Preventative Botox

Preventative Botox injections are used to stop the development of dynamic fine lines and deep creases before they become etched into the skin in the first place. Since its FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2002, Botox® has surged in popularity and is currently the number one noninvasive cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. More young men and women, than ever before, are seeking out preventative anti-aging treatments and skincare treatments. Preventative Botox and “baby Botox” have become two of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in Dr. Michele Green’s private Upper East Side NYC dermatology office, especially for the crow’s feet, glabella, and forehead wrinkles.

Botox is lauded in the world of cosmetic dermatology due to the ease and speed of having the injections and its ability to produce consistently stunning results with few potential side effects and essentially no recovery time involved. Botox, AKA botulinum toxin, is a neuromodulator that essentially ‘freezes’ facial muscles by blocking nerve signals. By doing so, Botox effectively reduces the ability of the muscle to have full movement. Having cosmetic Botox injections diminishes the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that develop as a result of repeated facial expressions.

Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing her patients from around the globe with the most innovative non-invasive treatment options available, including what has been described as the “best Botox injections in New York City”. Dr. Green was among the first dermatologists in NYC to offer cosmetic Botox injections, preventative Botox, and “baby Botox”, embracing a less is more philosophy when it comes to facial rejuvenation treatment to achieve natural-looking, beautiful results. Consistently identified as one of NYC’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors, Dr. Green not only utilizes Botox as a treatment for fine lines and wrinkles but as a preventative measure for younger patients to keep those lines and wrinkles from forming in the first place.

What is Preventative Botox?

The idea behind preventative Botox® is that by having treatment before any forehead wrinkles or frown lines become permanently apparent, their development is actually halted altogether. Preventative Botox has gained an immense amount of recent attention and interest thanks to social media and is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in Dr. Michele Green’s NYC dermatology office. Influencers and celebrities on varying platforms have a powerful impact on trends in beauty, skincare, and wellness, and now more than ever before is opening up about the cosmetic procedures that they’re having done. This new wave of embracing preventative skincare as a part of self-care encourages more people to add preventative Botox and dermal fillers to their anti-aging regimen for facial wrinkles and folds. This page will tell you everything you need to know about preventative Botox. More young men and women alike are now seeking out treatment with preventative Botox due to phenomenal results, essentially zero downtime, and ease of having the procedure.

Botox for lips before and after

At what age should I get preventative Botox?

As we age, our skin loses the natural collagen and elastin due to a combination of the environment, sun damage, and genetics. Collagen and elastin are proteins that provide the skin with a firm foundation and give it the ability to ‘bounce back.’ Over time, the skin isn’t able to bounce back as easily due to a decrease in collagen and elastin, causing the expressive facial movements that we repeat to lead to the development of fine lines and deeper wrinkles. Botox injections can help to soften the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, and many may wonder: when is the right time to start having cosmetic Botox treatments?

Botox has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of individuals between the ages of 18 and 65. An increasing number of young people are seeking treatment with Botox injections, and it is becoming commonplace to start with cosmetic preventative Botox as early as mid-to-late 20s and early 30s. Administering Botox in a younger patient, just before or right when wrinkles start to form, will help prevent the onset of deeper wrinkles and folds from appearing. Dr. Green compares these fine lines to paper that has been folded over in a book. In order to remove the creases, the paper needs to be “pressed out.” Botox removes and prevents these creases by “freezing” the muscle that causes this wrinkle in the first place.

Botox injections can also be used as a corrective measure for those who may have an aspect of their facial features that is out of symmetry with the rest of their face. In these situations, Botox can be used to help prevent wrinkles and lines from forming in these areas. For example, Botox injections could help with a person’s natural tendency to frown by reducing the ability of muscle movement in the area, keeping the muscles from contracting as much. Preventative Botox can be very effective in these cases since it can stop the individual from carrying out the facial movement that will eventually lead to a wrinkle forming. By stopping the motion from occurring, Botox injections can prevent wrinkles from appearing in the first place.

Can I combine dermal fillers and preventative Botox?

For her patients, Dr. Green often pairs Botox injections with facial fillers such as Juvederm®, Restylane®, Belotero®, and Sculptra® in a “liquid facelift.” These fillers, rather than targeting dynamic wrinkles, help to smooth out other areas of concern such as the nasolabial lines, smile lines, marionette lines, jawline, and more. Dermal fillers can also be used to help restore lost facial volume in the mid-face, jowls, and jawline, and combining them with preventative Botox provides complete facial rejuvenation treatment.

