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 non-invasive cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. More younger patients than ever before are seeking out preventative anti-aging cosmetic treatments and getting Botox. Preventative Botox and “baby Botox” have become two of the most requested cosmetic treatments 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 cosmetic dermatology due to the consistently stunning results, ease of the cosmetic procedure, few potential side effects, and the lack of downtime involved. Botox, AKA botulinum toxin, is a neuromodulator that blocks nerve signals to targeted facial muscles near the injection sites, which essentially ‘freezes’ them. By doing so, Botox effectively reduces the ability of the facial muscle to contract fully, resulting in smoother skin. Having cosmetic Botox injections diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that develop due to repeated facial expressions. Preventative Botox injections are intended to be performed before fine lines are visible at rest to keep them from developing in the first place. To avoid unwanted side effects, guarantee safety, and ensure optimal results are achieved, it is critical that Botox and preventative Botox injections are done by an experienced and knowledgeable injector.

Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing some of the world’s most discerning individuals with the most innovative non-invasive cosmetic treatments, 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 regarding 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 getting Botox before any forehead wrinkles or frown lines become permanently apparent, their development is stopped in the first place. Botox is a neurotoxin and an injectable treatment that reduces dynamic fine lines by inhibiting nerve signals to targeted facial muscles. Dynamic fine lines form over time due to repeated facial expressions. Botox results in a smoother skin texture by limiting the contractions of facial muscles related to expression. Preventative Botox is an anti-aging cosmetic treatment that keeps fine lines from forming to begin with. Dr. Green embraces a less-is-more philosophy regarding Botox injections, providing a natural-looking, more youthful appearance. The cosmetic effects of Botox last up to four months, with most patients having regular maintenance treatments to keep up the best results.

Preventative Botox has recently gained immense attention and interest thanks to social media. It has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in Dr. Michele Green’s NYC dermatology office, with more young men and women getting Botox injections than ever before. Influencers and celebrities on varying social media platforms have a powerful impact on beauty, skincare, and wellness trends. Now, more than ever, they are opening up about the cosmetic procedures they have done, including preventative Botox injections. This new wave of preventative skincare as a part of self-care encourages more people to embrace non-invasive anti-aging cosmetic treatments, such as preventative Botox. Younger patients love preventative Botox because of the consistently stunning results, essentially zero downtime, and ease of having the cosmetic procedure. This page will tell you everything you need to know about preventative Botox.

Fillers & Botox for lips

At what age should you get Preventative Botox injections?

As we age, our skin loses the natural collagen and elastin due to a combination of sun damage, the environment, and genetics. Collagen and elastin are proteins that provide the skin with a firm foundation and give it the ability to ‘bounce back.’ As skin elasticity decreases, facial expressions that we often repeat can cause dynamic fine lines and deeper creases, most commonly affecting areas like the forehead, glabella, and crow’s feet. Botox injections can help to soften the appearance of dynamic fine lines, and many may wonder: when is the right time to start having cosmetic Botox injections?

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

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 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 facial 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 expression that will eventually lead to a wrinkle forming.

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.” Rather than targeting dynamic wrinkles, these fillers help smooth out other facial creases. Fillers are often used to reduce creases such as the nasolabial, smile, and marionette lines. Dermal fillers can also be used to enhance certain facial features and help restore lost facial volume in the mid-face, jowls, and jawline, and combining them with preventative Botox provides complete facial rejuvenation treatment.

The Juvederm® family of fillers includes some of the most popular dermal filler products in the United States. Several types of Juvederm filler products are 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 improved 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. 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 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 creases and fine lines 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 used as a collagen stimulator to correct depressions and surface irregularities in the skin. Sculptra injections improve wrinkles, depressions, skin folds, stretch marks, scars, and hollows on the body and face. The active ingredient of Sculptra is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a well-known material 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 it is gradually broken down and naturally removed from the body. Following injections, Sculptra begins the process of stimulating your body to produce new, natural collagen gradually.

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

Getting Botox may not be something you thought you’d have to consider until later in life. If you’re unsure whether or not getting Botox or preventative Botox injections 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 help you make the decision. One potential sign that it might be time to consider anti-aging cosmetic treatments such as Botox is when facial fine lines and wrinkles are visible, even when the face is relaxed and at rest. It is normal for fine lines and wrinkles to appear when making natural facial expressions, but if they remain when the face is completely relaxed, then Botox injections might be a solution for you.

