Different types of wrinkles
There are different types of wrinkles on our faces: dynamic wrinkles and static wrinkles.
Dynamic wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles are those lines that appear when we use specific muscles on our faces. For example, when we raise our eyebrows, we get dynamic wrinkles on our foreheads. When we frown and bring our eyebrows together, we get the 11s wrinkles between our eyebrows. However, when we stop using those muscles, and relax our faces, these wrinkles disappear.
Botox targets these wrinkles. Actually, it targets the muscles that create the movements that cause dynamic (movement-based) wrinkles.
Static wrinkles
Not everyone has these. These are the wrinkles that appear on our faces even when we are not using our muscles, so when your face is “at rest”.
These are typically dynamic wrinkles that have been etched into the skin over time, and now appear whether you are using those muscles or not.
So, if you are young, you likely don’t have static wrinkles. This is why some dermatologists promote ‘baby Botox’ – or the use of injecting toxins into your face as early as your 20’s – to prevent these wrinkles from ever appearing.
However, in my opinion this is not always ideal. You may develop a resistance to it if you use Botox so early, and it is a very expensive ‘preventative’ measure that you will have to keep up for decades to come.
Wrinkles show you are alive
The goal is not to be a frozen-faced human being. Use your face! Enjoy being expressive!
Accept your natural beauty, your uniqueness! It is what makes you YOU!
When it comes to our anti-aging strategy, the only thing we want to do reduce and slow down the appearance of etched-in, static wrinkles.
This blog on alternatives to botox might interest you.