Preventative Botox: What It Is and How It Works

Botox is one of the most common cosmetic injectables used by men and women alike to treat wrinkles. Botox (also known as botulinum toxin) and other neuromodulators are used as a corrective treatment, with most people choosing to get these cosmetic injectables once they notice deep lines and wrinkles on their face, usually as a result of ageing. 

However, neuromodulators are increasingly being used in a preventative manner by younger people looking to prevent wrinkles from appearing altogether — this is often called preventative Botox, or ‘baby Botox.’ 

How “Baby Botox” Works

Botox is a neuromodulator, which is an injectable substance that works by relaxing the muscles around the injection site. This hinders the muscle’s range of motion, preventing it from contracting and forming wrinkles in the skin. 

The logic behind preventative Botox is that by using it preemptively, instead of treating existing wrinkles, they’ll prevent them from forming in the first place. 

Many of the people getting preventative Botox are in their late twenties or early thirties — or even younger. In fact, Botox injections have increased 28 percent since 2010 amongst 20 to 29-year-olds.

The Benefits of Preventative Treatments

Preventative cosmetic treatments come with a wide range of benefits, including:

• Delaying Signs of Aging: By targeting expression lines before they become permanent, you can maintain a youthful appearance for longer.
• Minimal Downtime: Most medical aesthetics treatments are minimally invasive and require little to no downtime, making them a convenient option for those with busy lifestyles.
• Customized Treatment: An experienced nurse can tailor your treatments to your unique facial structure and needs, ensuring natural-looking results.

Botox and Facial Anatomy

As you know, Botox works by limiting the movement of the muscles in the treated area. This is why it’s so important for your injector to have an intimate understanding of each individual facial muscle, as well as the mechanics of how that specific muscle impacts the movement of the face. 

Botox injections can lead to temporary muscle atrophy in the treated area. This atrophy is part of the desired outcome in various cosmetic and therapeutic applications, such as reducing the appearance of wrinkles or managing specific medical conditions. It’s essential to understand that this muscle atrophy is typically reversible and gradually resolves as the effects of Botox diminish, allowing the muscles to return to their normal state.

Some of the most common areas Botox is used to treat are the forehead, around the eyes and the nose and mouth. Understanding how the muscles move in each of these areas of the face will help determine the best injection method and location. The goal is to limit movement in a way that does not negatively impede the patient, while preventing the formation of deep lines and wrinkles. 

Forehead

The main muscles treated by Botox in the forehead are the frontalis and the glabellar complex. The frontalis controls the upward movement of the brow and is where horizontal lines on the forehead form. The glabellar complex controls movement between the eyebrows and is where vertical frown lines or “elevens” form. 

Eyes

The muscles treated by Botox in the eye area are the orbicularis oculi. These muscles control the small movements around the eye socket and are where the fine lines adjacent to the outer corner of the eye called ‘crows feet’ form. 

Mouth and Nose

There are many different muscles in this area of the face that control both vertical and lateral movement of the mouth, nose and cheeks. Two of the most common muscles to be treated with Botox are the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi and orbicularis oris. The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi control the vertical movement of the upper lip and causes nasolabial lines to form, while the orbicularis oris controls the closing or compressing of the lips and causes radial lip lines to form.

Is Preventative Botox Right for You?

This treatment can be a game changer when it comes to stopping wrinkles in their tracks. If you’ve decided to take the preventative Botox route, you’ll need to find an experienced and reliable injector. When researching the best Botox clinics, make sure you look at their years of experience, as well as their background. 

Ideally, you’ll want to find a medical aesthetics clinic that has injectors with a medical background since their expertise in facial anatomy will give them better accuracy when determining the best injection placement for your specific concerns. The majority of negative Botox side effects happen due to mistakes in the injector’s application techniques – so choosing an experienced nurse injector is key!

Book a Treatment at Our Ottawa Botox Clinic

If you’ve decided to give preventative treatments a try, the first step is to come in for a consultation. Our team of experienced nurse injectors can answer any questions you may have and determine the best injection plan for your specific skin concerns. Our team has over XX years of combined nursing experience and has treated many men and women over the years looking to keep their skin looking smooth and wrinkle free! Book a consultation today to learn more.