It Is Never Too Early to Get Botox

When is the right time to start getting botulinum toxin injections? With the entry of new options on the market, more younger people are considering getting Botox, Dysport, Xeomin or Jeuveau (also known as #Newtox) injections. All of these botulinum toxins as are the same – Type A – so I will collectively refer to them as BoNTA. None of the BoNTA are FDA approved to prevent aging, but many studies suggest that they will improve long term outcomes.

This article will discuss what the medical journals say about using Botox to prevent aging. I performed the FDA approval research trials for all of these BoNTA (except Xeomin), and they all act basically the same with similar side effects. I am also on advisory boards for all of these companies, in addition to new forms of BoNTA that are coming to the market.

Should You Wait Until You See Signs of Wrinkles to Get BoNTA?

Studies show that these injections can actually have a preventative effect on skin aging – now referred to as “skin prejuvenation.” It is best to start botulinum toxin injections sooner rather than later.

What Is Skin Prejuvenation?

Skin rejuvenation is a common term used to describe a variety of treatments and products aimed at making the skin look more youthful after signs of aging such as lines and wrinkles have appeared. However, research has shown that some anti-aging treatments like botulinum toxin injections can effectively prevent wrinkles from forming on the skin. This has resulted in a new term called #prejuvenation. Rather than waiting until signs of aging have already shown up on the skin, you can take a preventative approach for even more dramatic and potentially longer-lasting results.

Does Botox Prevent Wrinkles?

Numerous studies have found that injections of botulinum toxin – the active ingredient in injectable treatments such as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin – can effectively prevent new lines and wrinkles from forming within your skin.

One 2006 study that followed a set of identical twin sisters over a period of 13 years found that regular Botox injections received over time can minimize the appearance of future lines, wrinkles, and creases in the skin. During the study, one twin received regular Botox injections two to three times per year over a 13-year period. The other twin only received two Botox injections in this same 13-year period, with a four-year gap in between the two treatments.

After 13 years, the regularly treated twin did not show signs of forehead or glabellar lines, while the minimally treated twin did have wrinkles in these areas. Crow’s feet near the eyes also improved in the treated twin compared to the minimally treated twin. Interestingly, non-treated areas of the face looked the same in both twins, confirming the effects of Botox injections in the treated areas.

Further research has found that botulinum toxin injections increase collagen production while simultaneously decreasing enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are responsible for collagen breakdown. In this way, botulinum toxin injections are believed to have the ability to remodel the skin’s structure and therefore prevent lines, wrinkles, and in some cases, even scarring from occurring.

What Is the Best Age to Start Botox Injections?

Because we know that Botox and other neurotoxin injections have a preventative effect, the sooner you start, the better your long-term results can be. If you wait until until your 30s or 40s once deeper wrinkles have already set in, it will be more difficult to smooth the skin and achieve a more youthful look.

Instead, get your first Botox treatment in your 20s to take advantage of its positive cumulative effects over time so that you won’t need it in your 60s.

Bottom Line

Current research indicates that the frequent treatment of botulinum toxin injections results in a cumulative anti-aging effect on the skin, preventing signs of aging from forming in the first place.

Start Botox treatments sooner than later to maximize the benefits and keep wrinkles from forming in the future.

Stay up-to-date on the latest skincare news, tips, and advice from Dr. Leslie Baumann by following Baumann Cosmetic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also visit www.derm.net to sign up for our e-newsletter.

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