The beauty of preventative Botox is that it can be just that – a preventative measure against developing deep lines, wrinkles, and folds. Think of preventative Botox as part of your anti-aging skincare routine, like wearing sunscreen daily. Younger patients are taking advantage of cosmetic treatments like preventative Botox before fine lines are visible at rest to keep them from forming in the first place. An increasing number of patients in their late 20s-early 30s are turning to preventive Botox or ‘baby Botox’ to prevent signs of aging from developing. Starting with preventative Botox can help you maintain a smooth, beautiful, youthful complexion in the long run.

One of the main advantages of Botox injections as a cosmetic treatment is that it is a proven technology that offers the patient a non-invasive, quick-to-administer solution without downtime. The injectable treatment is straightforward and quick enough to perform during one’s lunch break and produces cosmetic effects that last for around three to four months. Most patients have Botox injections on a regular quarterly schedule to maintain the best results. In addition, side effects from the treatment tend to be 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 that incorporates a combination of non-invasive cosmetic treatments and specially formulated skincare products to achieve long-lasting, natural-looking rejuvenation results.

Botox for forehead / glabella area

How does preventative Botox work?

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

Botox is a neurotoxin and injectable treatment that works by essentially “freezing” targeted facial muscles to limit muscle contractions. Botox, or onabotulinumtoxinA, is a neuromodulator that, when injected into the facial muscle, inhibits the muscle’s neurotransmitters that send signals to the brain telling the power to activate. As a result, the muscle can no longer contract and will subsequently relax. When patients already have wrinkles etched into the skin, this muscle relaxation can smooth out the fine lines and wrinkles. But for patients in their late 20s and early 30s receiving preventative Botox injections, the relaxation of the muscle inhibits the use of that muscle to make facial expressions. Consequently, the dynamic fine lines that form due to repeated contractions never form in the first place. To maintain the preventative anti-aging effects, 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 that 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, most obvious when you smile or squint.
• Necklines or Cords. Botox can 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, one of the signs 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 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. Botox injections from a board-certified dermatologist or a plastic surgeon are typically more expensive. However, it’s worth the investment, considering you can access unmatched expertise and experience. Botox treatment with a nurse or 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 is known to be one of the best Botox injectors in 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 treatment areas to achieve those results will be identified. The office location where you have your Botox treatment will also factor into the procedure’s cost. 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 Botox injections other than mild swelling at the injection sites, though this resolves on its own pretty quickly. Dr. Green likes to evaluate her patients two weeks after their Botox treatment to assess the results and determine whether any touch-up is needed.

Other potential side effects of Botox injections 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 that 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 mention of toxic effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may cause:

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

If you develop any of these severe side effects, you should not have Botox injections in the future.

Patients should not get 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 injected into the facial muscles and can have potential side effects like any other medication. Pregnant and breastfeeding patients should not get Botox injections. When you consult with Dr. Green, she will collect a thorough medical history and review current medications to ensure you are a good candidate before treating you with cosmetic Botox injections.

Additionally, it is important to tell Dr. Green if you have any conditions such as ALS, 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 that could potentially interact with your Botox injections. It is always advised to discontinue blood thinners for at least one week before your Botox injections to prevent potential bruising after treatment. For those who are very prone to bruising, Dr. Green recommends taking oral Arnika Forte for several days before the Botox injections. Arnika is an oral herbal supplement that can help prevent and treat bruising.

Sometimes, after having Botox injections, patients may develop antibodies to the toxin. The development of antibodies makes subsequent treatments ineffective. Suppose someone does happen to produce antibodies to Botox. In that case, other brands of botulinum toxin, such as Dysport (Manufactured by Galderma) and Xeomin (Manufactured by Merz), can be used instead of Botox to provide long-lasting results. If you notice that the cosmetic effects of your Botox injections fade more quickly than expected, alert Dr. Green. Dr. Green may suggest utilizing a different but comparable neuromodulator.

What to expect during preventative Botox treatment

Before having any preventative Botox injections, you can expect to have a formal consultation with Dr. Green at her private dermatology office in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood. During your consultation, Dr. Green will collect a thorough medical history, review previous cosmetic procedures you may have had, including Botox injections, and discuss your specific concerns and aesthetic goals. Dr. Green will develop a personalized cosmetic treatment plan based on factors such as your unique facial structure, the location and depth of any fine lines, and your desired results. If preventative Botox suits you, treatment may be done on the same day as the consultation or scheduled for a later date, given your preference and time allowance.

