If you’ve ever been on social media and seen a 22-year-old influencer freaking out about her recent Botox® injections, you might be wondering, “Wait… Isn’t that for wrinkles?”
Yes. Yes it is. But while Botox injections were primarily sought after by people who already had wrinkles, these days, more and more younger people are asking for it too. Their reason? Prevention wrinkles.
But does it work? And is it worth it? Plastic Surgeons James Zins, MDweighs in on the preventative botox trend and whether it’s something you should try.
How does preventive Botox work?
The idea is to use Botox (botulinum toxin) injections. to stop wrinkles from appearing in the first place. But to understand how this might work, you first need to understand a few things about wrinkles in general and about the science behind Botox injections.
facial wrinkles they occur as a result of muscle contractions and gravity. Your facial muscles contract whenever you smile, frown, squint, or make other facial expressions. As you age, the combination of repetitive muscle contractions and good old gravity leads to—you guessed it—wrinkles.
But Botox relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles.
“At a very, very low dose, Botox blocks the neurocommunication between muscles and nerves,” explains Dr. Zins. “This causes a weakening or paralysis of that muscle.”
Think about it: If your nerve can’t communicate to tell your muscle what to do, then your muscle won’t, well, Anything — including the kind of extreme facial expressions that can contribute to wrinkles.
“With repeated injections, we find that patients don’t frown as much,” says Dr. Zins. “Why this is, we’re not exactly sure, but it’s thought to help you break the habit through behavior modification.”
So some people get “preventive botox”, to try to stop their facial muscles from doing all those contractions that would eventually lead to wrinkles.
“The idea is twofold,” explains Dr. Zins. “First, to break the frowning habit and second, to train, weaken or atrophy those muscles so that they are not as active and therefore do not lead to wrinkles.”
What about other types of injections?
It’s important to note that Botox is a brand name for only one type of botulinum toxin injection, but there are others – and “preventative” injections of any of these neurotoxins work the same way.
Other types are:
- Dysport® (AbobotulinumtoxinA).
- Xeomin® (IncobotulinumtoxinA).
- Jeauveau® (PrabotulinumtoxinA).
Although they are similar, they are not exactly the same. If you’re considering botulinum toxin injections, a healthcare provider can help you figure out which one is best for you.
Are there any downsides to preventative botox?
Here’s the thing about prophylactic botulinum toxin injections: There isn’t much evidence that they work.
“His idea is more theoretical than functional,” clarifies Dr. Zins. “I think it’s a reasonable hypothesis, but we don’t have hard data to back it up.”
Getting injections, whether you have wrinkles or not, will indeed relax your facial muscles… but only during the time they are active.
“Botox is temporary,” Dr. Zins points out, “so once the treatments stop, then the effect wears off.”
The effects of Botox and other neurotoxin injections only last about three to four months, after which your skin will return to its usual form. If you continue to give injections, your muscles may be trained to contract less. But there is no guarantee that they will prevent you from the first appearance of wrinkles.
However, there is some hope, as in 2006 study who looked at the effects of long-term Botox in a set of twins: One sister received regular injections for 12 years. the other does not. Even seven months after her last injections had faded, the twin who got regular Botox was less noticeable crow’s feet by her sister.
Who is a good candidate for preventive botox?
Facial expressions and gravity aren’t the only factors that play a role in wrinkles. Genetics are also in the mix.
You may be a good candidate for early neurotoxin injections if you have a family history of very deep wrinkles, especially if your relatives developed them quite young.
But again, there’s no hard evidence that Botox injections will prevent wrinkles – they just help reduce their appearance as they develop.
Other Anti-Aging Treatments You Should Try
Injections are not the only way to keep your skin looking young. There’s a lot you can (and should!) do to keep your skin healthy, which can help delay or reduce the overall effect of future wrinkles.
- Quit smoking: Smoke slows down your body’s collagen production, which gives your skin structure, strength and elasticity. Too little collagen can lead to wrinkles.
- Wear sunscreen: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US, but daily use of sunscreen can reduce your risk. It can also help prevent sun damage that leads to wrinkles.
- Choose the right products: In addition to sunscreen, moisturizer and a topical antioxidant every day is a good place to start. Develop a skin care routine that is right for your skin.
- Stay hydrated: Your skin is your body’s largest organ — and like the rest of us, it needs water. Drinking water helps flush out toxins, and certain skin care products and ingredients are also designed to help your skin lock in hydration.
- See a dermatologist: Dermatologists they are experts in diagnosing and treating skin conditions and can also help you find the right regimen to keep your skin healthy for the long term.
Try to remember that wrinkles are a normal part of aging and aging is a normal part of life. Starting in your 30s, your skin loses about 1% of its collagen each year, and your skin cells also slowly divide, which leads to thinner skin and, yes, wrinkles.
While preventative Botox can help keep your skin smoother for longer, there is no fountain of youth that will prevent you from ever developing wrinkles. Do what you can to feel better — but don’t let those laugh lines get you down!
