The year is 2022 and the age of Zoom meetings and Instagram models is in full swing. New technology has allowed people more creative freedom when it comes to screen usage, but unfortunately, there are repercussions that accompany this digital surge. For example, last year 90% of girls admitted to using beauty filters and editing tools before posting photos of themselves (aka- creative freedom in appearance.)
Beauty filters are fun, but after a while, there can be some serious long-term side effects. People get addicted to their distorted appearance through their screens and become disappointed when their mirror doesn’t match. The line between fantasy and reality in looks is getting blurrier and blurrier each year.
Hence, the growing popularity of botox and fillers.
In the past, botox and fillers were thought to be more for mature-aged people with severe frown lines and crow’s feet. It was something that celebrities in Hollywood were known for using in order to preserve their onscreen appearance, but definitely not something that the average person budgeted for. Botox was a luxury product saved for a select few.
In 2022 however, the trend is to actually LOOK the same way the beauty filters make you look. The trend is to treat frown lines and crow’s feet BEFORE they become a problem. The trend is BOTOX.
What is Botox
Before you start injecting foreign substances into your body, don’t you want to know what’s in it?
I know I do.
Botox is short for botulinum toxin. If you think this bacterium sounds familiar, you’d be right! Botulinum toxin is directly associated with life-threatening food poisoning called botulism.
When used as an injection into human muscle tissue, the Botulinum toxin is added to a saline solution which dilutes the toxin, making it safe to inject directly into the muscle. These injections paralyze and weaken the muscles making it harder to flex and contract the injection site.
In the human face, the flexing and contracting of our facial muscles are what produce our facial expressions – that over time, result in wrinkles.
What is Preventative Botox?
So, at what age should you start looking toward botox injections? Truth be told, there isn’t a definitive number. People seek anti-aging solutions the moment they start to notice the fine lines and wrinkles forming on their faces.
The key to preventive botox is to begin injections at the first noticeable sign, this way, you can inhibit wrinkles from getting deeper. If your face is prevented from folding and if you can pause time at the injection site, you are basically buying time for your face.
Nowadays, instead of younger generations disappointing themselves with filters that temporarily improve their appearance, they are investing in more permanent solutions. People are starting the preventive botox process as early as their 20’s!
Crow’s feet lines from smiling are being smoothed out before they become a permanent problem. Eyebrows are moving slightly less, but starting this process sooner rather than later can prevent the need for cosmetic surgery later in life.
Common Facial Aging Causes
Age itself is not the only cause of aging skin. Sun exposure, diet, exercise, and genetics are all variables that impact your skin’s youthful glow. Sure, time is the main factor in aging skin, but there are some unhealthy habits that have proven to accelerate skin aging.
Sun Exposure– UV rays from the sun have an extremely damaging effect on the growth and appearance of skin. Not only will your skin burn from too much exposure, but over time, your body’s ability to heal those damaged cells weakens. With too much rupture and repair, those cells can turn cancerous.
Dehydration– When you hydrate your skin with water, it creates a more supple and plump look to the skin. Fine lines are filled in naturally and your complexion gains a dewy glow. When you are dehydrated, your face looks dull and can become itchy. Your skin is like a sponge. When a sponge is full of water, the tissue of the sponge looks vibrant, but a dehydrated sponge shows cracks and is tough.
Caffeine– Caffeine is a tricky topic when skin is concerned. When applied topically, caffeine energizes the skin and eliminates under-eye bags. But when ingested, caffeine dehydrates the body severely. Like with the topic above, pores become enlarged and fine lines are more visible.
If you avoid these bad habits, you can postpone premature aging in the skin.
How Much is Preventative Botox?
This is one of the most important, and most confusing questions asked by clients.
How much is botox?
This is a hard question to answer because, well, no two botox clients are alike.
Botox is usually charged per unit, and units are determined by the severity of the planned injection site. Typical doses of botox average between 50 and 100 units per vial. The average horizontal forehead lines use about 10-30 units of botox. Though this number will vary from person to person, this average is just to give you an idea.
How Long Does Botox Last?
Again, this is a difficult question to answer because the effects of botox vary from person to person depending on their metabolism. When someone has a naturally high metabolism, they tend to burn through the botox injections quickly.
Usually, botox will last between 3 and 4 months.
If a person has a slow metabolism, their botox treatment could last up to 6 months. If you are concerned about the price point compared to the time that your botox injection will last, it is best to consult your cosmetic injector.
They can give you the best estimate for your preventative botox journey.
Botox for Migraines
Think botox is only for cosmetic concerns? Think again!
Botox has actually been used to treat many symptoms of the body- mainly migraines and as a way to relieve TMJ (the clicking and locking of the jaw.)
Healthcare professionals recommend injecting botulinum toxin (Botox) into multiple areas around the head and neck to treat chronic migraine symptoms. Botulinum toxin is a protein complex used to aid muscle relaxants and alleviate the head from severe migraine pain.
As you can see, Botox has its many benefits. As soon as you start to notice that your crow’s feet lines and frown lines areas are developing wrinkles, it is the best time to begin your preventative botox regime. Don’t let those lines get deeper! Come and visit Foothills Med Spa for a botox or filler consultation today!