Stereotypically, Botox and other anti-aging treatments are thought of as treatments for those who have begun to show the tell-tale signs of aging: crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, smile lines, ect. Anti-aging treatments are one of the most common plastic procedures due to their minimally invasive nature and quick recovery. These treatments are often thought of as a method of rejuvenation. More and more patients are considering anti-aging treatments as a preventative measure to slow the inevitable signs of aging. Many people already engage in preventative aging measures such as using sun screen, minimizing UV light exposure, or maintaining a skin care routine. But more and more younger patients are considering more aggressive preventative treatments. Instead of waiting to correct the lines and wrinkles associated with aging, patients are seeking to prevent their formation all together. Botox, specifically, targets the muscle movement by blocking nerve signals. Doctors can administer small amount to correct minute muscle movements that create fine lines and wrinkles in younger patients. This reduces wear on high use areas of the face.
This procedure can be tailored to fit the patient’s needs; for example, a patient who furrows their brow more can have minute amounts of Botox infiltrated to prevent their “elevens” from worsening. This may be an attractive option for patients who have wrinkles when they use certain facial expressions, but whose wrinkles disappear when they relax their facial muscles. Patients with permanent wrinkles can prevent worsening of wrinkles with Botox, but other treatments such as dermal fillers may be needed to achieve the most youthful look desired.
Some younger patients are concerned that if they begin Botox now they will need continue to need more and more as they grow older. This is not the case though, as patients often just need minute touch ups after the initial injections.
Botox is a personalized treatment and therefore to know when to start and what areas are best to target, you should contact your board certified physician for a consultation. If you’re considering Botox contact our clinic at 312-695-6022 or through the request form in the header to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John Kim. He can help you decide if Botox is right for you and your anti-aging goals.