Our perception of Botox has changed since it was first used as a cosmetic treatment 20 years ago: what was once a luxury treatment reserved for celebrities is now a standard beautifying procedure available to anyone. Many people keep regular Botox appointments, just like dentist appointments or haircuts.
Just as we’ve gotten used to the idea of reducing the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles, a new trend has appeared—preventative Botox.
Here, we explore how preventative Botox works and whether it can really prevent wrinkles.
What Is Preventative Botox?
Preventative Botox is the use of Botox injectables on young, wrinkle-free skin with the aim of preventing wrinkles from appearing altogether. The treatment is popular among younger patients who want to delay the effects of aging.
How Does Preventative Botox Work?
Botox is a neurotoxin derived from the bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. In the cosmetics industry, it’s injected to relax the facial muscles responsible for repetitive expressions—squinting, frowning, laughing. As the skin starts to age and loses flexibility and suppleness, these expressions lead to wrinkle formation.
The idea behind preventative Botox is to block excessive activity of muscles and thus prevent the skin from creasing.
Preventative Botox Benefits
Preventative Botox helps maintain youthful skin rather than treat existing aging signs. The treatment is appealing because it provides the following benefits:
- Prevents the formation of deeper lines and wrinkles that require more treatments and may not be able to fade completely.
- Leads to fewer treatments in the future because the muscles that form wrinkles become weaker.
- Potentially saves on total, long-term Botox costs.
- Provides longer-lasting, natural-looking results.
Preventative Botox Treatment Areas
Like other cosmetic Botox treatments, preventative Botox is most effective in areas where dynamic wrinkles form. Dynamic wrinkles are lines that appear due to repetitive facial movements. They include:
- Crow’s feet
- Glabellar lines (lines between the brows)
- Forehead lines
The FDA has approved cosmetic Botox for the above three areas.
However, skilled Botox providers also use it in standard off-label procedures to prevent the formation of smile lines around the mouth, chin wrinkles, and bunny lines.
Note: Learn what are the most common Botox areas and how many Botox units you need per area.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Preventative Botox?
Preventative Botox is suitable for healthy people in their mid-to-late twenties who still have smooth skin with only a few faint lines appearing.
The best time for preventative Botox varies depending on the person’s genetics and lifestyle habits. If a person has overly expressive features or spends a lot of time in the sun without protection, their skin will likely develop fine lines earlier than people who take care of their skin.
How to Prepare for the Preventative Botox Treatment?
Preventative Botox doesn’t require much preparation. During the initial consultation, the medical provider advises the patient to avoid the following for about one week before the treatment:
- Blood-thinning medications (e.g., ibuprofen)
- Allergy medications
- Muscle relaxers
- Retinol products
- Other cosmetic treatments (laser, microneedling)
- Alcohol and nicotine
Note: Read our article on how to prepare for Botox to find more information on pre-treatment dos and don’ts.
What to Expect During the Preventative Botox Treatment?
Preventative Botox is a quick procedure that people can even schedule during their lunch break.
The medical provider first discusses the patient’s expectations and looks at their medical history to determine eligibility. They inspect the patient’s skin to determine where and how the first lines are likely to form. Then, they disinfect the treatment area with rubbing alcohol and apply a numbing cream to eliminate potential pain. Finally, the provider injects the necessary amount of Botox into precisely chosen injection sites.
The procedure lasts several minutes and requires no downtime.
Preventative Botox Results
Preventative Botox helps delay the appearance of prominent wrinkles and preserves the skin’s youthfulness for decades. Patients who start on time and regularly use Botox (every three to four months) also report improved skin texture, minimized pores, and reduced redness.
People who smoke, frequently expose their skin to UV rays, and don’t use quality skincare products may not experience the same effectiveness of preventative Botox as people who have healthier lifestyle habits.
What Are the Risks of Preventative Botox?
Preventative Botox is a safe, low-risk procedure in the hands of an experienced medical provider. It may cause mild side effects, such as bruising, redness, and swelling at the injection site. They typically resolve within a few days.
Patients very rarely experience allergic reactions, drooping eyelids, headaches, nausea, and difficulty breathing and swallowing. In case of severe side effects, contact your medical provider immediately.
The safety and effectiveness of preventative Botox largely depend on the injector’s experience. Poorly trained Botox practitioners may administer too much Botox, inject the neurotoxin in the wrong muscle, or schedule touch-ups too late. This can result in an unnatural, frozen look, damaged skin, and more severe health complications.
Carefully choose a Botox provider based on their med spa or clinic’s reviews, their clients’ before and after images, and recommendations by people you know.
Preventative Botox Aftercare
Botox providers recommend avoiding the following activities after preventative Botox:
- Strenuous exercise for 24 hours
- Bending or lying down for four hours
- Alcohol and nicotine for 24 hours
- Sun exposure for several days
- Other facial treatments for two weeks
Note: Find more useful tips for Botox aftercare to ensure desired results and avoid more severe side effects.
Should You See a Doctor?
If you feel pain after Botox, reach out to your doctor, who will recommend a pain reliever, such as Tylenol. They will advise against using blood-thinning medications, such as ibuprofen.
Visit your medical provider if you experience a persistent headache, muscle weakness, blurred vision, or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
How Much Does Preventative Botox Cost?
At Vibrant Skin Bar, one unit of Botox costs $13.50. The total price of the treatment depends on the number of required units. Most treatment areas require 6-25 units for women and twice as many Botox units for men.
Conclusion
Preventative Botox is a new trend that involves the use of Botox on wrinkle-free skin to keep aging signs at bay for a long time.
If you decide to give it a try, consult a medical professional with ample experience of injecting Botox. They will know if your skin is ready and how much Botox is enough to keep it looking young and fresh.
