Should You Get Preventative Botox?

For many, it all starts with a faint line on the forehead. This is the moment when people realize they are, in fact, aging, and youthfulness will not last forever. However, aging is not a sentence to deep wrinkles, sagging cheeks, and loose skin. With the right skincare routine and the guidance of a qualified medical professional, you can enjoy healthy-looking skin for many years. Preventative Botox proves that the sooner we start taking care of our skin, the longer we will keep our youthful appearance. 

What is Botox?

Botox or the botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein derived from Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium present naturally in soil, lakes, and forests. The toxin is used to temporarily paralyze muscles when injected. While the bacterium can be extremely toxic when an individual is exposed to a high amount, the toxin is absolutely safe when injected in small doses by a board-certified dermatologist.

Botox can be used to treat various medical conditions, including eyelid spasms, chronic migraines, excessive sweating, and overactive bladder, but the toxin has gained its worldwide reputation as a wrinkle relaxer treatment. Used as a magical wand to wipe off wrinkles from the faces of celebrities, Botox started as a cosmetic procedure reserved exclusively for the rich and famous.

Only recently, Botox has become a popular cosmetic procedure accessible to the general public. More and more people opt for Botox in an effort to ward off wrinkles and keep their youthful look for as long as possible. While up until a few years ago, Botox was thought to be a tool reserved only for people in their late 30s or older, the age that people get Botox has begun to shift.

What is preventative Botox?

You probably always assumed that Botox injections are an option for later in life when you can no longer deny the existence of aging signs. You are only in your twenties now, so is it really necessary to worry about wrinkles? The mirror might say not yet, but nature says maybe. Fine lines are already there even if you can't see them, and wrinkles are waiting to emerge. Wrinkle creams and applying sunscreen may contribute to wrinkle prevention, but they can only do so much. 

Preventative Botox is a good ally for young people who want to prevent wrinkles or at least postpone noticeable wrinkles longer. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists in the US have noticed an increased demand for Botox from people in their late twenties, and even people in their mid-twenties. As people are becoming more aware of the importance of self-care and start prioritizing their well-being, Botox treatments don't seem like such a far-fetched idea anymore for young people.

The repetitive movement of our facial muscles will eventually turn into expression lines. These types of wrinkles are what the experts call dynamic wrinkles, a natural consequence of our daily facial muscle activity. Laugh lines, forehead wrinkles, and the “11” lines between eyebrows are different from static wrinkles caused by aging. Preventative Botox helps you intervene fast to prevent dynamic wrinkles from becoming deep lines and delays the appearance of noticeable wrinkles.

How does preventative Botox work?

Preventative Botox works pretty much the same way any Botox treatment plan works, with the only difference being that it requires smaller doses. The toxin is mixed with a saline solution and injected into certain areas of your face. The goal is to relax the muscles in the treated areas and prevent them from moving and causing wrinkles. Preventing muscle movements in the areas where we usually develop wrinkles later in life, such as around the mouth, eyes, and eyebrows, slows down the development of wrinkles.

Preventative Botox is often used to prevent the appearance of forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet, and, in general, dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movements. While no cosmetic procedure can permanently ward off wrinkles, preventative Botox can help stop them in their tracks by freezing the muscles and their movement. 

Using preventative Botox for your horizontal lines on the forehead, around the sides of the mouth, and on the sides of your nose, you'll be one step ahead of the aging process and avoid having to use high doses of Botox when wrinkles do make an appearance. 

How young is too young for preventative Botox?

There is no ideal age for when you should start considering preventative Botox. The rule is that faint lines are future wrinkles. So, as soon as you notice faint lines caused by facial movements, you can schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon or dermatologist to discuss the possibility of a Botox injection treatment plan.

The FDA has approved Botox for patients who are 18 years and older. Most dermatologists agree that teenagers should not get Botox even if they notice faint lines. Botox at a very young age is never a good idea, but once you hit that 30th milestone, you're good to go for sure. Preventative Botox administered in the mid to late 20s is also not a bad idea if you already notice that your facial expressions are starting to leave their traces on your face.

Fine lines will always be the best clue that you can intervene if you want to combat the appearance of wrinkles. One of the best things about preventative Botox is that it can help you keep future doses to a minimum because the treatment keeps the muscles weak and lasts longer. This also means you'll need fewer treatments when you get old, unlike people who decide to use Botox when the wrinkles are already formed.

Is preventative Botox safe?

Botox is an FDA-approved treatment for wrinkles and a viable option for people aged 18 or older. Moreover, the procedure is not painful, and most patients associate Botox injections with the sensation of a pinprick. The medical professional performing the treatment can apply a topical anesthetic to help reduce the pain to a minimum.

Botox has a stellar safety record for the prevention and treatment of wrinkles, but, as with any cosmetic treatment, there are some potential side effects patients should be aware of. Most risks are associated with an inadequate dosage performed by an inexperienced or non-certified medical professional. Incorrect dosage or the wrong placement may lead to a frozen expression, heavy eyebrows, or a pinched smile. Some patients have also reported headaches, sinus inflammation, dry eyes, and swelling at the site of the injection.

When administered by board-certified dermatologists, preventative Botox helps patients have smoother skin while keeping their natural appearance unchanged. Not everyone with fine lines needs Botox. Also, the treatment may make you feel good about your appearance, but it's not a way to prevent aging. Aging is a natural and beautiful experience you should embrace and accept gladly. If you use your sunscreen and moisturizers and rely on Botox only when needed and reasonably, you'll prevent wrinkles and enjoy a youthful appearance longer.

Preventative Botox in Tampa

Prime Aesthetica is the number 1 medical spa in Tampa Bay. We combine the latest technology, the highest quality injectables and the absolute best medical team to deliver unparalleled results. When you contact us you don't just get access to the finest treatments, you also receive our expertise. During your consultation we'll review lifestyle, skin type, medical history, etc. to determine if preventative Botox or another treatment will better serve to achieve your goals. If you're in the Tampa Bay area, visit us to learn how we can help.