Many individuals view Botox injections as a procedure that you utilize to remedy wrinkles once they appear on your face. However, Botox injections can also be used to prevent or delay wrinkles from appearing on your face in the first place ; this is known as preventive Botox. Here are a few things you need to know about preventive Botox.

1. Preventive Botox Can Lessen Your Need for Future Anti-Aging Treatments

Conventional Botox injections are used to fill in dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles that only appear when you make certain facial expressions) so that they do not become static wrinkles (wrinkles that appear on your face regardless of the expression you are making).

Preventive Botox injections prevent the formation of dynamic wrinkles, making it possible for you to delay conventional injections. These conventional injections require a higher dosage and frequency than preventive injections in order to be effective.

2. You Should Start Preventive Botox in Your 20s

Botox providers disagree as to the exact age that you should begin preventive Botox, but most agree that injections should begin when you are in your 20s. The exact age varies based on the patient.

If you have signs of premature aging due to genetics or lifestyle choices, you should probably begin preventive injections sooner rather than later. For example, if you spent your teens laying out in the sun each summer without sunscreen, your doctor may recommend that your start preventive treatments in your early 20s rather than your late 20s.

Or, if you spend a significant portion of the day reading, this may cause you to squint and lead to the development of fine lines around the eyes. Preventive Botox can help lessen the deepness of your squinting so that it does not lead to wrinkles.

3. Preventive Injections Will Not Completely Limit Facial Expressions

Some potential patients shy away from preventive Botox because they believe it will leave their faces frozen and unable to make expressions. However, this is not the case.

The dosage used for preventive Botox injections is less than the amount used to treat wrinkles that are already etched into the face. Your doctor's goal for preventive injections is to only limit facial expressions enough that they prevent deep wrinkles and fine lines from forming; the objective is not to keep the face from moving completely.

It is important to note that repeated Botox injections can weaken the facial muscles over time. However, if this does happen, it is usually minute enough that no one (including the patient) notices. This process also takes decades to potentially occur; if your doctor uses the appropriate injection dosage for preventive Botox, this should not be a concern. Contact a clinic, like Belle Meade Skin & Laser, for more help.