Botox Turns 15 - The Inside Scoop on The Wonder Drug

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Botox, the world's most popular cosmetic procedure, turns 15 this week. Launched in 2002, the drug has rung up roughly $21.1 billion since it came on the market in 2002, and one of its most rapidly growing markets is millennials!

While many people think of the anti-wrinkle injections are a procedure for treating wrinkles after they have already begun to form, preventative Botox treatments are becoming increasingly more popular with the under-30 crowd.

Top New York City-based Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Jill Caruso suggests starting preventative Botox at as early as 25 years old. Jill believes early treatments may reap more benefits than for those using Botox as a corrective cosmetic procedure later on in life – that's because Botox is primarily used to smooth wrinkles that have already formed on the forehead, between the eyebrows and reducing the appearance of crows' feet.

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Caruso recommends considering preemptive Botox if you are looking to eliminate these issues before they initially arise. By injecting Botox at the first sign of aging, muscles are paralyzed from contraction; preventing deep set wrinkles to form.

She says, "Think of it like a leather shoe. The shoe starts out perfectly smooth, but the more you step, it bends and creases the leather, eventually creating lines that cannot be removed. If you inject Botox to a creaseless or near-creaseless face, the wrinkles will never be able to form."

Botox, Dysport, and Xeominare are equally effective and FDA approved neurotoxins, used to treat fine lines around the eyes and on the forehead, as well as the lower face and neck. When these products are used regularly (every 3 to 4 months), they are able to treat existing lines, and equally important, they can prevent future lines from occurring.

Dermal Fillers (Juvederm, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Radiesse, Belotera, Restylane, Perlane) are great for returning volume to the face. They are mainly used to provide deep dermal hydration and volumization, leading to improved quality and tone of the skin.  Dermal fillers, work great in the tear troughs (for dark circles under the eyes), cheeks and midface, as well as the chin, pre-jowl sulcus, temples, and lips.

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Chemical Peels or Chemexfoliation are great for brightening and tightening and widely used to treat skin affected by the signs of aging and photodamage.

Kybella (Deoxycholic acid) is a manmade form of a substance your body makes that helps to absorb fats. Deoxycholic acid works by destroying fat cells where it is injected into the body decreasing the appearance of fat that hangs below the chin.