Use of Botox is typically associated with men and women around age 50 and older who want to have a more youthful appearance. However, Botox treatments are becoming more popular among younger people in their late 20s and 30s who want to prevent wrinkles before they start. So that may leave you wondering: Is preventative Botox® worth the hype?
Everyone’s face wrinkles while making certain facial expressions. Think about the crow’s feet you might get from squinting or laugh lines around the mouth. Younger people will see those wrinkles disappear when their face is at rest. However, as we age, those wrinkles will still be visible even while our faces are resting. This is when many people start to consider Botox.
As a plastic surgery office, we wanted to give you the facts about preventative Botox and help you decide if it’s worth pursuing.
What Is Botox?
Botox has become a household name since it was introduced in 2002 because of its success in reducing facial wrinkles. Botox is actually the brand name of botulinum toxin type A, which may sound dangerous, but the type A strain of this toxin is meticulously purified in a laboratory setting to be 100% free of bacteria and safe for use.
When Is Preventative Botox Worth It?
Facial muscles are like any other muscle. The more they work, the more defined they will be. By getting Botox early, you prevent your face muscles from “working out” when you frown, smile, laugh, or squint. So in that way, getting Botox early is preferable because it’s easier to treat and prevent fine lines than it is to reverse deeply set wrinkles.
“The best time to start preventative Botox treatments is when you first see wrinkles even while your face is at rest,” says Dr. Fodero. “For some people, this can be as young as age 25, for others it could be their mid-30s.”
It’s also important to consider genetics as well. For example, if you see that a grandparent has a deep forehead line, and your parent has the same, preventative Botox may be worth considering.
And there’s no need to think that starting Botox earlier in life will put you on a path to Botox dependency. In fact, starting Botox at a younger age often means you’ll require fewer injections and can go longer between treatments as you age.
When Is Preventative Botox Not an Option?
Of course, preventative Botox isn’t for everyone. For example, if you are a young person with no signs of wrinkles, then there’s no need for Botox.
There are better ways to prevent wrinkles from forming than going straight for an injectable treatment. In fact, everyone can benefit from these skin-care tips:
If, after taking many or all of these measures, you see wrinkles forming, then talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Fodero to find out if you’re a candidate for Botox treatments.
Northeastern Plastic Surgery understands your desire for a beautiful, youthful looking body and facial appearance. We use the latest plastic surgery techniques to perform a variety of surgical procedures. Dr. Fodero and the staff are very friendly, helpful, and available to answer any questions you may have about the procedures we offer. We strive to ensure that your experience with us is positive. Please contact us today to learn more about the services we offer.
