Yes, according to Dr. Afshin Mosahebi, professor of plastic surgery at University College London, injecting botulinum toxin (known as Botox) into parts of the face before fine lines appear can slow their development - but that doesn't mean you should definitely try it.
Dr. Mosaheb explains that facial wrinkles appear for two main reasons. The first is the movement of the facial muscles: when they move, the skin over them gathers repeatedly, and just like a piece of cloth that is repeatedly wrapped, it will eventually create wrinkles. The second reason is the thinning of the skin layer, which happens as we age and especially when we are exposed to the sun. The thinner it is, the more sensitive the skin is to the formation of wrinkles.
Botox injections are given to treat the primary cause of wrinkles by paralyzing the facial muscles for about six months. On wrinkled skin, this makes the appearance of wrinkles smoother. In wrinkle-free skin, regular use makes it more difficult for wrinkles to form. However, Dr. Mosahebi emphasizes that Botox is not a magic solution for everything. Thinning of the skin will still lead to the development of lines, just to a lesser extent, and if you stop using Botox, the aging process will continue as normal. Additionally, the longer you use botox, the more you will need to use for the same effect.
"Over time, the body can become more resistant to the toxin, so an amount of botulinum that worked early in treatment may not have the right effect later," says Dr. Mosaheb. Furthermore, he thinks that starting Botox too early "encourages people to become obsessed with their appearance, which we should avoid."
According to him, a person in their 20s would benefit most by taking steps to slow the skin thinning process - such as avoiding the sun and smoking - before considering injections.
"In your 20s, sunscreen is a much better solution than Botox," he concludes.
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