Juvederm® cosmetic injectable filler is one of the most popular dermal filler products in the United States. There are five types of Juvederm filler products available designed to plump the lips, restore facial volume, and smooth away the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and deep folds. Dr. Michele Green is an NYC Allergan Platinum Injector, utilizing Botox and the Juvederm family of fillers, to help restore, rejuvenate and enhance the features of the face to achieve a more youthful and enhanced appearance.

The Restylane family of dermal filler products, manufactured by Galderma, has become a go-to for many expert injectors. Since the original Restylane was FDA-approved in 2003, these hyaluronic acid fillers have quickly become a favorite for facial rejuvenation patients and providers alike. The complete Restylane line of products includes Restylane-L, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Defyne, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Kysse, Restylane Contour, and Restylane Skin Boosters. Each Restylane dermal filler product is manufactured to have its own unique particle size, designed to combat signs of aging in various areas of the face. Whether the skin concern to be addressed is fine lines, lost facial volume, lack of contour and definition, or severe wrinkles. These dermal filler products are used to correct deep folds and fine wrinkles and add volume to restore fullness to your face, resulting in overall skin rejuvenation and a more youthful appearance.

Sculptra is a unique dermal filler, FDA-approved in the United States, and a safe, synthetic, biocompatible material that is used as a collagen stimulator to correct depressions and surface irregularities in the skin. Sculptra injections improve wrinkles, depressions, scars, skin folds, stretch marks, scars, and hollows on the body and face. The active ingredient of Sculptra is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which is a well-known material that has been used in medical products for more than 20 years. It is commonly used as a component of dissolvable sutures and surgical implants. Sculptra is biodegradable, meaning that it is gradually broken down and naturally removed from the body. Following injections, Sculptra begins the process of stimulating your body to produce its own natural collagen.

Belotero Balance dermal filler is an FDA-approved hyaluronic acid injectable filler, manufactured by Merz. Belotero Balance is a unique filler because it is created using the proprietary Cohesive Polydensified Matrix (CPM) process. This process produces a smooth, flexible hyaluronic acid gel that readily blends into the natural structure of the skin and efficiently and evenly fills in etched-in facial wrinkles and fine lines. Belotero Balance is indicated for use in the mid-dermis and is injected with an ultra-fine needle, making the procedure comfortable enough for the patient that an anesthetic is not normally required. Belotero is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler, and when injected, hyaluronic acid naturally adds volume, smooths out the surface of the skin, and immediately helps to improve the skin’s overall appearance.

During your consultation with Dr. Green in her private dermatology office in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, you will have the opportunity to discuss with her in-depth your specific skin concerns and your personal cosmetic goals. You will then develop a customized treatment plan that is designed to meet your individual needs. For many patients, preventative Botox injections pair perfectly with their dermal filler treatments for achieving overall facial rejuvenation.

When to start preventative Botox for anti-aging

Botox may not be something that you thought you’d have to consider until later on in life. If you’re unsure as to whether or not Botox or preventative Botox might be right for you and are waiting for a sign that it is time, there are a few clues to look for that can potentially help you with making the decision. One potential sign that it might be time to consider an anti-aging treatment such as Botox is when facial fine lines and wrinkles are visible even when the face is relaxed and resting. It is normal for wrinkles to appear when making natural facial expressions, but if they remain when the face is completely relaxed, then in these situations, Botox might be a solution for you.

Is it too early to start treatments for younger patients whose fine lines may not be visible when completely relaxed? No! The beauty of preventative Botox is that it can be just that – a preventative measure against developing those deep lines, wrinkles, and folds, like wearing sunscreen daily. An increasing number of patients in their late 20s-early 30s are turning to preventive Botox or ‘baby Botox’ as a means of preventing signs of aging from developing. Starting with preventative Botox can help you maintain a smooth, beautiful, youthful complexion in the long run.

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 to four months and can be done during a person’s lunch break. In addition to this, side effects from the treatment tend to be quite minimal. Botox injections can be combined with dermal filler injections, good skincare, and other cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels or laser treatments. During your consultation, Dr. Green will help create the best personalized anti-aging protocol for you.

Botox for forehead / glabella area

How does preventative Botox work?

