Is Preventative BOTOX® Worth It?

Is it worth it to get preventative BOTOX^®? Our Arizona-based team at Ironwood Dermatology provides this injectable treatment to reduce wrinkles that have already formed, but it can also be used for other purposes.

Preventative BOTOX^® is a cosmetic strategy that has gained popularity in recent years. Unlike traditional BOTOX^®, which is used to reduce the appearance of existing wrinkles, preventative BOTOX^® is employed to prevent the formation of wrinkles in the first place. Here’s how it works.

First, it’s important to understand what causes wrinkles. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and collagen, which are essential for maintaining a smooth, youthful appearance. In addition, repetitive facial expressions like frowning, squinting, and raising eyebrows can cause lines and wrinkles to form, especially on the forehead area and around the eyes.

Preventative BOTOX^® works by targeting the muscles that cause wrinkles to form. This makes it ideal for patients who want to take a proactive approach to anti-aging treatments instead of correcting wrinkles that have become deeply etched in. When BOTOX^® is injected into specific muscles, it relaxes them for months at a time. Using this injectable before wrinkles have a chance to form allows the skin to better maintain its elasticity and collagen, resulting in skin that has an overall smoother and more youthful appearance.

Preventative BOTOX^® is typically recommended for individuals in their 20s and 30s, before wrinkles have become deeply ingrained in the skin. However, the treatment can also be effective for older individuals who are only just starting to notice the early signs of aging.

The procedure for preventative BOTOX^® is similar to traditional BOTOX^®. We will inject small amounts of the neurotoxin into the targeted muscles using a fine needle in the areas where deep creases are likely to develop.

This treatment can potentially slow down the development of wrinkles or prevent them from forming at all. Preventative treatments can be ideal for patients who are likely to get deep wrinkles or a high number of wrinkles. If you have family members with an excessive number of wrinkles or who have a very expressive face or thinner, finer skin, you may be a good candidate for this procedure.

Our Arizona-based team at Ironwood Dermatology can explain more about using injectable treatments to soften—or prevent—wrinkles on the upper third of the face. Call us at 520.618.1630 or submit a contact form if you’d like to learn more.