Preventative Botox may be done to prevent the formation of wrinkles and fine lines, typically in adults in their late twenties. Botox works by blocking the nerve signals that travel to the dynamic muscles involved in facial expression, limiting the repetitive movement and wrinkling of the overlying skin.
Frequency of Botox For Prevention
The number of times an individual needs Botox to prevent wrinkles and fine lines will vary. The general recommendation is once every three to six months. Every person frowns, squints, and smiles in different ways and at varying frequencies. This affects how many repetitive expressions they make on a daily basis and the likelihood of developing wrinkles and fine lines.
A trained Botox injector can help assess the individual’s needs, muscle movement, and skin condition to determine how much Botox is necessary during one session.
Effectiveness of Preventative Botox
Skin care professionals are split on whether preventative Botox is worth the investment for young individuals in their 20s. Young individuals typically have a good reserve of collagen and elastin, which helps to naturally prevent the formation of expressive lines.
Most doctors would recommend a good skin care regimen that includes vitamin A and a retinoid at night, and vitamin B3, vitamin C, and sunscreen use during the day, instead of preventative Botox.
It’s also important to understand that wrinkles aren’t purely a result of dynamic muscle contractions. They may also be caused by sun damage and natural aging. Therefore, protecting the skin and eating a healthy diet could help prevent excessive formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
Though preventative Botox sounds like a good idea, it’s difficult to tell if starting Botox treatment early will have a significant, long-term impact on skin later on. Every person is different and should speak to their chosen skincare professional to see if preventative Botox is right for them.
Preventative Botox may be a good option, however, for individuals with asymmetric muscle overactivity, gummy smiles, or excessive frowning. In these cases, Botox can help retrain the muscles and correct abnormalities in facial expression.
Other Benefits of Preventative Botox
Individuals with skin issues may also benefit from preventative Botox. When Botox is injected into the dermis, treatment can help temporarily reduce the appearance of pores, improve skin texture, and reduce redness of the skin.
Downsides of Preventative Botox
The truth is, excessive use of Botox can actually advance the signs of aging. Too much Botox will progressively weaken and atrophy the injected muscles, and even potentially cause new lines to form.
Another downside to Botox is the risk of using surrounding muscles to make facial expressions, leading to new lines such as bunny lines or under eyelid wrinkling.
This is why it’s important to get treatment from a trained injector who can make sure that the injections are placed and timed correctly.
Alternatives to Preventative Botox
There are many additional ways to naturally slow down the signs of aging for individuals in their late 20s, without needing preventative Botox. Plaza Aesthetics offers facials, microneedling, dermal infusion, and laser treatments to support healthy, glowing skin.
