If you’ve heard of “Baby Botox” but were left with questions (including “What does that even mean?!”) this article is for you.
First, we must briefly dive into the anatomy of a wrinkle. When we make a facial expression, our muscles contract, pulling the skin to form a crease or groove. When we are young, our skin can easily bounce back and the lines that show evidence of the expression disappear. As we age, our skin thins and loses its elastic properties, consequently losing its ability to snap back and smooth out. The result? Fine lines and wrinkles remain even when we stop making facial expressions.
Baby Botox, also known as preventative Botox, can be an effective way to reduce the appearance of these lines by preventing them from forming in the first place. When injected, it blocks the muscles from contracting as forcefully and diminishes the lines they produce. Starting treatment in your earlier years can help discourage wrinkle formation years down the road.
The term “preventative” can be a bit misleading. Without a thorough understanding, this term can make it sound like a one-and-done deal: you get Botox once when you’re young and never have to see a wrinkle in your future. Wouldn’t that be great! Unfortunately this is not the case. The efficacy of neurotoxin typically lasts around 3 months, depending on the patient. Over time you will slowly regain movement in the muscles and ultimately see a reappearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Treatment is not permanent and must be maintained in order to reap the benefit.
When it comes to preventing wrinkles, Botox is not the only thing we recommend starting early. Someone once said, “Nothing looks as good in your fifties as wearing sunscreen in your twenties,” and we couldn’t agree more. Wearing your SPF daily plays a huge role in helping protect against damage caused by the sun’s UV rays, including the development of sunspots and wrinkles which can prematurely age you.
Nadine Sabino, B.Sc.N.
