When Should Neurotoxin Be Started?

Jan 3, 2024

A frequently asked question is, “When is the best time to start neurotoxin?” Should wrinkle relaxer injections, such as Botox, be initiated at a younger age to prevent wrinkles, or should they be administered after wrinkles have already appeared on the face? To determine the optimal time to begin these injections, it is crucial to understand how neurotoxin works.

Neurotoxin is commonly referred to as Botox, but several brand names exist, including Dysport, Daxxify, Xeomin, and Jeuveau. The category may also be called “tox,” “neurotox,” “toxin,” or “wrinkle relaxers”; however, “Botox” was the first brand name for neurotoxin. While Botox Cosmetic is well-known, backed by over twenty years of clinical data, all these brands work similarly to achieve the same result: relaxing wrinkles. Neurotoxin functions by temporarily blocking chemical signals that cause muscles to contract. When muscles can no longer contract, it allows them to relax, potentially erasing the signs of preexisting wrinkles. The greatest benefit of relaxing muscles is preventing the formation of new lines and wrinkles, making neurotoxin more of a preventive measure than a treatment.

Given its effectiveness in preventing fine lines and wrinkles, a suitable time to start injections is when fine lines first appear on the forehead, between the eyebrows, or around the eyes. If injections are administered before these fine lines deepen, there is a high chance that these wrinkles will completely disappear once the neurotoxin takes effect. Starting injections after wrinkles have become deep lines, which persist on the face even at rest, may make it slightly more challenging to eliminate them, resulting in improvement rather than complete removal.

Neurotoxin generally improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles regardless of when they are initiated. However, to achieve maximum results, it is advisable to start as early as possible for wrinkle prevention rather than attempting to erase deeply etched lines in the skin. To determine if you are a suitable candidate for wrinkle relaxation with neurotoxin, it is best to have a consultation with a trained professional. They can guide you through a treatment plan that will yield natural, long-lasting results. To book your neurotoxin consultation with one of our Nurse Practitioner injectors, fill out the form below and a member of our team will contact you!