Some Botox patients are surprised to learn that weather and climate can affect their Botox treatment.
A recent study in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal confirms that the climate does impact these treatments, particularly for patients in sunny climates who may require higher doses to treat facial lines and wrinkles.
The Sun’s Impact On Response to Cosmetic Botox
One of the most common cosmetic procedures that people get are neuromodulators (like Botox) and other injectables. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) statistics show that over eight million procedures involving neuromodulators such as botulinum toxin type A were performed in 2022.
These Botox injections work by blocking nerve signals to the injected muscles, resulting in reversible muscle paralysis. As a result, the wrinkles and aging signs on the overlying skin soften and relax.
However, aestheticians have discovered that the improvement from Botox injections varies from patient to patient, thanks to several factors. While the most common factors include muscle mass, ethnicity, gender, and age, some other unidentified factors may be involved. One of these is most likely climate, especially in procedures performed in the summer months.
The Study
During this study, plastic surgeons administered Botox injections with a standardized technique to patients in the glabellar muscles of the lower forehead. During the follow-up visits, patients were given top-up doses to achieve the full clinical paralysis required. They then compared the number of doses they had to give to patients in the high-sun group to those in the low-sun group.
They discovered that patients in the high-sun group received a higher dose, significantly different from those in the low-sun group. In addition, the differences remained significant after the introduction of other factors, such as age.
What This Means
The pressing question is whether or not patients in sunny climates would need more Botox than those in less sunny climates. Experts speculate that higher temperatures or direct exposure to sunlight could affect patients’ response to Botox. They note that although this difference may not necessarily mean higher treatment costs, it may impact the treatment itself and training.
Surgeons may not be able to follow rigid protocols regarding doses and distributions; that would mean undertreatment for patients in sunnier climates. Hence, they will need to take the climatic conditions into consideration to achieve a more predictable result.
Staying Safe Post Botox Treatment: What You Should Not Do After a Botox Treatment
Achieving the results you desire from a Botox treatment depends on you as much as it depends on the procedure itself. That is, you have a part to play in how fast you get the results – and if at all you get the results. Therefore, here are five things you should avoid doing when you have just undergone a Botox procedure in a place like Texas:
- Do not rub your face, no matter how uncomfortable you feel – and you will feel a bit uncomfortable initially. Naturally, after the procedure, your facial muscles will be tense; avoid rubbing the area to prevent increased stress.
- Avoid direct exposure to sunlight and other sources of strong heat like the sauna. Studies have shown that exposure to heat after a Botox treatment can create unwanted darkening spots on the treated areas.
- Avoid intense physical workouts and movements for the first few days after the treatment. We understand that you cannot wait to get back to your routine, but wait until you get the desired results at least.
- Do not take blood thinners like Plavix and Aspirin, as they can cause excessive bruising and bleeding in the treated areas. Avoid these medications two weeks before the procedure and up to three months after unless your doctor says otherwise.
- Do not wash your face with soap for the first six hours post-treatment; then, wash twice daily afterwards.
Conclusion
“If you are concerned about or simply interested in the impact weather may have on your Botox injections, feel free to have that discussion with your doctor,” says Dr. Sacha Obaid of North Texas Plastic Surgery. “Weather and climate may have an impact, but your doctor should be able to illustrate the full picture of why a particular dosage is recommended.”
Several things can affect the dosage quantity of a Botox injection, including your age, gender, and the injector’s expertise. However, recent studies have discovered that climatic conditions can impact how many Botox injections you get. Particularly, those in more sunny areas get higher doses compared to those in less sunny areas.
Speaking with your doctors is the best way to better understand how the weather interacts with your body and how your Botox dosage may be altered.
