When Should I Start Botox? A Guide to Beginning Preventative Botox Injections In Raleigh
When should you begin Botox treatments? No matter where you’re based, it mostly depends on your skin’s individual needs as well as genetic and environmental factors.
Making the decision to get Botox treatments for preventative reasons is a great way to stop early signs of aging. We’ll guide you through how soon you should be thinking about preventative Botox as an option in Raleigh, North Carolina.
What is Botox and How Does It Help Wrinkles?
Onobotilunumtoxin A (botulinum toxin type A), or Botox for short, is a non-invasive age prevention method. While Botox can also be used for other conditions such as excessive sweating and certain muscular issues, its popularity continues to rise for preventing fine lines and wrinkles.
Botox is derived from bacteria to create a neurotoxin. When mixed with the right amount of saline, it can be safely used for treatment. Injecting Botox directly into the muscles causing wrinkles can lessen their appearance and delay developing further ones.
Finding the right person to administer Botox is essential prior to getting treatment.
Thankfully, Botox has been safely administered for 20 years and continues to rise in popularity. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it was the most popular plastic surgery procedure during and post-lockdown. 4.4 million Botox procedures were performed in 2020 alone.
It’s also easy to find the right professional for your needs. Botox professionals are able to treat both dynamic (caused by movement) and static (caused by genetics and gravity) wrinkles.
How Early Can I Start Botox?
Botox is approved for anyone 18 and older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to storm into your closest Botox center on your 18th birthday.
The best time to start Botox is whenever you begin to see any fine lines or wrinkles appear on the skin. This normally happens around a person’s mid-20’s or early 30’s. Even faint lines can be a signal that a wrinkle is about to form in that area of the skin. So if you haven’t been paying attention to your skin, start looking closely in the mirror for the early warning signs.
Some people will preemptively use Botox around the areas most likely to cause wrinkles, including between the brows, mouth lines, and forehead.
Also take note of your family’s genetics. Where do their own wrinkles appear? More importantly, when did their wrinkles and fine lines appear? This is especially true for relatives you closely resemble. So if you look a lot like your mother, ask her (gently and nicely, please) when she began to notice them. This will give you an idea of when you’ll need to start.
The absolute best prevention is to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and cleanse and moisturize the skin. That way, inevitable signs of aging will slow down and give you time to see progression and stop it before it gets worse.
How Many Botox Treatments Will I Need for Prevention purposes?
This greatly depends on the severity of the lines or wrinkles being treated. Clinicians will administer anywhere between 10-50 units per treatment.
The effects of Botox are temporary and last for anywhere between three to fourth months, though it can last longer Some people report only needing to go every six months, especially after repeated treatments.
While starting Botox early means you may need treatments for a longer period of time, you will ultimately use less Botox than someone beginning later in life. Consistency is key to maintaining the results of your treatments.
However, not many people know that getting too many treatments can actually cause atrophy in the muscles, making your appearance worse than better. So before you schedule multiple appointments in a row for the same areas, ask a professional for advice. Someone not properly trained in Botox could cause adverse effects.
How Long Will Botox Treatments Take?
Most procedures only last around 15 to 20 minutes. This means you can easily slip an appointment in during your lunch break or another time without major disruption of your day.
Make sure that the day you plan your procedure is one where you are able to rest and not participate in vigorous physical labor. Also ensure you can sit up straight for at least four to five hours post-injection.
If you are anxious about needles or get nervous during medical appointments, schedule your session during a day and time where you can have plenty of time to prepare and unwind.
Do I Qualify for Preventative Botox Treatments?
Botox is effective on fine lines and wrinkles caused by repeated muscular movements such as frowning, smiling, lifting your brows, and other actions.
If you are 18 and older and are bothered by the presence of emerging fine lines and wrinkles caused by genetics or repeated muscular movements, you could be a great candidate for Botox.
How Much is Preventative Botox?
Typically, preventative Botox costs anywhere between $150-$250 per session. Depend on amount of unit injected & price per unit.
Insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures, so you can expect to pay out of pocket for each session you need.
How Can Mid-Carolina OB/GYN Help with Your Botox Needs?
Serving Raleigh, Cary, Durham and anywhere in North Carolina and beyond, our team at Mid-Carolina OB/GYN is trained to take care of your Botox needs.