The best use of Botox is to treat and prevent dynamic wrinkles from forming on the face and neck. Dynamic wrinkles are creases and fine lines that form when you make a certain facial expression. For example, when you smile, creases, called “crow’s feet,” can form in the corner of your eyes, or if you furrow your brow in concentration, vertical lines can form between your eyebrows called glabellar lines. Over time, as the production of collagen in the skin decreases, these lines can become etched into the skin. Preventative Botox works to ensure that these wrinkles will not actually etch themselves into the skin. If you get Botox before the wrinkles are even set into the skin, less Botox will be required later on in life.

Botox works by essentially “freezing” the muscle to prevent muscle contractions. Botox or onabotulinumtoxin type A is a neuromodulator that, when injected into the muscle, inhibits the muscle’s neurotransmitters that send signals to the brain telling the muscle to activate. As a result, the muscle is no longer able to contract and will subsequently relax. When patients already have wrinkles etched into the skin, this relaxation of the muscle can smooth out the fine lines and wrinkles. But for patients in their 20s and 30s receiving preventative Botox, the relaxation of the muscle inhibits the use of that muscle to make facial expressions. Consequently, the dynamic wrinkles that would form as a result of repeated contractions never form. To maintain the dynamic wrinkle-inhibiting results, continued Botox injections every couple of months will be necessary as the effects of Botox wear off after 3-4 months.

Where is preventative Botox injected?

The most common areas of the face to have preventative Botox are the forehead lines, glabella (where the brow furrows), and the eyes (crow’s feet area). These areas are often utilized in expressive movement, and by freezing the facial muscles in these areas before any signs of wrinkles and fine lines appear, their development can be postponed entirely. During a consultation with expert cosmetic injector, Dr. Green, you will discuss in which areas of the face it would serve you best to have preventative Botox injections depending on your facial structure and desired results. Botox is indicated for use in the following areas:

• Forehead lines (worry lines).  The forehead is an area that tends to wrinkle even when we are young and can cause one to appear worried or stressed. Botox smooths out these forehead lines and leaves you looking relaxed and rejuvenated.
• Glabella lines. The deep furrow which can form between the eyebrows can often make one look angry or as if they are scowling. Botox treats this deep wrinkle, and just a small amount of Botox can make the frown lines (sometimes called “11″ lines due to their shape) look more relaxed.
• Crow’s feet around the eyes.  Botox can remove the lines around the eyes, which are most obvious when you smile or squint.
• Necklines or Cords. Botox can be used to minimize and smooth the lines around the neck in what’s called the “Nefertiti lift” by injecting the cords or platysmas bands.
• Lines around the mouth.  Botox can be used to treat the smoker’s lines around the upper lip which is a sure sign of aging.
• Pau d’orange of the chin.  Botox can be used to remove the texture and dimpling of chin wrinkles.
• Frown lines around the mouth.  Botox can be used to lift the angles or corners, the DAOs of the mouth, to fix sad-looking smiles.
• Brow lift. Botox can be used to open up the eyes and subtly raise the brow.
• Botox masseter reduction for facial slimming.  Botox can be used to non-surgically slim the face and make the appearance of a square-shaped jaw rounder. Botox injections in the masseter muscle also help treat TMJ.

How much is Preventative Botox?

When patients ask how much preventative Botox costs, the answer is that the cost of preventative Botox will vary depending on several factors. The experience level of the cosmetic injector providing your preventative Botox treatment will be one of the contributing factors to the total cost. It’s typically more expensive to have your treatment done with a board-certified dermatologist or a plastic surgeon, although, worth the investment considering you gain access to unmatched expertise and experience. Having Botox treatment with a nurse or with a medical spa may be less expensive but may not guarantee the same satisfactory results. When you have your Botox with Dr. Green, you are in the care of a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist who is world-renowned for artistic, stunning results and who is known to be one of the best Botox injectors in the city of New York.

Another variable that impacts the cost of your preventative Botox treatment is the total number of areas treated. During your consultation with Dr. Green, you will discuss your desired results, and the necessary areas of treatment to achieve those results will be identified. The geographical location of the office in which you have your Botox treatment will also factor into how costly the procedure is. Botox injections should be regularly maintained for the best cosmetic results, and a follow-up appointment should be made with your provider for three to four months after each treatment. By maintaining your preventative Botox you can keep fine lines and wrinkles away for longer and preserve a smooth, youthful, natural look.

Are there side effects of Botox?

