If you’ve done even a limited amount of research on how Botox works, then it should be easy to understand why so many people use it not just to treat existing wrinkles, but to prevent future ones as well.
Botox removes “dynamic wrinkles” by blocking the signal that tells the muscles to contract. This temporary paralysis of facial muscles causes wrinkles to relax and soften. And because prolonged dynamic wrinkling leads to “static wrinkles,” it makes sense that if you freeze the muscles before they cause wrinkles in the first place, those wrinkles will never form, right?
Simple answer: yes.
Botox treatments help prevent the formation of fine lines and the deepening of existing wrinkles. Taking these proactive efforts can save you the time, money, and the hassle of more invasive procedures down the line. And this, of course, begs the question of when to begin your preventative Botox treatments.
At what age should you begin preventative Botox treatment?
Here’s the long and short of it: Age is irrelevant when it comes to preventative Botox treatment. Most medical professionals recommend Botox according to what they see on a patient’s face, not the patient’s age. This is because each person’s habits and lifestyle determine whether their dynamic wrinkles become static earlier or later. For example, a 28-year-old smoker with a hyper-expressive face may see the formation of wrinkles sooner than a 38-year-old with less active facial muscles and a healthier lifestyle.
As a general rule, the best age to begin preventative Botox treatment is when your dynamic wrinkles start to stick: when your crows’ feet remain even after you’ve stopped smiling or your elevens stay put even after you stop scrunching your face at a bad smell. That age could be earlier or later, depending on:
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Habits and lifestyle: Those in the habit of squinting a lot will likely develop crow’s feet at an earlier age. Frowners may develop early frown lines. Drinking through a straw and smoking will both cause fine lines around the mouth.
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General facial muscle activity: People with hyper-expressive faces tend to develop more wrinkles earlier because their facial muscles are always on the move.
Why wait until the dynamic wrinkles begin to stick?
We understand that the idea of staving off all wrinkles is more appealing than treating them once they show up. But hear us out. When we say, “once your dynamic wrinkles start to stick,” we don’t mean waiting until they’re deep and noticeable from a distance. We just mean waiting until those wrinkles start to show themselves and threaten to stick around. Believe it or not, starting your preventative Botox treatments unnecessarily early could actually age your face in other ways.
One of the upsides of preventative Botox treatments is that over time, they can begin to atrophy the muscles responsible for your dynamic wrinkles, resulting in the need for less frequent treatments down the road. But the downside is that when those muscles atrophy, it can cause less volume in your complexion as well as a heavier brow, both of which can lead to a more aged look.
In other words, you want to choose the “just right” time to begin your preventative Botox treatments, and we can help.
Let’s talk about when to begin your preventative Botox treatments!
At SD Body Contouring, we believe in the art of beauty. It’s not paint-by-numbers, and there is no single formula that works for everyone. If you’re considering any kind of cosmetic procedure, the best thing you can do for yourself is to consult with someone who has a solid reputation in the industry. Dr. Sarosy and Dr. Powell both specialize in cosmetic surgery, and both have worked in the industry for decades. They can help you determine the best procedures to meet your beauty goals. At SD Body Contouring, we pride ourselves in helping people feel great about the way they look. If you have questions about any cosmetic procedure, including preventative Botox treatments, give us a call to schedule a free consultation today.
