The Aging Paradox: When Cosmetic Procedures Make You Look Older
The pursuit of eternal youth has driven millions to seek out cosmetic procedures in the hopes of turning back the clock. From Botox to fillers, and from fat grafting to fat reduction, the options available are vast, and the promise of a more youthful appearance is tantalizing. However, certain cosmetic procedures may actually have the opposite effect, making some individuals appear older rather than younger.
This cosmetic procedure is aging you: Overuse of Botox
Botox is a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes the facial muscles and is often used to achieve a smoother, more relaxed appearance around the forehead and eyes. I typically recommend that patients start using Botox for the treatment of fine lines when the smile wrinkles (crow’s feet) or the “11 wrinkles” in your forehead (glabellar lines) stick around even when your face is at rest. Some patients may notice those pesky lines around their mid-20s or early 30s. You may slowly notice that the lines no longer seem to respond to a good night’s rest or drinking plenty of water. Botox is a great option to treat, and even prevent the formation of, fine lines and wrinkles.
However, overuse can lead to a stiff, frozen expression. When the facial muscles are too relaxed, the face may lose its natural dynamism and expressiveness that are hallmarks of youth. Another potential pitfall of Botox is that patients who are injected too often or with too much product may look overdone and be unable to show desirable emotions, including empathy. Everyone has seen that video of Kim Kardashian trying to cry with a frozen face.
Improper placement of Botox in the forehead can also cause the brows to droop, making the eyelids look heavy – yet another sign of aging. Asymmetries in facial structure can also be unmasked when the facial muscles are relaxed. And, lastly, because Botox is a muscle relaxer, it can also relax the thin muscles that are found surrounding our blood vessels. In fair-skinned patients, this can lead to areas of “flushing” around injection sites when there is an increase in blood pressure from exercise, for instance.
Botox injections are temporary (typically 3-4 months) and will require routine follow-up injections for continued rejuvenation. For patients with deep wrinkles or significant sagging of facial tissues, Botox may not be the best course of action – keep an eye out for the second installment of this mini-series about dermal fillers!
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