But first, if you’re interested in how preventative botox works, read my initial post detailing this topic here.
Also, before I get into this topic, I want to note that I’m aware some people claim botox isn’t actually “preventative” in terms of aging. Some people will tell you it is, some will tell you it isn’t.
Botox doesn’t stimulate production of collagen in your face ( like filler does ), it simply paralyzes the muscle its targeting to restrict movement in that area. The result is a tight, firm-looking, & lifted appearance.
I guess the idea is, the less you’re able to move & be expressive, the less likely you are to begin developing fine lines that will slowly turn into wrinkles as you age. That makes sense to me, but I’m no doctor. I’d consult a dermatologist or esthetician you trust for their opinion on this.
That being said, I’ve been getting what some would refer to as “baby botox” since I was 20 years old ( detailed more here ). I’ve increased the number of units I get & where I get them placed since then ( I’m no 25 years old ), so I wanted to do an updated post on the topic.
Here in LA, I go to Skintight Aesthetics in Santa Monica for my botox needs. I was originally introduced to their work via my Mother, who apparently spends lots of time researching various aesthetic treatments on Instagram. ( btw– after she DMed me their profile, she made me text all my friends who get their lips done to tell them to go to Skintight. I haven’t given that a try at this point, but their before & after’s on Instagram look pretty great. )
ANYWHO– let’s talk details.
( please excuse that this photo is kind of creepy. I just needed some sort of visual aid OK )
The last time I went in to get a re-up on botox, I got 20 units in total. Each injection shown above contains 2 units.
I’ve gotten the injections in my forehead since I started getting botox. It’s enough to restrict dramatic movement ( though honestly, I’m naturally not that expressive ) while still allowing for SOME movement. I don’t want to look completely frozen.
What was new to me this go-around were the injections around my eye area. She injected at the brow bone, to lift the brows a bit, on the sides of the eyes, to prevent crow’s feet, & under the eye area to prevent more fine lines from forming.
I was a little nervous about the injections around the eyes, but I trust the girls at Skintight Aesthetics. They know what’s up.
I usually go in to get botox every 5-6 months, though some people recommend going in every 3-4 months. Life just seems to get in the way for me most of the time, so I make it in when I can. No stress.
Any magical botox hacks y’all wanna share with me? It’s crazy what you can do with treatments like this to subtly enhance your skin/facial features!
Hope this was helpful, beebs! Talk soon. xx