If only you could freeze time and stay youthful. Oh wait, you can with preventative botox! Here’s what you need to know about using botox to prevent wrinkles
Nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, like Botox, are all the rage. Last year alone in the United States, Botox injections were given 7.23 million times.
Are you feeling like you need to do something to remain looking young, but you don’t want any invasive surgeries? Preventative Botox might be a good option for you to consider.
Read on for everything you need to know about using Botox to prevent wrinkles.
1. What Is Botox?
Botox is made from Botulinum toxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The bacteria can be found in nature including in lakes, soil, and forests.
Yes, Botox is a toxin, but when used correctly and in extremely small doses, doctors can use it for numerous benefits, both cosmetic and health. In addition to cosmetic uses, Botox injections can be used to treat migraines, eyelid spasms, and some bladder disorders.
2. Why Preventative Botox?
Does Botox prevent wrinkles? The experts say yes. Preventative Botox can be used to prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming or halt minimal early signs of fine lines and wrinkles.
The medical community agrees that repetitive facial movements and expressions, like smiling and squinting, do cause fine lines and wrinkles. Every time you use your facial muscles, grooves are forming under your skin. It’s when your skin begins to age that it loses the flexibility and the wrinkles become permanent.
Using preventative Botox can essentially stop these signs of aging in their tracks. It’s basically getting ahead of the game instead of waiting until you already have the wrinkles and fine lines that you want to get rid of.
If you’re wondering what age is best to start Botox, it depends on the person. Some people start in their mid-twenties, and others come in closer to age thirty. It just depends on how your skin is aging.
The opinion also varies depending on where you decide to go for treatment. Many say the earlier the better, others say you can wait until you see at least some lines sticking around.
3. How Does Botox Work?
Before you get your Botox treatment you will do a consultation. The person performing the procedure should ask you to raise your eyebrows, smile, and perform some other facial movements.
You will also need to take the time to fill out a health assessment. Some antibiotics and over the counter medications should not be taken before getting Botox. You can consult your doctor or the professional performing your treatment for more information about medication use.
When it’s time for treatment, Botox is injected into your affected muscle areas using very fine needles. You can expect minimal discomfort, but this is not a painful procedure.
Botox results typically take three to seven days to take effect. It’s important to understand that, if you get Botox once, the results don’t last forever. Usually, the effects will last from three to four months, and you’ll want to go back in for another treatment.
The Botox basically works by relaxing your muscles, which in turn relaxes your skin, preventing wrinkles.
The treatment is extremely quick in its delivery. You can easily get Botox done over your lunch hour, making it a quick and effective method for preventing wrinkles.
4. Preventative Botox Cost
The cost of Botox will depend on how many units you get. Each unit costs about $10 to $15 on average. For a Botox treatment of your horizontal forehead lines, that could cost about $200 to $300.
Crow’s feet treatments typically require anywhere from 16-24 units, so the cost is comparable forehead treatments.
It’s important to keep in mind that the cost of preventative Botox depends on the number of units you need, your location, and the skill level of the person you’re getting treatment from. Having a qualified professional is essential so don’t cut costs to sacrifice experience.
5. Where Can You Get Botox?
Botox injections have been approved by the FDA for treatment on certain areas of the forehead, including horizontal lines on the top of your forehead, and the glabella, which is also known as the “11s.”
In addition to these forehead areas, the FDA has also approved the lateral canthal lines on the eye area, commonly known as “crow’s feet.”
6. Is Botox Safe?
Botox was approved at the Food and Drug Administration over ten years ago, making it a fairly safe and affordable procedure. There are some potential side effects to be aware of including, swelling, redness, inflammation, and infection.
There’s also something called the “Botox Buzz” that you should be aware of. Sometimes after a treatment between the eyebrows, you can get a temporary surge of dizziness or a headache. This should resolve itself within ten to fifteen minutes.
Those people are who pregnant or breastfeeding or had a previous reaction to the drug should avoid the use of Botox treatments.
However, medical and scientific researchers consider Botox a safe cosmetic procedure, especially when compared to more invasive procedures. A new study revealed that, when you have Botox performed by a board-certified dermatologist, less than one percent of patients experienced any issues.
Schedule Your Botox Appointment Today
Preventative Botox is quick, easy, relatively safe, and proven to be effective in treating and preventing wrinkles. Now that you know all the facts about preventative Botox, you can decide if it’s the right cosmetic procedure for you.
If you have any questions about Botox, or you’d like to schedule an appointment, contact us today.