Wrinkles are a tell-tale sign of aging, and something that we all must face (no pun intended). As we age our skin loses moisture and elasticity, making it prone to developing fine lines and wrinkles. We also lose our ability to produce collagen and elastin, causing the skin to become less firm and lose its flexibility. While developing wrinkles is an unavoidable part of the aging process, it can be slowed down or prevented to some degree. However, to fully understand how to protect and preserve our skin, we first must learn about the two primary culprits of skin aging- extrinsic aging and intrinsic aging.
Most wrinkling is due to extrinsic aging, which is caused by environmental factors and lifestyle choices such as smoking, sun exposure, alcohol abuse, air pollution, poor diet, and lack of sleep. Prolonged sun exposure is by far the leading cause of early wrinkling. UV light breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers that form our skin’s connective tissues. As a result, the skin becomes weaker and less elastic, causing photo damage and wrinkles to appear. Good news is, there are ways you can protect your skin from the sun, including daily use of sunscreen (SPF 30+) and wearing protective clothing. Maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and not smoking are other important ways to combat extrinsic aging.
Intrinsic aging, on the other hand, is the natural process our skin goes through as we get older. These age-related changes are inevitable, but vary from person to person based on the person’s genetics and the body’s many internal processes. A sign of intrinsic aging, for example, is thinner and more fragile skin that occurs naturally over time2. Genetics also determine our ability to generate collagen and elastin, which give us elasticity and resistance to wrinkles. Genetic variants in the MMP1 and STXBP5L genes specifically have been associated with increased risk of developing wrinkles3,4. While we can’t change our genes, we do have the ability to develop good habits and a lifestyle that reduces our risk and increases our skin health.
Botox injections for the forehead
Botox Cosmetic is an injectable cosmetic treatment used to relax and smooth the appearance of wrinkles on the face. It paralyzes the muscles in your face temporarily through its active ingredient, botulinum toxin type A. Botox can be injected into the forehead between your eyes.
Botox injections for the forehead are treatments to smooth horizontal lines and vertical wrinkles between the eyes. The injections work to relax the muscles that cause these wrinkles to form.
Some people may choose to receive Botox injections in their foreheads to minimize the appearance of vertical frown lines and horizontal forehead wrinkles.
Even though the use of Botox in the forehead has been recently approved by the FDA, highly qualified practitioners are still cautious. That’s because while Botox can be effective at smoothing wrinkles, it can cause too much muscle relaxation, resulting in drooping or even uneven eyebrows.
The injection dosage must be carefully monitored.
How much Botox is permissible on the forehead?
Botox comes in dosages between 50 and 200 units per syringe. Some practitioners say they inject an average of 8 to 20 units into the forehead. Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox Cosmetic, suggests a dosage of 4 units each in five sites on the forehead, totaling 20 units.
Your practitioner may start out with a low-unit dosage in each injection at first. They will give you a few weeks, usually two to four, to see how that dose works for you. You may then receive a few additional units. From there, your practitioner will have an idea of how many units you need at later visits.
Generally, Botox injections are spaced approximately four months apart. When you first begin receiving injections, treatment results may not last as long. You may find that you need to return to your practitioner two to three months after the first treatment.