Does Preventative BOTOX® Make Sense?
As more of us look for ways to live longer and to remain vital into older age, younger people are exploring ways to maintain healthy skin and to prevent some of the skin damage that occurs naturally due to the aging process and due to certain lifestyle choices. As with most things in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To understand if there is value in preventative BOTOX® you need to understand how BOTOX® works to address fine lines, wrinkles, and other visible signs of aging.
What Is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is derived from a naturally occurring bacterium found in soil, lakes, and forests. This bacterium produces a botulinum neurotoxin that, when injected, blocks the chemical signals that tell your muscles to contract. When used medically, BOTOX® can stop impaired muscle and nerve function to address such conditions as TMJ dysfunction, lazy eye, and excessive sweating. When used in cosmetic applications, BOTOX® will weaken targeted muscles, such as those around the eyes, to prevent them from contracting and causing wrinkles.
How Does BOTOX® Treat Wrinkles?
Wrinkles form due to natural and continued movements of muscle groups in our faces. When we smile, laugh, frown, or furrow our brow in concentration, certain muscles contract. Over time, there is a cumulative effect to this repeated movement and lines can start to form. Wrinkles also form due to gravity and a loss of elasticity in our skin as we age.
Because BOTOX® relaxes the muscles and inhibits contractions, skin will appear smoother and the lasting, cumulative wrinkling will be prevented. The effects of BOTOX® last 3-6 months for most patients and so, over that time, the formation of wrinkles is restricted.
BOTOX® isn’t just for wrinkles.
For approved, alternative uses of BOTOX® read 6 Alternative Yet Effective Uses for BOTOX®.
So… Can BOTOX® Work Preventatively?
BOTOX® will slow down the use of the targeted muscles. As a preventative treatment, BOTOX® can actually retrain your face muscles to avoid habitual movements that cause wrinkles like squinting and scowling. When injected before wrinkles appear, BOTOX® will keep those muscles weak and prevent them from contracting and causing wrinkles to form. This will also mean that those targeted muscle groups will require less BOTOX® later on.
So the simple answer is: yes. BOTOX® can be used as a preventative measure to stop wrinkles before they form. But before you decide that preventative BOTOX® is right for you, there are a couple of things to consider:
- Too Much BOTOX®, Too Soon Is Not A Good Thing: The muscles in our face give us structure and expression. Overuse of BOTOX® can cause muscle atrophy making you look older, earlier. A skilled plastic surgeon will be able to use the correct dosage, at the right frequency, in the most effective treatment areas to get you the results that you want for the long term.
- BOTOX® Doesn’t Fix All Wrinkles: Wrinkles caused by sun damage or poor lifestyle choices cannot necessarily be treated with BOTOX®. Other preventative anti-aging methods like sun protection, healthy eating, and proper skin care will help you optimize anti-aging efforts. There are also complementary treatments like tissue fillers to address the visible signs of aging that BOTOX® cannot treat. For more information on tissue fillers read Everything You Need To Know About Tissue Fillers.
- There Is No Magic Age To Prevent All Wrinkles: You may be genetically predisposed to certain types of wrinkles, like the dreaded “11s”. You may naturally have a very expressive face that is more likely to have noticeable wrinkling earlier. You might spend a lot of time outdoors and have a tendency to squint against the bright sun. You may prefer to sip all of your beverages through a straw making you more susceptible to developing fine lip lines. There is no hard and fast rule about what age to start BOTOX® to avoid wrinkles and fine lines. The best strategy is to have a discussion with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon about which preventative skin care treatments and lifestyle habits will help you look and feel your very best for a long, long time.
Preventative BOTOX® Results At Alberta Plastic Surgery
BOTOX® is a completely safe and extremely effective treatment to target existing fine lines and wrinkles and to prevent the formation of new ones. When combined with a comprehensive routine of good lifestyle habits, healthy eating, sun protection, and excellent skin care, preventative BOTOX® can keep your face looking radiant and youthful as you age. An insightful conversation with your plastic surgeon can help you determine which treatments and which schedule of treatments are right for you.
If you are considering preventative BOTOX® to fight wrinkles and fine lines before they appear, the team at Alberta Plastic Surgery can guide you in exploring your options for all surgical and non-surgical anti-aging treatments. Book your complimentary consultation today.
Dr. Adil Ladak is a board-certified and top surgeon in Edmonton, Alberta, and is highly skilled in cosmetic plastic surgery and other non-surgical rejuvenating cosmetic procedures. Dr. Ladak is a fully qualified Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons and his team is committed to providing patients with the facts and education to make the most informed decisions about their appearance and health. To explore all of your options to help you feel and look your best, visit Alberta Plastic Surgery in Edmonton by booking your complimentary consultation. Call us at (780) 407-6691 or fill out the form below.
FAQ
Q: How much BOTOX® will I need?
A: The amount of BOTOX® required for effective and optimal results is different for everyone. Some factors that will influence the correct BOTOX® dosage for you include: metabolism, scope of wrinkling, gender, size of treatment area, muscle strength, and your goals for treatment. At your complimentary consultation, your plastic surgeon will ask you about your desired outcomes and use these factors to determine the ideal dosage for you.
Q: Does BOTOX® hurt?
A: BOTOX® injections do not normally hurt, but some patients are uncomfortable with needles so a topical numbing lotion can be applied prior to treatment.
Q: How young is too young for BOTOX®?
A: BOTOX® is approved for cosmetic treatment for patients over the age of 18. But that doesn’t mean that anyone over 18 should seek BOTOX® treatment. If you are interested in preventative BOTOX®, book a consultation with Dr. Ladak to discuss your anti-aging goals, to determine if preventative BOTOX® is the right choice for you, and what schedule of treatment will yield the results you want.