Typically, there are no side effects associated with having Botox injections other than mild swelling at the injection sites, though this resolves on its own fairly quickly. Dr. Green likes to evaluate her patients two weeks after their treatment with Botox to assess treatment and determine whether any touch-up is needed.

Other potential side effects of Botox include:

• Localized swelling
• Bruising in the treatment area
• Pain at the injection site
• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms
• Dry eyes or excessive tearing
• Drooping eyelid or ptosis
• Double vision
• Blurred vision
• Dry eyes

Immediate allergic reaction side effects which require immediate medical help include:

• Itching
• Rash
• Red itchy welts
• Wheezing
• Asthma symptoms
• Dizziness

Rare side effects of botulinum toxin products may result from the speak of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may cause:

• Muscle weakness
• Trouble breathing, talking, or dysphagia (trouble swallowing)
• Vision problems
• Bladder incontinence (loss of bladder control)
• Hoarse voice
• Neck pain
• Paralysis

If you develop any of these serious side effects following Botox, further injections of Botox should be discontinued.

Patients should not receive Botox if they are allergic to any of the ingredients in Botox or if they have had a previous allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc®, Dysport®, or Xeomin®.

It is important to remember that Botox is a prescription medicine that is injected into the muscles and can have potential side effects like any other medication. Botox injections should not be done when patients are pregnant or breastfeeding. Dr. Green will thoroughly review all of your medical history and current medications with you before treating you with Botox injections for facial wrinkles.

Additionally, it is important to tell Dr. Green if you have any muscle nerve conditions such as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome. Always let Dr. Green know if you are taking any prescription medications (including muscle relaxants, antibiotics for infection, allergy or cold medicines, sleeping pills), herbal supplements, or over-the-counter medications which could potentially interact with your Botox treatment. It is always advised to discontinue any blood thinners for at least one week before your Botox injections to prevent potential bruising after treatment.

Sometimes, after having Botox injections, patients may develop antibodies to the toxin. The development of antibodies makes subsequent treatments ineffective. If someone does happen to develop antibodies to Botox, there are other brands of botulinum toxin, such as Dysport (Manufactured by Galderma) and Xeomin (Manufactured by Merz) that can be used instead of Botox to provide long-lasting results.

What to expect during preventative Botox treatment

Before having any preventative Botox injections, you can expect to have a formal consultation with Dr. Green. During your consultation, you will discuss in depth your medical history, any prior experience with Botox or other cosmetic procedures, and your desired outcomes with treatment. Depending on factors such as your unique facial structure, the location and depth of any facial wrinkles and folds, and your desired result, Dr. Green will determine the best course of treatment to help you to become the best version of yourself. If preventative Botox is something that is suited to you then treatment may be done on the same day as the consultation or scheduled for a later date, given your preference and time allowance.

On the day of your preventative Botox treatment, Dr. Green will start by expertly and precisely marking the skin at the planned injection sites. The needle used to inject Botox is ultra-thin, making the injections themselves essentially painless. A topical numbing cream can be applied to the skin in preparation for treatment to make the procedure more comfortable, however, it is not required. Dr. Green will then inject your Botox, assessing treatment throughout the procedure. Many patients prefer to have “baby Botox” injected as a preventative treatment. Upon completion of the injections, ice packs are immediately applied to the area to prevent any swelling as well as provide comfort to the treatment area.

After having treatment with cosmetic Botox injections, you should be in an upright position for the first four hours. You should refrain from strenuous activities and exercise, facials, alcohol, blood thinners, or excessive heat exposure, including saunas or steam rooms for 48 hours. The full effects of your Botox treatment are reached two weeks after the injections take place. Dr. Green recommends that all of her Botox patients return to her NYC office two weeks after their initial cosmetic injections to make reassess the treatment to be sure that the Botox injections were effective and that they have achieved the best cosmetic results.

How many units for preventative Botox?

For preventative Botox, Dr. Green seeks to take a “less-is-more” approach to injections. For many patients, the goal is to prevent the formation of wrinkles while maintaining a natural, youthful look without freezing the facial features. The exact number of units necessary depends on the areas of the face being treated. Patients can also treat multiple areas of the face to eliminate fine lines and creases, which will influence the total number of units necessary. The amount of Botox necessary will also depend on the size of the treatment area. On average, Dr. Green uses between 8 and 15 units of Botox to treat forehead lines, 20 to 22 units for a brow lift or to eliminate glabellar lines, 25 units on each side for facial slimming, and 10 to 12 units for each eye when treating crows feet or creases around the eyes. Dr. Green will determine the exact number of units necessary for your preventative Botox after your initial consultation in which you discuss your unique aesthetic goals.

