As many states reopened this summer and the rules for self-isolation began to relax, the desire to get an injectable touch up and also get out of the house seemed to have synchronized for many patients after a long quarantine. The timing might be great to get a little more color on the cheeks while smoothing lines and wrinkles, but is it even safe to get injections and double down on the time spent outdoors? We asked the pros if dips in the pool and days at the beach would cause neurotoxins and fillers to fade away faster.
Neurotoxins
“The simple answer is no,” says Miami plastic surgeon Sean Simon, MD. “Frequent sun exposure will not directly affect neurotoxin effectiveness or its duration of action. However, good advice for all patients receiving neurotoxin and filler treatments is to limit sun exposure in all areas, not just treated ones, for general protection of the skin from the sun’s deleterious aging effects.”
Hyaluronic Acid Filler
Greenwich, CT dermatologist Lynne Haven, MD says there’s no evidence that fillers fade any faster after sun exposure, but also advises a good sun protection plan to avoid the need for more product down the line: “There should not be any differences in the results or longevity of fillers due to sun exposure, however, the overall cosmetic outcome will be enhanced with a good program of sun protection. We often observe that people with significant sun damage may require more fillers for a good outcome.”
When to Take Cover
Although the sun may not speed up the break down of Botox and fillers, there are times the sun exposure should be avoided at all costs after an injectable treatment. Dr. Simon advises to definitely stay out of the sun if there is bruising or swelling at the injection site until it resolves. “Also, if peels or lasers were done at the same time as the injections, it would be crucial to avoid any sun exposure for a period afterward,” adds Dr. Haven.
What to Do Before Going Outside
First and foremost, Dr. Simon says to follow the three Ps: protection, protection, protection. In addition to using a high-quality UVA- and UVB-blocking sunscreen, Dr. Haven also recommends adding a topical antioxidant to boost the effectiveness of the sunscreen: “I like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic vitamin C serum. It’s a great addition for people who have a lot of sun exposure whether recreationally or professionally.”
