In the early days of BOTOX®, the injectable earned a reputation of causing a “frozen” and unnatural look that could be spotted from a mile away. Fast-forward to today’s BOTOX injections, and you’ll find that modern BOTOX results are anything but frozen.
The latest trend in BOTOX emphasizes an ultra-natural result — so natural-looking, in fact, that you might not notice any BOTOX at all. “Barely-there” BOTOX, also called “baby” BOTOX or “preventative” BOTOX, focuses on wrinkle prevention rather than erasing wrinkles that have already formed.
See how baby BOTOX works and read the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about preventative BOTOX below to help you decide if this pre-juvenation trend could be right for you.
What Is “Baby BOTOX”?
As its nickname suggests, baby BOTOX uses a small amount of BOTOX to prevent deep wrinkles from forming in the treated area(s). The idea behind baby BOTOX is that you can begin getting smaller amounts of BOTOX earlier in life to avoid having to get larger amounts injected into the same areas once smaller lines have deepened into more pronounced wrinkles and creases. This is why baby BOTOX is also referred to as preventative BOTOX, as it has been shown to prevent deeper wrinkles later in life in a famous twin study.
Preventative BOTOX vs. Regular BOTOX: What’s the Difference?
Preventative BOTOX uses around 30% less BOTOX than traditional injections. While the goal of regular BOTOX injections is to temporarily smooth away the appearance of lines and wrinkles, the aim of preventative BOTOX is to prevent fine lines from turning into full-blown wrinkles down the road. Thus, “barely-there” BOTOX produces very natural and, well, barely noticeable results.
Regular BOTOX can also yield natural-looking results when administered by a trained, experienced professional. However, you may see the best long-term results if you start BOTOX early.
What’s the Best Age for Preventative BOTOX?
Many people in their mid-20s and 30s can benefit from preventative BOTOX, as deep wrinkles typically have not formed yet in this stage of life. However, baby BOTOX isn’t for everyone. Younger people who do not show any signs of lines or skin aging may not be good candidates for BOTOX yet.
On the other end of the spectrum, men and women in their 40s, 50s and beyond may require larger amounts of BOTOX to achieve the desired result. Work with an experienced, qualified BOTOX provider to help you decide if baby BOTOX could be right for you.
Can You Stop Getting BOTOX Once You Start?
Yes! You can stop getting BOTOX at any time without risking premature aging or other cosmetic concerns. It is a myth that you cannot stop getting BOTOX once you start. So there is no harm in starting preventative BOTOX early, with the idea that you won’t need as many anti-aging products or treatments to keep lines and wrinkles at bay down the road.
Waleed Ezzat, M.D., F.A.C.S. is double board-certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology/head and neck surgery. He operates under the philosophy that natural beauty is the best kind of beauty. Dr. Ezzat addresses each aesthetic or reconstructive challenge by considering the whole facial anatomy rather than focusing on one isolated area. This comprehensive approach maintains a goal of fully functional and natural-looking results that fit perfectly within each individual’s unique genetic makeup.