Is Botox really preventative? Can preventative Botox be combined with other cosmetic treatments?

Absolutely! Botox injections can be used preventatively, stopping wrinkles and fine lines from becoming etched in the skin as a result of repeated facial expressions. Dr. Green frequently combines preventative Botox injections with various other cosmetic procedures, such as facial dermal fillers, laser treatments, and chemical peels, to artfully achieve total facial rejuvenation for her patients.

The Fraxel Dual Laser is often referred to as the “magic eraser” for its unique ability to target a wide range of skin concerns. Utilizing fractional laser technology that operates on two different wavelengths, Fraxel helps restore your skin to its original even skin tone and texture, revealing a complexion that is more youthful, beautiful, clear, and smooth. Fraxel® Dual laser can be used to treat any area of skin, all over the body, to provide intense rejuvenation results on the face, neck, décolletage, back, hands, arms, and legs. The Fraxel laser can target a wide array of concerns, treating overall pigmentation, brown spots, sun spots, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, skin texture and pore size, acne scarring, and surgical scars.

Clear + Brilliant was FDA-approved in 2011 to treat the visible signs of aging, sun damage, and skin texture. Clear + Brilliant works via fractionated laser technology, similar to Fraxel, which is designed to create millions of tiny microscopic treatment zones to stimulate new collagen formation and replace damaged skin. The result is new, younger, and healthier-looking skin.

VBEAM laser treatment is considered the gold standard for eliminating redness that is associated with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, rosacea, stretch marks, acne, broken blood vessels, sun damage, and more. The laser operates on a wavelength that exclusively targets skin cells with red pigment. The energy from the laser is converted to heat that destroys the red pigment, leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. There is no downtime at all associated with the treatment, meaning a session can be scheduled with ease.

Vivace is a treatment that uses a combination of microneedling and RF technology to produce a more youthful, radiant, and even skin tone and texture. Vivace Microneedling is an excellent option for skin tightening, as well as for improving skin texture and acne scars.  Vivace Microneedling is frequently used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and can also help to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, helping to boost the overall health of the skin.

Chemical Peels are an excellent treatment option for improving the overall texture and tone of the skin. Chemical peels gently exfoliate away the surface layers of skin, removing the dead and discolored skin cells and debris to reveal a brighter, healthier, clearer complexion. A series of chemical peels can significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, rosacea, acne, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and discoloration.

Thermage is a treatment that helps tighten and contour skin in a single session with no surgery, no injections, and no downtime. Thermage stimulates the body’s natural renewal process by inducing collagen production, generating a lifting and tightening, and providing smoother, firmer skin- without a facelift. When it comes to addressing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and loose, sagging skin, Thermage® is an excellent non-surgical option for both facial and body skin rejuvenation. Results from Thermage are typically seen 4 to 6 months after treatment and can last for up to two years. Combining Thermage treatment and Botox injections can provide patients with a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance all without plastic surgery.

Maintaining a proper anti-aging skincare routine is a great way to complement your Botox injections. Incorporating a retinol product into your skincare regimen can help accelerate skin cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, and promote an overall more youthful appearance. Retinol is derived from vitamin A and is available over the counter or as a prescription. Not only is retinol helpful for treating fine lines, but can also improve acne and other signs of aging, such as sun spots and uneven skin texture.

How long does preventative Botox last? How often should I get preventative Botox?

The effects of Botox generally last three to four months. With continued use and relaxation of the muscles of facial expression, some patients find that their Botox injections last up to six months. Regular follow-up on your Botox injections will provide you with the best cosmetic results and ensure that any fine lines and wrinkles are kept at bay to keep the skin looking smooth, refreshed, and youthful. Dr. Green recommends having your Botox injections repeated every 3 to 6 months, depending on how deep your wrinkles are and the desired effect. By using fewer units of Botox, the results are more natural looking but may be needed to repeat more frequently.

Is Botox worth it in your 20s?

There is some debate as to whether having preventative Botox in your late 20s and early 30s is a poor choice in the long run. What’s important to note about skincare is that maintenance and consistency are key to upholding a beautiful, youthful complexion in over time. So long as you keep up with Botox injections, preventative Botox prevents you from developing fine lines and deeper wrinkles. Botox only makes you look younger looking once you start treatment, and there is no threat that having Botox at a younger age will contribute to a more severely-aged appearance later on. If you stop having Botox injections, the muscles that control facial expression will be allowed to regain full range of movement, and you will revert to the ability to wrinkle once again.

