Have you heard of preventative Botox? Many people are aware that as we age, fine lines and expressive creases in our facial skin can deepen into set lines, wrinkles, and furrows. For most people, these visible lines show up beginning in their late 30’s or 40’s. At that age, many men and women may consider a neuromodulator such as Botox to smooth lines and reduce wrinkles.

But what if there were a way to prevent some of the signs of aging, or at least delay the advance of aging facial features? Botox treatments to the forehead, crows feet and other areas beginning as early as the 20’s has been found to help prevent wrinkles and lines from developing in the first place.

The many muscles in our faces work just like other muscles of the body. Overuse and repetitive, daily movement of one or more group of muscles will strengthen them, bulk them up and have a negative effect on the overlying skin. Defined, powerful facial muscles are not typically desirable, especially when it comes to the frown or corrugator muscles, or others of the forehead. These muscles, when used daily to squint in the sun, or furrow the brows can, over time, exaggerate those expressions on our faces and wrinkle the skin from constant movement. Sometimes we don’t even realize that we are frowning or squinting and without consciously relaxing the facial muscles, our resting face may actually be contributing to the development of wrinkles.

PREVENTATIVE BOTOX

While retaining facial muscle movement is important for natural expression, the subtle, low-dose preventative Botox most practitioners will administer for young patients in their 20’s will allow for expressive muscle movement while causing the muscles to atrophy (shrink) somewhat. This means that treated muscles still move, but do not become stronger with use.Facial lines and deep wrinkles associated with strong, repetitive muscle movement do not have a chance to set in. If you wait to consider Botox until you see the obvious, permanent facial lines down the road, this will make treatment more difficult as you attempt to reverse signs of aging and smooth skin which has already formed lines.

It is far easier to prevent a problem than to correct it. Botox for wrinkle prevention will not hold off the appearance of aging forever, but it can help you get ahead of it and retain smooth, youthful features for many years.

There are a variety of healthy, complimentary practices which, along with injectable treatments, will assist you in maintaining smooth, youthful skin. Some of which are:

1. Drink plenty of water. Hydrated skin looks plump, smooth and healthy.
2. Use sunblock. The effects of the sun will age you and damage skin, making it more prone to fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Wear sunglasses. The more often, the better. Squinting in the sun on a regular basis will wrinkle the delicate skin around the eyes and strengthen the muscles which cause these movements.
4. Eat healthy, fresh food full of antioxidants.
5. Use medical-grade skin care products recommended by a Medical Aesthetician.
6.  Whenever you think of it, relax your face, rest your eyebrows and try not to frown.