Botox for Wrinkle Prevention: Starting Early for Long-Term Aesthetic Benefits

Midtown Dermatology, serving Tulsa, OK, and the surrounding region, has Dr. Lynn Anderson, Dr. Kristen Rice, Dr. Jacqueline Guidry, and Dr. Michelle Walters, all board-certified dermatologists who can provide Botox. While it's mainly used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, we can use it as preventative care. Here's how.

When to Start Preventative Botox Injections

For wrinkle prevention, the best age to start Botox is in your 20s or 30s, usually 25 or older.

Some people opt to begin Botox before they notice even the faintest of lines on their faces. Others start when they see lines or wrinkles just starting.

How Botox Can Prevent Wrinkles

Typically, when we administer Botox to our patients, we're helping individuals who already have wrinkles and fine lines to reverse the signs of aging. Sometimes, at this point, the lines are hard to smooth out with Botox. While this treatment is powerful, injecting too much can cause you to have a fake look, when your muscles don't appear as they're moving whenever you laugh or smile. 

However, whenever you choose to start Botox early, you prevent the wrinkles from occurring. The substance will weaken the facial muscles. As a result, they won't move as much whenever you smile, chew, or partake in other activities that engage these muscles. Then, the wrinkles won't appear as early or as intense as you age. 

The treatment doesn't prevent all wrinkles from forming nor does it stop the aging process. Instead, you're slowing down the process so you stay looking younger longer without having a look as if you had work done. 

Dosage and Frequency Recommendations

There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to preventative Botox injections. Our Tulsa, OK, dermatologist from our practice will first ask you questions about your goals and assess your facial structure.

Then, we'll create a care plan especially for your needs. We should note, though, that the dosage of Botox given for wrinkle prevention is lower than when we provide it as a wrinkle reduction treatment.

The frequency we usually recommend is every 12 to 18 weeks. However, you may want it less frequently, which is fine. It'll still help to slow visible signs of aging on your face.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Botox for wrinkles in 2002. 

While it's possible to have side effects, they're usually mild and temporary. Examples include:

• Bruising, pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site 
• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms

If you'd like to slow the hands of time, Dr. Rice, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Guidry, and Dr. Walters of Midtown Dermatology in Tulsa, OK, can help with preventative Botox.

Call our office at (918) 728-3100 today.