Botox to prevent future wrinkles?

Question

does it? does it promote production of elastin/collagen or does it ONLY treat wrinkles that are already there? mid 20s asian, i have one fine line under my eyes and nasoliabal folds that are visible under certain lights. I do like a firmer appearance. i dont have lines on forehead but i do like the "shiny look" that one sometimes get from botox. not the scary frozen look but i like some smoothness. should i wait till i actually get visible lines? or is filler better if i want elastin?

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

Botox is only designed to treat the muscles which cause wrinkling.  Whether or not Botox makes sense for you can only depend upon an in-person examination with a board certified physician examining how your muscles move and affect your skin.  Any claims that the relatively low number of needlestick traumas to the skin might improve collagen, elastin, and other aspects of your dermis are conjecture at this point.  I think if you're looking to improve the quality of your skin itself, you should look into other modalities, such as lasers, IPL, skin topical regimens, and micro-needling.  Again, all this depends upon a in-person examination.Best of luck!Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Mark E. Freeman, MD · Answer

This has become a common question. I usually use
BOTOX (and a similar treatment called Dysport) to reduce existing wrinkles
caused by the repeated movements of small muscles as we change expressions
throughout the day. Preventive treatments, however, are becoming more popular —
especially for patients in their mid- to late-20s — who want to delay the onset
of wrinkles. These treatments work by temporarily immobilizing muscles, so the
dynamic wrinkles that develop from repeated muscle movement won't form as
quickly. They do not encourage the growth of collagen or elastin. When treated
by an experienced, trained injector, you can get excellent, customized results
from BOTOX for both prevention and treatment. I normally recommend using
fillers to treat nasolabial folds and other lines that aren't caused by
repeated muscle movements. Hope this helps!

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You can use Botox to prevent fine lines from forming. Speak with an expert injector about small amounts of Botox.All the best,

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photos and concerns with us. Botox and fillers can be used to help with your concerns. Botox can be used to help soften dynamic wrinkles.  Fillers can be used to help regions like the nasolabial fold. I would recommend that you visit with the board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to develop an appropriate treatment plan for you.

Kyle Coleman, MD · Answer

Early treatment with Botox or other neuromodulators can prevent the development of wrinkles.  Movement wrinkles of the face occur as a result of repetitive damage to the collagen and elastin fibers through muscle contraction.  Prevention of creasing in the skin can stave off this process.   Pairing this with a good topical regimen can lead to great results over time.

Normand Miller, MD · Answer

Many of our wrinkles
are caused by the contraction of our muscles (for example forehead lines, smile
lines or crows feet, frowning lines, lines around the lips). There is no doubt
that by keeping those muscles relaxed with Botox will cut down significantly on
the formation of those wrinkles. Once these wrinkles start forming, the use of
Botox on a consistent basis (every 3 months) will allow a slow elimination of
those wrinkles.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

Preventative skin care is great. Injecting Botox where wrinkles don't exist is not great. Not everyone gets wrinkles in the same place. Ask enough people and someone will surely take your money.  Instead, opt for good skin care to maintain a good complexion and a healthy glow.

Anna I. Wooten, MD, FACS · Answer

Neither filler nor Botox will actually help to promote the elastin production in your skin. However, if wrinkling is what concerns you, it seems like Botox would be an excellent treatment for you. Preventative Botox would relax your existing fine lines and actually help to stop them from continuing to develop. Visit a board-certified plastic surgeon for a personalized consultation regarding your best injectable regimen.

Manjula Jegasothy, MD · Answer

In young people with tight skin in the under eye area, it is ok to use small doses of Botox Cosmetic® or Xeomin® to relax under eye lines. However, in most adults there is some skin laxity or looseness in the under eye area. If Botox Cosmetic® or Xeomin® is injected there into loose skin, it will cause it to droop even further, creating a "bag-like" appearance under the eyes So in these patients I advocate using a light resurfacing laser like the erbium Fraxel® to erase under eye lines AND tighten mildly lax skin.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Botox is a fabulous way to prevent future wrinkles.  I highly suggest that you do Botox not only to treat existing wrinkles but prevent other wrinkles form developing or getting deeper.  Best, Dr. Green

Botox to prevent future wrinkles?

Answers (18)