How Many Units of Botox Do You Need For Preventative Methods?

Botox is a neuromodulator that eliminates wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles near the injection site by inhibiting nerve to muscle communication. When you grin or frown, the lines on your face begin to stick around. The theory behind preventative Botox is that if little amounts of the neuromodulator are injected into facial muscles, causing them to move less, you won’t get frown lines or laugh lines in the first place.

But how much Botox would you need to use when preventing wrinkles from forming? Most plastic surgeons would recommend about 10 units around the forehead for the prevention of wrinkles when it would typically require around 25 to 50 units for a full restorative treatment. 

How Many Units You’ll Need to Prevent Wrinkles or Sagging

The amount of Botox utilized to treat the problem regions, measured in units, is one of the primary distinctions between preventative Botox and a conventional Botox treatment. The number of units required for every Botox treatment varies based on the severity of the wrinkles and the patient’s skin type. Botox can be used to prevent wrinkles on the forehead with at least 10 units, as any less than that may result in no noticeable benefits.

Botox is sold by the unit, so if you’re having “baby Botox,” expect to pay between $5 and $15 for 5 to 20 units. This may easily mount up, especially because this “unit” measurement is more for your Botox specialist to figure out how much to charge you rather than for you to know what outcomes to expect.

For example, your doctor may recommend 16 units of Botox for the whole top part of your face when all you want is Botox for one location, which may only require 12 units. Study your face first and get second opinions on which muscles to get Botox injected on and what cosmetic procedures to get for your objective. 

Does Preventative Botox Really Work?

Preventative Botox, often known as “baby Botox,” softens the activity of facial muscles to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles before they become permanent. While Botox was approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat existing wrinkles, experts say that preventative injections are a more recent trend, spurred in part by social media influencers and marketing aimed at younger people.

Your face muscles tighten when you frown, grin, or furrow your brow, causing the skin to crease over. It only makes logical sense that smoothing that movement before the lines appear can do a lot to make you look better at any age. However, given the increasing number of patients getting preventative Botox, as well as the science behind it, it’s become a popular choice for those looking to stay young for longer. 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, injecting tiny quantities of botulinum toxin into certain muscles temporarily weakens and relaxes them, decreasing the possibility of wrinkles forming. When compared to treating existing wrinkles, preventative Botox often takes less product and fewer sessions. 

The effects normally last 3 to 4 months, but if you start in your 20s or 30s, you may be able to stretch out treatments to once or twice a year. However, if Botox isn’t administered properly, it can cause bruising, facial asymmetry, and drooping, according to doctors. 

Potential Risks With Preventative Botox

The huge issue with Botox is if it goes into an unwanted muscle. It’s sometimes used around the lips for radial lines and it gets caught in a muscle, causing the corner of the mouth to droop. This could be related to injections that have been hyper-diluted to lengthen supply.

There doesn’t appear to be much data on the beneficial or negative long-term consequences of preventative Botox. Long-term use of Botox in standard and preventative doses may cause muscles to weaken and skin to seem thinner and looser. 

According to specialists, the cost of each therapy might range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000. The cost is determined by the number of places of the face to be treated and the amount of product required. Preventative injections, like typical injections, would require ongoing care, which could add to the cost of preventative care. 

When Should You Start Using Botox as a Preventative Measure?

We don’t have to be a certain age to undergo Botox for prevention. Even when your face is entirely relaxed, you’ll detect subtle expression lines during your mid or late-twenties, which is a suitable time to start tiny doses of Botox. 

Since expression lines are typically genetic, people who are susceptible to developing them in certain locations may choose to begin therapy sooner. Smoking, stress, and living at a high altitude can all contribute to the development of expression lines.

Although neuromodulator injections are still more expensive than topically applied treatments, some patients see preventative Botox as an investment that will save them money and time in the long run when it comes to more radical anti-aging operations.

Within a few days, you should see benefits from your preventative Botox treatment, which should last for 4 to 5 months. It isn’t recommended to get a second treatment before three months if you want to create a natural look. 

Should You Be Getting Preventative Botox?

Botox is a brand name for a medicine manufactured by Allergan, and it is not a generic drug. However, there are a few other FDA-approved Botox-like medications on the market such as Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau.

On average, they’re less expensive than Botox and can be up to 30% less expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, a med spa or doctor’s office that provides one of these options could be worth checking into.

Depending on your goals, Botox might not be the right procedure either. If you want more volume on your face, dermal fillers might be a better treatment option.  

Get Preventative Botox at aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness 

Botox should be used only under the guidance of a medical practitioner and in order to avoid negative effects, injections must be positioned properly. At aNu Aesthetics, preventative Botox and other treatments are performed accurately. We take pride in our successful treatments of fine lines, glabellar lines, bunny lines, forehead lines, and other forms of wrinkles.

Our highly-skilled and fully-qualified practitioners are more than happy to explain the procedures in detail and make the best treatment plans for your aesthetic goals. 

You’re just a step closer to a younger, more refreshed look. Call us now at (816) 670-4406.