Do I need Botox?
Botox is a name brand neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and is commonly used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Contrare to popular belief, Botox does not paralyze the muscle, it works by creating a temporary nerve block that prevents muscle movement.
There are many different brands and distributors for neurotoxin, but the most commonly recognized is Botox.
As an aesthetic provider I absolutely ADORE Botox, but Botox has a time and place like anything else.
“Botox is wonderful for prevention, but it isn’t needed until it is”
Let me explain. Although Botox doesn’t technically paralyze, it’s still going to temporarily stop the movement of the muscle. If you stop having movement in a muscle, and you are not doing treatments to keep the muscle active, the muscle atrophies. A great example of this is someone wheelchair bound. If you ever wonder why people struggling with paralyzation have particularly small legs, it’s due to muscle atrophy - and the face is no exception.
If you start Botox too early, you will lose muscle retention. You will suffer from skin laxity you never had before you started. This means that if you didn’t have visible wrinkles before Botox, you probably will once it wears off.
Typically people utilize neurotoxins to preserve their youth, and if you are in your early 20’s - why age yourself in the pursuit.
My golden rule for when to start: If there are fine lines when your face is at a stand still, it’s a wonderful time to start with what we consider true preventative Botox. You are preventing those lines from becoming an actual wrinkle, and with proper skincare, those lines will dissipate.
It’s important to note that if you already have deep-set wrinkles, it’s never too late to start, but you might notice the depth of the wrinkle more than when that area had more movement. With a qualified provider, you may want to discuss the option of filler, threads or other facial treatments to refine the skin and create focalized collagen growth.
I always recommend you pair your Botox with quality skincare and monthly facials to begin with, as the injections will not preserve the internal or external youth of your skin.
The reward for pairing your botox with regular radio frequency treatments (RF), are continued muscle stimulati without the wrinkle, so the muscle won’t atrophy. By the time your Botox wears off, you are likely to have less of a wrinkle than before your injection. And if you do preventative Botox, you may no longer feel the need to continue regular injections.
Preventative Botox is a thing, but many providers will inject you when it’s too early. Some will take the money, and justify the injection as “preventative” when it may cause pre-mature aging instead. So don’t rush things that haven’t happened yet.
Read my Golden Rule, and you’ll know if it’s time.
