Preventative Botox - What is It and What You Need to Know

While the impact of the aging process on your appearance might not be something you enjoy viewing, it is important to remember that wrinkles and fine lines are a natural part of life that happens to everyone. Even though these facial conditions are something you should expect, you might want to enjoy a complexion that is smooth, youthful, and free of wrinkles and fine lines. In order to achieve this goal, many people turn to Botox to give them a rejuvenated look to the face. According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures that is currently being performed in the United States. The organization reports that over 4-million people have used this treatment to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on their face. In addition, there are some younger patients who are turning to Botox to try and prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles before they appear in a procedure known as “Preventative Botox.”

Before we discuss the reasons behind the procedure, here is Cosmetic Town TV examining whether or not the treatment is worth it:

Botox Use Bounces Back from COVID-19

It is true that Botox is still a very popular treatment, and this has been proven by the increase in its use over the past couple of years. The use of Botox dipped from 2019 to 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions related to the performance of cosmetic procedures. Once the use of Botox was allowed again on a regular basis, its use grew by a staggering 459% from 2000 to the year 2020.

There was a survey published back in 2005, by the Aesthetic Surgery Education & Research Foundation, which showed female patients in their 40s and 50s were the largest users of Botox (in an age range between the ages of 36 and 60). These women used Botox in order to “look more relaxed.” As mentioned above, there is now a growing number of younger female patients who are using Botox to try and prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

Preventative Botox Examined

Botox is considered to be a purified, cosmetic form of botulinum toxin and, even though it is known as a toxin, there are some positive benefits that can come from its use when it is administered in small doses. These small doses can be used to treat multiple medical conditions such as excessive sweating, migraines, and wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles that can cause them to appear on the face.

In general, Botox is a neuromodulator with a purpose of relaxing the muscles that cause the formation of lines from repeated movements on the face. If you want to avoid the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. you will need to have multiple/repeated treatments as the results of Botox are not permanent. The treatment reduces and prevents the appearance of lines on the forehead along with the two vertical lines that are located between the eyebrows (the glabellar lines/frown lines or the “11 lines”).

Now that you know what Botox can accomplish, why are so many younger patients rushing to have the treatment even though they might not really need it? According to professional Botox providers, the treatment can soften the look of wrinkles as well as prevent the early onset or appearance of fine lines.

In other words, Botox is no longer a procedure of choice for patients who are approaching middle age. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that the use of Botox by patients in their twenties has increased by 28% since the year 2010.

Another reason younger patients are happy to have Botox placed in the face is the fact that it is a relatively affordable treatment that does not require a long-term commitment. If the patient is not happy with the results of the treatment, the results will resolve on their own within four to six months and the person will be back to where they started before they had the Botox injections.

In addition, having a Botox treatment earlier in life means the wrinkles are not as deep as they are in older patients so less Botox will be needed in the targeted area on the face. As a person ages, the wrinkles get deeper and that means it takes a greater amount of Botox to treat them. Plus, Botox can also help to minimize the pores of a person and give the patient a better texture to the skin. This can improve the quality of the skin by making the pores less noticeable on the face.

If you are interested in having Botox (at any age), schedule an appointment with an experienced and board-certified physician who can answer any questions you have and also provide the quality results you desire when it comes to reducing fine lines and wrinkles or preventing them from appearing on the face.

- MA