Is preventative Botox worth it?

Yes! Preventative Botox works to help prevent the development of deep wrinkles that tend to form as a result of repeated facial expressions. Botox cosmetic injections have a significant preventative effect when it comes to forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and frown lines. When thinking of Botox injections, it is best to think long-term. Although Botox treats facial wrinkles in just minutes, the real value of Botox is in the maintenance and prevention of new and deep wrinkles. When you have preventative Botox, you are investing in maintaining a smooth, youthful, beautiful complexion.

Is preventative Botox real?

Preventative Botox is safe and effective, and more popular than ever. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, between the years 2000 and 2019, Botox injections increased by 878%, with 20% of all Botox injection treatments being administered to patients aged 20-39 in 2019. Preventative Botox is safe and effective and really works both to eliminate dynamic wrinkles that have already formed on the face and prevent the onset of fine lines by weakening and relaxing the muscle. The effects of Botox will wear off after three to four months. Dr. Green recommends that patients in their 20s and 30s receive Botox injections once every four to six months to continue the prevention of fine lines and wrinkle development. With repeated treatments, preventative Botox can keep your face smooth and youthful for years to come.

Does preventative Botox work?

More and more, patients in their late 20s and early 30s are using Botox to prevent dynamic wrinkles from becoming etched into the skin – and it really works. Botox injections can help patients who are already seeing wrinkles developing on their faces as well as patients who wish to prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming in the first place. For patients who are already experiencing wrinkles that stick around even when their face is at rest, Botox injections work by relaxing the muscle, which smooths out the fine lines. For patients who are in their late 20s and early 30s, whom are just starting to see wrinkles form, Botox freezes the muscle at the injection site, keeping it from contracting and forming wrinkles at all. When the muscle doesn’t contract, the dynamic wrinkles do not have a chance to form at all, thereby preventing the development of fine lines and creases on the surface of the skin.

Botox in Masseter area

When should you start preventative Botox?

When patients ask when they should begin Botox, the answer is: it depends on when wrinkles start to develop as well as each patient’s personal aesthetic goals. The development of wrinkles can occur in four stages: in the first stage of wrinkle development, you will notice wrinkles when you make a facial expression, such as furrowing your brow, smiling, or raising your eyebrows. In stage 1, these dynamic wrinkles only appear when you are making a facial expression and disappear immediately when your face is at rest. Most people in their early 20s (and earlier) experience stage 1 wrinkles and will not need Botox at this time. Preventative Botox works best when patients start to notice stage 2 wrinkles. Stage 2 wrinkles start to appear as the body’s production of collagen decreases and can show up in your late 20s and early 30s. In stage 2, the dynamic wrinkles form when you make facial expressions and then remain etched on your face for some time after your face returns to rest. If you are looking to get preventative Botox, you may want to begin in stage 2 to eliminate the chance that the dynamic wrinkles become etched into your skin.

Once patients reach stage 3, which occurs when the wrinkles become completely etched in the skin such that makeup gets caught in the creases, then Botox is used more as a treatment rather than a prevention method. However, Botox is still a great treatment option to then eliminate the fine lines and wrinkles that have developed. Stage 4 occurs when wrinkles are deeply etched in the skin. Botox can still be used as an effective treatment but may need to be paired with other treatments to completely smooth out the skin.

Where to get preventative Botox? How to choose an injector

It’s important that when you choose an injector to provide your preventative Botox treatment you select someone who has the experience and the expertise to masterfully deliver natural, beautiful results. The best place to get preventative Botox is in the medical office of a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. Having Botox injections with a board-certified dermatologist is typically more expensive than when having them with a nurse or at a medical spa, but you then have access to a provider you can trust to give you the best cosmetic results and follow-up.

Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified, internationally renowned dermatologist and an Allergan platinum Botox injector with over 25 years of experience. She was one of the first providers in New York City to offer cosmetic Botox injections and has treated some of the most discerning men and women in the world from her discreet Upper East Side office. Her background in art beautifully marries with the science of dermatology, and she is consistently awarded the title of one of the best doctors in New York by Castle Connolly, the New York Times, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine. When you schedule a consultation with Dr. Green for preventative Botox, you can be sure you’ve chosen someone with the skill to provide you with beautiful results and help you look and feel like the best version of yourself.

