Botox anti-aging treatment

Hello! I'm 28 and I don't really have deep wrinkles yet, but I can see very fine lines starting around my eyes (crow's feet) when I smile. I've heard about 'preventative botox.' Is that a real thing, or is it just marketing to get young people hooked? I don't want to start too early and have my muscles atrophy or become immune to the product. What's the real deal?

This is a hot topic. 'Preventative' botox works by stopping you from making the repetitive facial expressions that eventually carve deep grooves into your skin. If you squint a lot, that crease will eventually become static (present even when you don't squint). Botox stops the muscle from creasing the skin, so that static line never forms. However, starting at 28 is a personal choice. You don't need much – literally 5-8 units in the crow's feet and maybe 10 in the forehead. You won't become 'immune'; that's a myth unless you're using insanely high doses every 8 weeks. Atrophy is real, but that's the point – a weaker muscle creates a smoother surface. If you stop, the muscle regains strength in 3-6 months.

I started at 29, and I'm 38 now. My friends who didn't start have deep static lines. I have none. But I also wear sunscreen and use retinols. Botox is a tool, not a magic wand. I go every 5 months like clockwork. My favorite thing is that my crow's feet are gone, but I can still smile – it just looks like I'm smiling with my eyes, not my whole cheek. I will say, don't start too heavy. Look for botox anti-aging treatment that focuses on 'micro-dosing' for younger skin. I found a med spa that uses very diluted amounts for the initial sessions. You can see their philosophy here: https://bellasanamedspa.com/service/botox. It's better to start low and add more in two weeks than to freeze your face and hate it.