In your 20s and 30s, you may begin to see faint wrinkle lines appear on your face. In these circumstances, you may think: “how soon is too soon for treatment?” Stopping the signs of aging can become a top priority for a lot of women. As you age, wrinkles, crows feet, sunspots, and other marks on the skin can lead to lowered self-esteem and become a source of everyday stress. Before this can occur, some women choose to get in front of the issue with preventative Botox. This treatment stops the development of wrinkles on the forehead, near the eyes and around the mouth, for example, in its tracks. As the most frequently used cosmetic procedure in the United States, with very high proven success rates, preventative Botox is used by many women to do just that.

What is preventative Botox?

Plastic surgeons use preventative botox to prevent wrinkles in their patients. These injections are a proven solution to visible signs of aging on the skin and have been used for over 20 years. Botox (botulinum toxin) is injected into the targeted treatment areas. Different than the typical use of this treatment, preventative botox starts before any wrinkles or fine lines in the face are visible.

How does it work?

Botox injections target the muscles of facial expression by blocking the nerve signals to those muscles. This is helpful because the majority of wrinkles are caused by repetitive movement of those muscles. As a result, these injections limit those expressions to potentially prevent wrinkles. It is important to note that Botox works differently than dermal fillers, which inject a gel or collagen substitutes to make your skin appear more firm.

In short, Botox relaxes the muscles underneath your skin by blocking the nerve responses that tell your face to make certain expressions.

Am I a Good Candidate for Preventative Botox?

People in their mid-to-late 20s or even early 30s are good candidates for this treatment. If fine lines are just beginning to appear on your skin, this is the best time for this treatment. After the lines are more visible, they become set in your skin. At this point, Botox is still an option, however, more injections may be required to achieve the desired effect.

What to expect after the procedure

Recovery after Botox injections is typically quick. Within 30 minutes or so, any bumps at the site of your treatment should start to subside. You’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise and not lie down for a few hours while the injections begin to settle into your skin. You may also notice some bruising. You should see the treatment begin to work between four to seven days after injection.

In the days after your treatment, you’ll notice that your muscles are tighter and your fine lines are less prominent. The results of preventative Botox are not permanent. For most people, the effect of Botox injections starts to disappear after twelve weeks. You won’t need to make lifestyle changes following treatment, but you may want to schedule touch-up appointments every three months or so.

It’s possible that preventative Botox will mean you need less Botox in the future. Since preventative Botox is fairly new, we don’t know much about how long Botox can stave off wrinkles and keep them from appearing. Since results aren’t permanent, chances are you’ll just need to continue treatments to keep wrinkles from showing up, the same way you would with any kind of Botox.

Fast facts about preventative botox

  • Preventative Botox consists of cosmetic facial injections that keep wrinkles from appearing.
  • Botox is safe for most people as long as it’s administered by a trained provider. Common side effects include pain, swelling, and bruising at the site of injection. In rare cases, Botox can be toxic and lead to muscle weakness and other complications.
  • For preventative Botox, it’s highly recommended that you go to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who’s trained in Botox injection rather than a day spa or clinic.
  • Botox isn’t covered by insurance. This treatment can cost between $400 to $700 per treatment, depending on many different variables.
  • Preventative Botox effectiveness varies. It can’t stop wrinkles from appearing in the long term, but it can prevent you from seeing them too soon.

Dr. Anthony Berlet Can Help You!

For over 20 years, Dr. Berlet has helped women in the northern New Jersey and New York City areas overcome their cosmetic concerns. Preventative botox and other injectables are a great minimally invasive way to stop signs of aging before they truly take hold. If you think that this solution might be right for you, reach out to our team of experts today to learn more! You can schedule a consultation and Dr. Berlet will walk you through all of your cosmetic surgery options.