Most people considering facial rejuvenation treatments are well-aware of BOTOX^®. This popular injectable is chosen by millions who are seeking a non-surgical solution for smoothing away stubborn wrinkles and skin creases.

It might surprise you to learn that even younger patients are opting for BOTOX^®. When performed on patients in their 20s and early 30s, BOTOX^® can help prevent fine lines from becoming deeper, more permanent skin creases. Learn more about how preventive BOTOX^® is helping men and women maintain a youthful appearance as they age.

How Wrinkles Form

Before taking a look at the preventive benefits of BOTOX^®, it’s important to understand how most wrinkles form. There are two main types of wrinkles treated by injectables: dynamic wrinkles and static wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are those caused by movement. Every time you smile, wrinkle your nose, or squint your eyes, this is made possible by tiny muscle contractions.

Over time, these contractions lead to creases and lines in the expressive parts of your face, such as crow’s feet around the eyes and vertical furrows between the eyebrows. These wrinkles are typically not present when the face is completely at rest, but they can still create a more aged appearance or produce an angry or concerned expression. BOTOX^® is specifically used to treat these movement-related wrinkles.

Conversely, static wrinkles are present even when your face is at rest. Sun exposure, loss of facial volume, and a decline in collagen production can all contribute to the development of static wrinkles. However, when dynamic wrinkles persist without treatment, they can eventually become permanently etched into your skin (especially as the skin loses its ability to “bounce back” with age). This causes wrinkles to be visible even when your face is at rest.   

How BOTOX^® Prevents the Development of Deeper Wrinkles

The key to preventing dynamic wrinkles from becoming static wrinkles is early treatment. While other injectables reduce the appearance of lines by filling them in, BOTOX^® is unique in that it actually prevents wrinkle-causing muscle contractions from occurring.

Its formulation contains a highly refined version of a neurotoxin that is produced by a naturally occurring bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. When injected, this substance inhibits nerve cells from sending signals to certain facial muscles, which forces them to relax. As a result, stubborn creases and wrinkles are gradually smoothed away.

While the majority of first-time BOTOX^® patients were typically in their late 30s, these days younger men and women are discovering that early treatment can actually prevent dynamic wrinkles from becoming worse with age. This is especially true for those with very expressive faces. With early BOTOX^® treatment in your 20s, you can essentially “train” your face not to form creases in areas of expression, which reduces your chances of these areas developing permanent wrinkles.

For those concerned about not being able to show expression after BOTOX^®, this is a common misconception. The injections inhibit tiny muscle contractions in targeted areas, but when treated by an expert injector well-versed in the subtleties of facial anatomy, you should expect to retain your ability to show emotion and facial expressions. You’ll still look like yourself, just more refreshed and youthful.

If you’ve been considering BOTOX^® for preventive reasons, or you already have advanced wrinkles you’d like to address, contact Dr. Schmidt today to schedule your personal consultation. He offers a full range of surgical and non-surgical solutions to fully rejuvenate your look.