Everybody wants to put their best face forward. But, time can make that increasingly difficult.
Everybody wants to put their best face forward. But, time can make that increasingly difficult.
As we age, the elastin and collagen in our faces break down. This causes the skin to become less firm and stretchy, created the dreaded wrinkles we all want to avoid.
Preventative Botox can help stop the trouble before it starts! ‘What, where, when, why, how’, you ask? Read on to smooth out the details.
What Is Preventative Botox?
This is the most commonly sought after cosmetic treatment for a reason. Botox prevents and reverses age lines quickly.
Botox injections contain trace amounts of a natural neurotoxin from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It relaxes the muscles at the site of injection by means of flaccid paralysis.
When the facial muscles contract, the skin bunches together to create lines in between the bulk of each muscle. So, paralyzing it keeps the skin looking smooth.
It works well to treat and prevent:
Frown Lines
Frown lines occur between the eyebrows as deep furrows. Contraction of the Procerus muscle and the Corrugator Supercilii muscle causes them.
Crow’s Feet
Smiling and squinting are both actions of the Orbicularis Oculi muscle around the eyes. Over time, this causes lines that stretch out around the corners of the eyes.
Forehead Lines
This type of wrinkle runs horizontally across the forehead. It can occur from raising your eyebrows, frowning, and other expressions of the Frontalis muscle.
Other Facial Lines
Botox also works for other lines around the lips, corners of the mouth, chin, and neck. Though this treatment works incredibly well, it does not treat wrinkles caused by gravity or sun damage. Botox will only treat and prevent wrinkles and lines made apparent by muscle contractions.
How Is Botox Done?
Your doctor will use a thin needle to inject the Botox into specific facial muscles. You may feel minimal discomfort that will quickly dissipate.
You can literally schedule your treatments on your lunch break. This does not require anesthesia or any special preparation.
You may notice a small amount of redness following the injection. But, the treatment does not take full effect for about 3-7 days.
How Long Does it Last?
Botox is not a surgical procedure. So, it does not last forever.
After about 3-6 months, the nerve cells in the paralyzed muscle(s) will begin to regain function. Towards the earlier end of this happening, you should go back in for another injection, in order to keep your skin looking consistently smooth.
When to Start Botox?
Look in the mirror. Do you see wrinkles on your face?
If not, you may think that you can hold off on starting Botox. But this is faulty logic, and here’s why.
Getting Botox at 30 may seem like a great place to start. But, wrinkles most likely started to develop in your 20s.
Every movement you make with your face, whether a subtle smile, raising an eyebrow, or a twitch of your nose, you use your facial muscles.
Over time, this is what wears down the proteins in your face that keep it plump and firm. So, wrinkles form and can catch you off guard.
If you wait until 30 for Botox treatments, then your care is less preventative and more maintenance. You will find it much easier to look good longer when you prevent lines from forming than you will if you are attacking established wrinkles.
If you are reading this and are older than 30, this does not mean that you’re too late though. Starting Botox now will help smooth out your skin and prevent more lines from forming.
If possible though, you should shoot to start Botox at 25. Botox in your 20s will give you the best results and slow the aging of your face.
Stopping the muscle contractions means pausing the breakdown of collagen and elastin. This means that you put a long hold on wrinkles from even starting to form, keeping yourself looking agelessly beautiful.
Special Precautions
In the upcoming week, you do not want to do anything that will increase bleeding or bruising. Stay away from alcohol, aspirin, or blood thinners to prevent this from happening.
Your doctor will clean the area properly before injecting your treatment. When you get home, still wash your face with soap and warm water to prevent an unlikely infection.
If you have sensitive skin and see redness or bruising, holding a cool cloth to the area for 10-15 minutes should help. Avoid icing your face for long periods of time as that will only make it worse.
Leave the site of injection alone as much as possible. Rubbing the area can spread the toxin around. This can give you a weakened effect in the desired area and unwanted effect in other places.
Botox may give you a headache for the rest of the day as well. Hold off on laying down for at least an hour following your treatment for the best results.
Other Preventative Measures
Keeping up with your Botox injections will do wonders for your face. Though, as mentioned earlier, Botox does not treat wrinkles derived from UV damage, weathering, or gravity.
Here are some other things you can do in conjunction with your Botox treatments to prevent wrinkles and keep yourself looking good!
Hydrate
Chronic dehydration will sink in the skin under your eyes and break down the elasticity of your skin. Drink about a half-gallon of water each day, or more if you exercise regularly.
Moisturize
Moisturizing your face helps keep the skin hydrated to keep the oils in balance and preventing damage to the skin. Using one with compounds that nourish the skin will further protect you from developing wrinkles.
Moisturizers with coconut oil, CBD oil, olive oil, and sandalwood all carry a good reputation for preventing aging. They all possess anti-inflammatory properties, which will keep the skin looking younger.
Start Your Botox Treatments
Stop waiting for wrinkles to appear. Start preventative Botox right away to keep your skin looking youthful.
We want to help you feel confident and beautiful. Book your first appointment with us today!
