If you are already seeing wrinkles, it may be too late to prevent them. While there are several different ways to treat wrinkles and reduce the appearance of fine lines (such as Botox), in order to prevent them you need to start early. That raises the question, how early is too early? What age is a good age to begin preventative Botox? The Botox experts at Mary Lee Amerian M.D. Dermatology in Santa Monica have the answer.

WHAT CAUSES FINE LINES & WRINKLES?

First, fine lines and wrinkles don’t just appear out of nowhere. They form thanks to repetitive movements. Smiles, laughter, crying, and frowning all cause muscle movements that create tiny folds in the skin.

It’s not like we don’t know where they’ll form, either. Most of us get them in the same places, with emphasis around and between the eyes, the forehead area, and along the nose/mouth (nasolabal folds).

WHAT IS PREVENTATIVE BOTOX?

Preventative Botox is a recent trend overall. The reason for this is that due to the general popularity and effectiveness of Botox for helping improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, individuals are tending to look towards Botox to help prevent such issues in the first place. It has also been found that younger patients are now also considering Botox at the first signs of aging, to ensure their appearance and facial expressions remain as wrinkle free as possible.

WHAT’S THE BEST AGE TO START BOTOX INJECTIONS TREATMENT?

Most people seek Botox treatments for the first time in their mid 30s. Botox is FDA-approved for adults 18 years of age and older. While a few individuals seek it out in their late 20s, few in their early 20s need it…unless they‘re using it preventatively.

“Preventative Botox” is a misnomer. Your injector won‘t deliver Botox into your smooth, youthful baby face and hope to prevent wrinkles from forming at all; instead, it slows the process and reduces the severity of lines once they begin to form. Thus, if you would have found wrinkles for the first time at 35, early Botox injection could ward them off until 45 instead.

WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER BOTOX?

One potential sign that it might be time to consider a treatment such as Botox is when fine lines and wrinkles are visible when the face is relaxed and at rest. It is normal for wrinkles to appear when frowning, but if they remain when the face is completely relaxed, then in these situations Botox might be a solution for you.

Some of the main advantages of Botox injections as a treatment is that it is a proven technology, that offers the patient a non-invasive, quick to administer solution. The injectable treatment generally lasts for around three and a half to four months, and can be done in a person’s lunch break. In addition to this, side-effects from the treatment tend to be quite minimal in most cases. Our doctors can advise as to some of the key considerations and what issues to look out for.

WRINKLE PREVENTION & ANTI-AGING ALTERNATIVES

Want to put off your need for Botox a little bit longer? That’s fair. There are things you can do to to slow down the wrinkle-forming process to ensure that when you do eventually get injectables, you benefit as much as possible from them.

• Wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
• Wear a hat to cover more of your skin.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and prevent wrinkle-forming squinting.
• Drink plenty of water. Hydrated skin stays plump; dehydrated skin wrinkles.
• Eat healthy fats and foods with antioxidants. This includes avocados, coconut oil, blueberries, spinach, and just about every other fruit and vegetable.
• Take control of environmental and lifestyle factors. Stop smoking, and limit your exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Get enough sleep each night so your skin can heal.
• Always remove your makeup before you go to sleep at night.
• Reduce the stress in your life to stop excess cortisol This stress hormone is inflammatory and breaks down collagen.

The occasional skin pampering session at the spa may also help. Talk to your chosen medical professional about which skin rejuvenating facials or skin treatments might help prevent wrinkle formation. Micro-needling is ideal for stimulating collagen production as are certain peels and facials.

There’s nothing at all wrong with Botox — we love it! 

BOTOX EXPERTS IN SANTA MONICA AT MARY LEE AMERIAN M.D. DERMATOLOGY

If you are unsure if you are at a good age to start preventative Botox, you should consult a Botox expert. At Mary Lee Amerian M.D. Dermatology, we have a team of Botox experts who are ready and willing to answer any questions you may have. After a brief consultation, we can determine if Botox is a good treatment method for you at your current age. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call (310) 829-9396.