Botox continues to be one of the most popular plastic surgery treatments in the US, and for good reason. It can help with fine lines, crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, and the dreaded “11” lines between each eyebrow.
Not only does it have cosmetic purposes, but Botox can also be used for things like treating migraines, teeth grinding and excessive sweating. For something that is relatively inexpensive and done quickly inside your doctor’s office, Botox packs a punch.
More recently, young people are using Botox as a preventative measure to stop the aging process in its tracks. If you’re wondering when to start Botox, you’re in the right place. Read on and we’ll tell you what you need to know about preventative Botox in Gainesville.
It’s important to understand how Botox works so you can be fully informed about how preventative Botox will work.
Botox is a neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinum, which is a bacterium. It’s naturally found in soil, lakes, and forests, and it’s extremely toxic if you are exposed to too much of it. If the concentration is too high, it could result in botulism, which is a life-threatening illness.
This is why it’s so important that you get Botox treatments from a trained professional. They are knowledgeable about the appropriate dosage and know where to inject the Botox to alleviate wrinkles.
To create Botox to inject, the powder is mixed with a saline solution and then injected into certain areas to weaken the muscles. This is how it works to reduce wrinkles. By weakening the muscles, Botox prevents them from moving and causing wrinkles.
Most people wait until they start to see wrinkles before they seek Botox treatment, but preventative treatment uses Botox to treat wrinkles before they emerge. By injecting the muscles that typically cause wrinkles around the mouth, eyes, and eyebrows with Botox before they start to develop wrinkles, you are essentially preventing them before they happen.
The Botox slows down the use of those muscles, preventing lines from developing (or at least delaying the development of the lines). One of the most common places for preventative Botox is to the forehead and glabellar area. Preventative Botox can prevent deep lines, which can make you look older and tired and are harder to treat once they develop
If you’re looking for a hard and fast rule about when to start Botox, we’re going to disappoint you, because there isn’t one. Although many people start getting preventive treatments in their 20s and 30s, there’s no one “magic” age when you should start getting it.
Instead, you should focus on your skin and its issues. Once you start noticing fine lines beginning to start, that’s when you should consider Botox. If you want to prevent the earliest fine lines from becoming full-blown wrinkles, preventative Botox can be the solution.
Botox is approved for patients who are 18 years and older and most experts agree that patients in their mid to late 20s and early 30s are at a good age for preventative Botox treatment. It’s unlikely that you’ll have enough lines to worry about earlier than your mid to late 20s, so any earlier than then is probably unnecessary.
Again, there’s no hard and fast rule about when you should start Botox, but earlier than your mid-20s is probably too early. Certain wrinkles are often genetic, so once you start noticing fine lines that mimic what you see in your older relatives, you might seek treatment.
A doctor can usually tell if you need preventative Botox simply by looking at your face. If you purse your lips, furrow your brow, or your face is in a permanent frown, they can identify the areas to inject. This helps train your facial muscles to no longer fall into that habit, preventing the formation of deeper or more noticeable wrinkles.
The nice thing about preventative Botox is that it helps keep the muscle weak which means you do not need as much Botox as the older you get. Your Botox will last longer and need fewer treatments, as it doesn’t last forever, especially if it’s effective in preventing your wrinkles.
In fact, too much Botox can actually make you look older. Overuse could result in atrophy of your muscles, especially the ones around your eyes, so don’t overdo it, or the results will be the opposite of what you want.
It’s also important to note that Botox won’t work for all wrinkles though. If your face is wrinkled due to sun damage or an unhealthy lifestyle, Botox can’t help you. You need to do your part to prevent sun damage, eat healthily, and take care of your skin to prevent these types of wrinkles. Botox is meant for wrinkles that you are genetically predisposed to.
Finally, Botox is convenient and affordable. Your appointment will last between 15 and 20 minutes and you’ll be on your way back to work or school. On the second Friday of each month, we have “Botox Day” where you can receive a discount on your Botox units.
Although we can’t give you a definitive age when to start Botox, we hope this gives you a better understanding of who preventative Botox can work for and when it’s a good idea.
If you want to learn more or see if you’re a good candidate for Botox, get in touch today to schedule a free consultation.
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