On your preventative Botox treatment day, Dr. Green will start by expertly and precisely marking the skin at the planned injection sites. The type of needle used for Botox injections is ultra-thin, making them painless. For very sensitive patients, 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 perform your Botox injections, assessing treatment throughout the process. 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 and provide comfort to the treatment area.

After having Botox injections, you should stay upright 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 injections are reached two weeks after the injections occur. Dr. Green recommends that all of her Botox patients return to her NYC office two weeks after their initial cosmetic injections to reassess the treatment to be sure that the Botox injections were effective and that they have achieved the best cosmetic results.

How many units of 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 fine lines while maintaining a natural, youthful look without over-freezing the facial features. The exact number of units of Botox 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, influencing 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?

Botox really can be a preventative cosmetic treatment for patients in their mid to late 20s who would like to keep fine lines from developing in the first place. It is important to consult an experienced board-certified dermatologist with expertise regarding preventative Botox injections to ensure you are a good candidate for the cosmetic procedure and to guarantee you achieve optimal cosmetic results. Dr. Green is a board-certified dermatologist and Allergan platinum injector of Botox with decades of experience. She will work with you to create a personalized anti-aging cosmetic treatment plan that best suits your unique skin concerns and aesthetic goals so that you look and feel like the best version of yourself.

Can preventative Botox be combined with other cosmetic treatments?

Absolutely! Botox injections can prevent wrinkles and fine lines from becoming etched in the skin due to repeated facial expressions. Dr. Green frequently combines preventative Botox injections with 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 called 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 treat many body areas, providing intense rejuvenation to the face, neck, décolletage, back, hands, arms, and legs. The Fraxel laser can target many 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, designed to create millions of tiny microscopic treatment zones to stimulate new collagen formation and replace damaged skin. The result is new, younger, healthier-looking skin and an overall more even skin tone and texture. Like Botox injections, many patients take advantage of the skin rejuvenation benefits of Clear + Brilliant as a preventative measure in their late 20s to early 30s.

VBEAM laser treatment is considered the gold standard for eliminating redness 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. The laser is equipped with a Dynamic Cooling Device, which releases a burst of cool air before each laser pulse, making the treatment more comfortable. There is no downtime associated with the treatment, meaning a session can be scheduled easily.

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 and improving 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 skin’s surface layers, 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, injections, or downtime. Thermage stimulates the body’s natural renewal process by inducing collagen production, generating a lifting and tightening, and providing smoother, firmer skin. 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 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 a 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 it can also improve acne and other signs of aging, such as sun spots and uneven skin texture.

How long does preventative Botox last?

The effects of Botox generally last three to four months. With continued use of Botox and the relaxation of the muscles of facial expression, some patients find that their Botox injections last up to six months. Regular follow-up on Botox injections will provide you with the best cosmetic results and ensure that 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. Using fewer units of Botox makes the results more natural looking but may need to be repeated 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 over time. So long as you keep up with Botox injections, preventative Botox prevents you from developing fine lines and deeper creases. Botox only makes you look younger once you start treatment, and there is no indication getting 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 due to repeated facial expressions. Botox injections can significantly prevent 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 invest in maintaining a smooth, youthful, beautiful complexion.

Is preventative Botox a myth?

Preventative Botox is a safe and effective cosmetic treatment and is more popular than ever as an anti-aging preventative measure. 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 to eliminate dynamic wrinkles that have already formed on the face and prevent the onset of fine lines by weakening and relaxing the facial muscles. 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.

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 and 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 facial muscles, which smooths out the fine lines. For patients in their late 20s and early 30s who are just starting to see wrinkles form due to aging, Botox freezes the muscle at the injection site, keeping it from contracting and forming wrinkles. 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 skin’s surface.

Botox in Masseter area

When to start preventative Botox

When patients ask when they should begin preventative Botox, the answer is it depends on when fine lines start to develop and 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 collagen production 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 want 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 and makeup gets caught in the creases, Botox is used more as a treatment than a prevention method. However, Botox is still a great treatment option to 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 smooth out the skin completely.

How often to get preventative Botox

Since the effects of Botox injections last 3-4 months, most patients have treatments on a regular quarterly schedule for maintenance. A common misconception about Botox is that fine lines and wrinkles worsen once the effects wear off. Without regular maintenance treatments, the skin simply reverts to its original condition. Getting Botox will not lead to new signs of aging if patients choose to discontinue treatments later. When you consult with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Green, she will work with you to develop a timeline for your cosmetic treatments that best suits your needs.

