How to Use Botox for Wrinkle Prevention

Oftentimes when we think about Botox, we think about how it can smooth out our wrinkles and tighten our skin to reduce sagging and drooping. But what we sometimes forget is that Botox can be used as a preventative treatment as well. Before you even begin battling with deep wrinkles, crow’s feet, and other fine lines, when properly administered, Botox can essentially train the skin to prevent the appearance of wrinkles.

Understanding Botox

Thanks to its amazing before and after results, Botox is inarguably the most performed cosmetic surgery in the United States, with 7.7 million procedures performed in 2019 alone, according to that year’s APSP report.

Botox is actually the brand name of a drug that is made from a toxin created by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Though this toxin causes the potentially deadly botulism, in small doses, Botox successfully treats conditions including neck spasm, hyperhidrosis, and even severe migraines.

Yet, its effects on the skin that make it a popular cosmetic solution.

How Botox Works

Botox is a neurotoxin injection, meaning it essentially works to paralyze the nerves at the injection site. When the nerves are paralyzed, the muscles in the surrounding area completely relax. Keep in mind that wrinkles are created when the muscle in the face is contracted; in other words, when you make a facial expression. With these repeated contractions, or when you make the same facial expression over and over (e.g, smile, frown, squint, etc.), wrinkles develop on the face and as time passes, these wrinkles and fine lines get deeper and deeper. This is where Botox comes into play. A licensed dermatologist will inject Botox into the area affected by wrinkles and paralyzes the muscle. When the muscle is paralyzed, you are unable to make the facial expression that caused the wrinkle, thus temporarily smoothing them out.

Using Botox to Prevent Wrinkles

Now that you have an idea of how Botox smooths out existing wrinkles, you’re probably wondering just how it can be used to prevent them. Remember, wrinkles are caused by repeated facial expressions which is why wrinkles become deeper and more apparent as we age. What we’re seeing is years of expressive living. Now, imagine if you could train your face to limit these expressions before they become problematic.

That’s exactly what Botox does. Preventative Botox relaxes the facial nerves and prevents the muscles from contracting, so as you go on about your day, you are less likely to make expressions that can lead to wrinkles.

Who Is the Best Candidate for Preventative Botox?

Ideally, preventative Botox is best suited for younger individuals in their early to late 30s. This is the perfect age range because at this stage, individuals are just beginning to develop fine lines. This serves as a guideline for dermatologists. Injections around these areas will keep the lines faint and hard to see. Most importantly, injections near these lines can prevent them from worsening and becoming deep wrinkles.

If you are wondering, “where can I get Botox near me?” and you’re in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, just reach out to our experts at The Dermatology Group to receive more tips, advice, and resources. Give us a call today!