Does Botox stop acne?

Botox is most commonly known for its unique ability to improve the appearance of dynamic fine lines and wrinkles. Botox has also been shown to limit the production of excess sebum in the pores, which can help prevent breakouts of acne. When it comes to resolving active acne breakouts, however, Botox treatment alone should not be relied upon. Patients that are struggling with persistent comedones, cysts, nodules, pustules, or papules should instead consult with a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green in NYC, regarding their acne and the various treatment options available. There are a host of acne treatments offered in the private dermatology office of Dr. Michele Green, located in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan. Acne vulgaris, and cystic lesions, in particular, require swift and proper treatment in order to best prevent acne scars from forming. When you consult with Dr. Green, she will collect a thorough medical history and physically evaluate the condition of your skin. She will then work with you to develop a customized acne treatment plan that incorporates the best non-invasive in-office procedures and specially formulated skincare products for your specific skin concerns and goals.

Does Botox stop sweating?

Excessive sweating, also referred to as hyperhidrosis, is a medical condition that can be effectively treated with regular Botox injections. Hyperhidrosis is a common condition that affects nearly 3 percent of people in the United States, equivalent to about 15 million Americans. The primary symptom of hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that is unrelated to exercise, feelings of stress, or heat. Individuals that suffer from hyperhidrosis may experience frequent and excessive sweating without any exertion and develop symptoms such as body odor, skin irritation (itching or inflammation), and frequent skin infection. Patients with primary hyperhidrosis will most commonly be affected in certain areas of the body, including the hands, feet, face, and underarms. Patients with secondary hyperhidrosis typically experience generalized excessive sweating that is not specific to any given area of the body. Botox injections are FDA approved for treating hyperhidrosis and have been shown to reduce sweating by 82-87%, according to sweathelp.org. Botulinum toxin injections are used to disable the sweat glands. Botox works by inhibiting the action of the sweat glands in the treatment area. Dr. Green is an expert injector of Botox and has over 25 years of experience providing the best Botox in New York City, including for hyperhidrosis.

Is Botox preventative for wrinkles? How is Botox preventative?

Yes! Botox is an amazing preventative anti-aging cosmetic treatment! Botox injections can help prevent the aging process by limiting the contraction of certain facial muscles related to expression. Dynamic wrinkles are those which form as a result of repeated facial expressions, causing fine lines to become etched into the skin over time. Botox can be a preventative cosmetic treatment by keeping dynamic wrinkles from forming in the first place. For patients 18 and older, there is no particular age that is considered to be the best time to start with preventative Botox injections. Patients that are interested in preventative anti-aging treatment options, including preventative Botox, should consult with Dr. Green at her private dermatology office located in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan.

How to avoid droopy eyelids from Botox injections

The best way to avoid droopy eyelids from Botox injections is to have the treatment with an expert injector, such as Dr. Michele Green in New York City. A board-certified cosmetic dermatologist like Dr. Green has the experience and expertise required to produce the best cosmetic results while limiting potential risks and side effects. Dr. Green has over 25 years of experience providing what is described as the “Best Botox injections in New York City. Combining the necessary medical knowledge of various facial muscles with an artistic approach to injections, Dr. Green helps her patients from around the globe achieve their ideal pan-facial rejuvenation results. For her dedication to her patients and expertise, she is consistently identified as one of the best dermatologists in NYC by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors.

How to get started with Preventative Botox today

Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience injecting Botox and is known as one of the best Botox injectors in all of New York City. Her unique injection technique and ‘less is more’ approach to Botox injections will keep you looking and feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and youthful. Preventative Botox is the perfect anti-aging treatment for individuals who are looking to keep wrinkles and fine lines from developing in the first place, and Dr. Green is here to help.

Choosing the right injector to perform your preventative Botox is essential for guaranteeing that your results are satisfactory and that the procedure is performed in a methodical, appropriate way. Dr. Michele Green is consistently voted as one of the best physicians in New York by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine. Dr. Green takes pride in the relationships that she builds with her patients and will take the time required to thoroughly understand your specific concerns, customizing your treatment plan so that it incorporates the cosmetic injectables that are best suited to you and deliver the cosmetic results you are after. If you’re interested in learning more about Botox or preventative Botox injections to keep fine lines and wrinkles from appearing, please contact us online today or call our New York City-based office at 212-535-3088.