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 with the experience and the expertise to deliver natural, beautiful results masterfully. 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 having them with a nurse or at a medical spa. Still, you can access an experienced board-certified dermatologist to give you the best cosmetic results and follow-up. Getting Botox injections with an inexperienced or unqualified injector is more likely to lead to unwanted side effects, like drooping, and poor cosmetic results.

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 dermatologists 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 excess sebum production in the pores, which can help prevent acne breakouts. However, Botox injections alone should not be relied upon when it comes to resolving active acne breakouts. Patients 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. A host of acne treatments are 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 to best prevent acne scars from forming. For many, acne scars can induce feelings of low self-esteem, and they are often much more challenging to treat than the initial breakouts themselves. 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 incorporating 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, or hyperhidrosis, is a medical condition that can be managed effectively 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 suffering from hyperhidrosis may experience frequent excessive sweating without exertion and develop symptoms such as body odor, skin irritation (itching or inflammation), and frequent skin infections. Patients with primary hyperhidrosis will most commonly be affected in certain body areas, including the hands, feet, face, and underarms. Patients with secondary hyperhidrosis typically experience generalized excessive sweating that is not specific to any given body area. 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.

Do preventative Botox injections reduce wrinkles? Will Botox prevent future wrinkles?

Preventative botox typically requires a lesser amount of product than when treating existing wrinkles. Preventative Botox may not suffice to treat existing wrinkles; patients will require regular Botox treatment. Preventative Botox can help prevent future fine lines and wrinkles for patients who do not yet have them when their face is at rest. When you consult expert injector board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, she will evaluate your skin condition and determine whether you are a good candidate for preventative Botox, Botox, or another non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment.

How is Botox preventative?

Yes! Botox is an amazing preventative anti-aging cosmetic treatment! Botox injections can help prevent aging by limiting the contraction of certain facial muscles related to expression. Dynamic wrinkles are those that 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 fine lines from forming in the first place. For patients 18 and older, no particular age is considered the best time to start with preventative Botox injections. Patients interested in preventative anti-aging treatment options, including preventative Botox, should consult with Dr. Green at her private dermatology office in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood.

What are the downsides of preventative Botox?

Preventative Botox injections with an experienced injector are beneficial due to minimal risks, personalizable treatment, prevention of signs of aging, and few side effects. If an unqualified or inexperienced injector provides treatment- it can result in unwanted side effects and poor cosmetic results, including a drooping effect. To avoid the downside of unwanted side effects, be sure to get Botox injections with an experienced and knowledgeable injector like Dr. Green. Some may consider one of the potential ‘downsides’ to preventative Botox to be the duration of its cosmetic effects. However, many patients appreciate that their Botox injections can be adjusted and customized to meet their evolving cosmetic needs. Another common misconception is that getting Botox earlier in life can lead to more severe signs of aging or other negative side effects later on. Botox injections are safe for most people, and your age at the time of your first treatment generally won’t put you at a higher risk of side effects. Once the facial muscles can move again, pre-existing fine lines and wrinkles will return, and new ones have the potential to form. However, Botox injections will not accelerate aging if treatment is discontinued later.

How to avoid droopy eyelids from Botox injections

The best way to avoid droopy eyelids and other potential unwanted side effects from Botox injections is to have the cosmetic 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 was among the first dermatologists in New York City to offer cosmetic Botox injections and has over 25 years of experience providing what is described as the “Best Botox in NYC.” 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. She is consistently identified as one of the best dermatologists in NYC by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors for her dedication to her patients and expertise.

How to get started with Preventative Botox today

Preventative Botox injections are an excellent anti-aging cosmetic treatment option for keeping fine lines and wrinkles from developing in the first place. Botox is the gold standard for eliminating dynamic fine lines, and now, younger patients can enjoy the benefits of Botox as a preventative measure. Choosing the right injector to perform your preventative Botox is essential for guaranteeing that your results are satisfactory and that the procedure is performed methodically and appropriately. Preventative Botox is the perfect anti-aging treatment for individuals looking to keep wrinkles and fine lines from developing in the first place, and Dr. Green is here to help.

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 naturally refreshed, rejuvenated, and youthful. She is consistently identified as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine for her dedication to her patients and expertise. Dr. Green takes pride in the relationships she builds with her patients and will take the time required to thoroughly understand your specific concerns, customizing your treatment plan to incorporate the cosmetic treatments best suited to you and deliver the results you are after. If you want to learn more about preventative Botox injections and alternative skin rejuvenation treatments to keep fine lines and wrinkles from appearing, please contact us online or call our New York City-based office at 212-535-3088.