Botox burst onto the cosmetic scene in the early 2000s, revolutionizing the world of anti-aging products, which had previously relied on scrubbing, peeling, and cutting. With its arrival, we could reduce fine lines and wrinkles in aging skin with a simple injection, making this treatment extremely effective and accessible.
Today, almost a generation later, Gen-Xers and their Millennial followers are realizing the potential of Botox to stop deep lines and wrinkles from taking hold in the first place, instead of having to backtrack years later. Here at L.A. Viñas, our Los Angeles client base has broadened from ages 50 and older to a wide range of patients representing almost every adult age group, starting in their late 20s.
If you’re toying with the idea of getting a jump on aging, here’s what you need to know.
Once you come out of puberty and your hormones settle, your skin enters its Golden Age. Gone are the acne breakouts, replaced by toned and elastic skin that glows with youth and vitality. Every squint, smile, and frown comes and goes without a trace, as your skin bounces back time and again. You even tan to a golden color without a thought, as if your skin is invincible.
As you make your way toward 30, however, you may see the first stirrings of the aging process in your skin. Perhaps those laugh lines around your eyes are becoming more prominent, or your forehead doesn’t seem to smooth out the way it once did.
The reason behind this aging is twofold: 1) Your collagen production starts to decrease in your 30s, then drops considerably once you hit your 40s and 50s; and 2) Those long days on the beach without sunscreen are coming back to haunt you.
UV rays from the sun are the main culprit behind premature aging, causing your skin to break down much faster than it would naturally. And, as your collagen and elastin production slows, your skin can’t regenerate as quickly as it did when you were 20.
Now, those frowns, smiles, and squints are starting to leave small traces on your face, and it’s only a matter of time before they become well-worn paths.
Since there’s nothing you can do to go back and protect yourself better when you were hitting the beach as a teen, you’re left to figure out ways to slow down the inevitable aging process.
This is where Botox comes in.
Botox works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles that contract to form deep lines and wrinkles around your eyes, between your brows, and on your forehead. The trick behind getting there a little earlier is that these “deep” lines haven’t been set yet.
Many of our patients come in at the first signs of lines starting to take shape. With a Botox treatment, we sideline the muscles that contract and pull your skin into a wrinkle. In doing this, we also free up your collagen to maintain your healthy skin, since it doesn’t need to repair the lines that are starting to form.
We should note that starting early means you need to keep up with your Botox treatments. For most people, Botox wears off in about four months. So, if you start a regimen now, whether you’re in your 20s or 30s, know that you’ll need to come in and see us two or three times a year to stay ahead of wrinkles and lines.
The good news is that Botox is incredibly quick and easy to administer. Our experienced staff has you in and out in a matter of minutes, making your treatment a great lunch break option.
If you’d like to learn more about starting Botox early, don’t hesitate to give us a call. You can also use the scheduling form on this website to book an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you and helping you get the jump on aging.
