exercise within 48 hours after treatment increases the risk of bruising and swelling. It is recommended that hot environments are avoided for a few days post treatment, especially if you are prone to bruising. Once this initial period has passed, high or low temperatures should not affect dermal filler results.
Can Temperature Affect the Longevity of Botulinum Toxin or Dermal Filler Treatments?
There is a theory that repeated and prolonged exposure to hot temperatures or engaging in frequent intense exercise may affect the longevity of injectable results.
There is little evidence to support this at present, but anecdotal reports from some suggest that this may be a phenomenon. One explanation for this is dehydration. Being in hot environments or exercising heavily can leave you dehydrated which may affect the appearance of your results. Another explanation may be that those who engage in regular high intensity exercise or are in hot environments may metabolise the Botulinum Toxin or dermal filler product more quickly than others.
The overall consensus, however, is that once the initial 48 hours has passed exposure to high or low temperatures should not negatively affect Botulinum Toxin or dermal filler results in any significant way.
If you have any concerns then always seek advice from your aesthetic practitioner prior to receiving treatment. If you are interested in receiving treatment as a cosmetic model patient with Acquisition Aesthetics and have any questions relating to this article, then get in touch with us! Click here to browse our treatments or email us at: models@acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk.
