Wait at least 24 hours after BOTOX® before sunbathing, lounging by the pool, or getting a spray tan. Heat and sun can increase redness, swelling, and bruising while your injection sites heal. After that first day, you can enjoy the sun with good sun protection. Tanning beds aren’t recommended at any time, because UV damage ages your skin and works against the smooth results you’re paying for.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid sunbathing, tanning, and intense heat for at least 24 hours after BOTOX®.
- Spray tans and self-tanners are fine after 24 hours if applied gently, without rubbing treated areas.
- Tanning beds are never a good idea. Dermatologists warn they raise skin cancer risk and speed up skin aging.
- There’s no evidence the sun breaks down BOTOX®, but UV exposure causes the wrinkles and sagging BOTOX® is meant to soften.
- Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your BOTOX® investment.
In This Article
- How Long Should You Wait to Tan After BOTOX®?
- Sunbathing and Beach Days
- Spray Tans and Self-Tanners
- Tanning Beds
- Why Heat and Sun Matter Right After BOTOX®
- Does the Sun Make BOTOX® Wear Off Faster?
- How to Enjoy the Florida Sun After BOTOX®
- Planning BOTOX® Around a Beach Vacation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Protect Your Results With Goldfingers Aesthetics
How Long Should You Wait to Tan After BOTOX®?
Wait 24 hours before sunbathing or spray tanning after BOTOX®, and skip tanning beds altogether.
Sunbathing and Beach Days
Give yourself 24 hours before spending extended time in direct sun. Cleveland Clinic recommends staying out of the sun for a few hours after your injections. Waiting a full day gives any redness or swelling time to settle.
Running errands or walking to your car in the Florida sunshine is fine. Just avoid long stretches at the beach, the pool, or on a boat on treatment day.
Spray Tans and Self-Tanners
Spray tans and self-tanning lotions don’t involve UV rays, so they’re a much safer way to get a glow. Wait at least 24 hours before applying them to your face. When you do, pat or mist the product on rather than rubbing it into treated areas.
Most self-tanners use dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves for external use only. Keep it away from your eyes, lips, and nose, and ask for eye and lip protection at a spray tan salon.
Tanning Beds
Skip tanning beds before and after BOTOX®, and ideally for good. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, indoor tanning can more than double your risk of melanoma. Tanning of any kind also makes wrinkles, age spots, and loss of firmness appear years earlier.
Tanning beds also combine intense UV with heat while you lie flat. That’s a poor combination for fresh injections.
Why Heat and Sun Matter Right After BOTOX®
For the first day after BOTOX®, the goal is to keep your injection sites calm and help the product settle where your injector placed it. Heat dilates blood vessels, which can make redness, swelling, and bruising more noticeable around fresh injection points.
That’s why most providers recommend avoiding these for the first 24 hours:
- Sunbathing and long beach or pool days
- Saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs
- Hot yoga and intense outdoor workouts in peak heat
- Tanning beds
Our BOTOX® aftercare guide covers the full list of what to avoid after treatment.
Does the Sun Make BOTOX® Wear Off Faster?
There’s no good evidence that sunlight breaks down BOTOX® once it’s working in the muscle. BOTOX® relaxes the muscles that cause expression lines, and its effect lasts until the nerve connections gradually recover. According to its FDA prescribing information, that typically takes about three to four months for frown lines.
The sun can still undermine your results in another way. UV exposure damages the skin itself. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that tanning speeds up wrinkles, age spots, and loss of firmness, which are the same signs of aging BOTOX® is meant to soften. BOTOX® can relax a frown line, but it can’t undo sun damage. Protecting your skin keeps your results looking their best for longer.
Learn more about what affects longevity in our guide to how long BOTOX® lasts.
How to Enjoy the Florida Sun After BOTOX®
Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. For the first day after treatment, pat it on instead of rubbing it in.
Reapply when you’re outdoors. Florida sun is strong year-round, so reapply regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.
Choose a wide-brimmed hat. A loose, wide-brimmed hat adds shade for your face. Avoid tight hats and visors that press on your forehead for the first 24 hours.
Wear sunglasses. They protect the delicate skin around your eyes. Choose a pair that rests comfortably without pressing on treated crow’s feet.
Seek shade during peak hours. Plan beach and pool time for the morning or late afternoon when you can.
Be mindful of your skincare. Some active ingredients can make your skin more sensitive. Our guide to using retinol after BOTOX® explains when to restart your routine.
Planning BOTOX® Around a Beach Vacation
If you’re heading somewhere sunny, book BOTOX® about two weeks before your trip. That timing lets your results fully develop, gives any minor bruising time to fade, and means you won’t have to think about aftercare once you’re on the sand.
Flying to your destination? See our guide to flying after BOTOX®. Planning to swim? Read our tips on working out, sweating, and swimming after BOTOX®.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go in the sun right after BOTOX®?
Brief, everyday sun exposure is fine. Avoid sunbathing or spending long periods in direct sun and heat for the first 24 hours, since heat can increase redness and swelling around injection sites.
Can I use a tanning bed after BOTOX®?
It’s best not to. Tanning beds expose your skin to intense UV radiation and heat while you lie flat. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that indoor tanning raises skin cancer risk and speeds up skin aging.
How soon can I get a spray tan after BOTOX®?
Wait at least 24 hours. When you get your spray tan, avoid rubbing your face during application or blending, and protect your eyes, nose, and lips.
Can I sit in a hot tub or sauna after BOTOX®?
Wait at least 24 hours. High heat can increase swelling and flushing around fresh injection sites. After the first day, you can return to your normal routine.
Does sunscreen affect BOTOX®?
No. Sunscreen won’t change how BOTOX® works. Just apply it gently for the first day by patting instead of rubbing, then use it daily to protect your skin.
Can I swim in the ocean after BOTOX®?
Wait 24 hours before swimming, and avoid tight goggles over treated areas on day one. After that, enjoy the water. Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen.
What can mess up BOTOX® results?
In the first few hours, rubbing or pressing on treated areas and lying down too soon can shift BOTOX® before it settles. Over the long term, sun damage, smoking, and skipping maintenance appointments can make your results look less fresh.
Protect Your Results With Goldfingers Aesthetics
You don’t have to give up the Florida sun to enjoy smooth, natural-looking BOTOX® results. Wait 24 hours before tanning, skip tanning beds, and make sunscreen part of your daily routine.
Our experienced injectors create customized BOTOX® treatment plans and can recommend options for lines and wrinkles across the face. Visit a location near you:
You can also find your nearest location or book an appointment online.