Men and women have been enjoying the anti-aging benefits of BOTOX Cosmetic at my Wellesley, MA, practice for years. It’s one of the most popular facial rejuvenation treatments worldwide, but it’s recently started gaining a reputation as a preventive treatment as well. More and more people are talking about the proactive power of starting BOTOX young, often as early as your 20s. But does this approach actually work?
In this blog post, I’ll answer this and a few more of the most common questions I hear about preventive BOTOX and its effectiveness.
What is preventive BOTOX?
Preventive BOTOX is an anti-aging approach that involves starting treatments of BOTOX (or alternatives such as Dysport® and XEOMIN®) at the first signs of aging, taking a proactive approach to treating dynamic wrinkles. While the traditional approach to BOTOX treats existing wrinkles by relaxing them, preventive BOTOX aims to treat these wrinkles by preventing them from developing in the first place.
The preventive approach is popular among younger men and women who are looking to preserve their smooth, youthful appearance for as long as possible. It’s one of the procedures behind the growing “Instagram face” trend, which you can learn more about in my previous blog post.
What are dynamic wrinkles?
Dynamic wrinkles are lines in the skin caused by repeated muscle contractions. Think frowning (vertical “11s” between the eyebrows), squinting (crow’s feet along the outer corners of the eyes), or raising your eyebrows (horizontal forehead lines).
As you make natural facial expressions repeatedly over the years, these lines become more deeply etched into your skin. Injecting BOTOX early on to relax and lessen these recurring contractions keeps your skin smoother for longer.
Does preventive BOTOX actually work?
Yes. Preventive BOTOX works because it stops dynamic wrinkles before they begin. By limiting the time your muscles spend contracting to form these lines, BOTOX proactively delays signs of aging and preserves your skin at its youngest and smoothest point. This reduces the need for corrective procedures later in life.
When is the best time to start preventive BOTOX?
There is no set age to start preventive BOTOX, though people commonly start in their late 20s. The best time to start is when you notice dynamic wrinkles remaining in your skin even when your face is relaxed. It’s normal to notice lines when you squint, frown, or raise your eyebrows. However, if you still see these lines when your face relaxes into a neutral expression, it may be a good time to consider scheduling a consultation.
Is preventive BOTOX cost-effective?
Maintaining youthful, smooth skin is typically more cost-effective than restoring it after signs of aging have developed. You may be able to save money by delaying or even preventing the need for more intensive corrective procedures later on, from laser treatments to brow lift or eyelid surgery.
To see examples of the results you can expect after a BOTOX treatment at my practice, please visit our before-and-after photo gallery.
If you would like to learn more about BOTOX treatments here in the Boston area, please contact us online or call (781) 237-7700.
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