Botox for Wrinkle Prevention

Over the last few years, there is a tremendous increase in the number of patients in their 20's or 30's requesting Botox as a way to ward off future wrinkles. Botox treatment may no longer be dominated by baby boomers trying to turn back time. A growing number of younger women are going for the needle to improve upon their already youthful looks and prevent deep wrinkles from forming later on.

According to a research from Oregon Health Sciences University in USA, consistent treatments with Botulinum Toxin Type-A (eg. Botox) have a wrinkle preventing effect. The study suggest that patients who begin receiving injections every 3-4 months while in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s are able to prevent wrinkles from forming.

Aging causes 2 main types of wrinkles - dynamic and static wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles occur only when we use our facial muscles to form expressions. During facial expressions such as smiling and frowning our muscles contract and cause the skin to wrinkle.

Photo source : American Society for Plastic Surgeons
Top photo : An example of dynamic wrinkles - forehead frown lines that disappear when the patient relaxes

Bottom photo : glabellar folds (dynamic wrinkles)

Static wrinkles are the wrinkles and folds that are present even at rest. They develop after the skin is being repeatedly folded during facial expressions. As we get older, a loss of collagen and elastin impairs the skin structure, thus causing the skin to be less able to spring back to its original position after facial expression.

Photo source : Just Jared
Actress Minka Kelly, 31 has been photographed with early mild horizontal static wrinkles across her forehead.

Photo source : AFP
Chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay has a heavily-lined forehead and deep static wrinkles. He is later reported to have received Botox treatment to flatten out his crinkly chin.

If dynamic wrinkles are eliminated with regular Botox treatment, by theory static wrinkles should not have the opportunity to form as the skin will not be folded during facial expression.

Unfortunately, nothing can stop the aging process and wrinkle prevention is just one way to delay aging. We should not wait until the appearance of deep wrinkles to receive Botox treatment. Static wrinkles will require more extensive treatment such as dermal fillers to minimize the wrinkles. Meanwhile, fight wrinkle formation with a broad spectrum sunscreen and no smoking.