From the Guidelines
For preventative wrinkles in young people, low-dose neurotoxin is generally more effective than microneedling. This approach is supported by the concept of preventing dynamic wrinkles from becoming permanent by relaxing facial muscles with neurotoxin injections. Although the provided study 1 discusses the use of microneedling combined with autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) for treating acne scars, it does not directly address the prevention of wrinkles in young people. However, it implies that microneedling can be effective for skin texture and minor scarring, but it does not target the muscle movements that cause expression lines.
The use of low-dose neurotoxin, such as Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin, in areas prone to dynamic wrinkles (e.g., forehead, between eyebrows, crow's feet) can prevent these lines from becoming permanent. Typical preventative doses range from 10-25 units of Botox (or equivalent) every 3-4 months, which is lower than the doses used for treating established wrinkles. This method works by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles, thereby preventing the skin from creasing repeatedly in the same places.
Key points to consider:
- Low-dose neurotoxin directly addresses the cause of dynamic wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles.
- Microneedling, while beneficial for skin texture and scarring, does not directly prevent wrinkles caused by muscle movements.
- Starting preventative neurotoxin treatments in the mid-20s to early 30s can be beneficial, with potential addition of microneedling for enhanced skin quality benefits, as supported by the concept of combining treatments for optimal outcomes 1.
Given the current evidence and focusing on the prevention of wrinkles in young people, low-dose neurotoxin is the preferred method for directly addressing the cause of dynamic wrinkles, with microneedling potentially offering additional benefits for overall skin health.
From the Research
Comparison of Low Dose Neurotoxin and Microneedling for Preventative Wrinkles
- There are no direct studies comparing low dose neurotoxin and microneedling for preventative wrinkles in young people.
- However, several studies have investigated the efficacy and safety of microneedling for various dermatologic conditions, including skin rejuvenation and wrinkle treatment 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Microneedling has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment option for improving skin texture, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and enhancing collagen production 2, 3, 4, 5.
- A study on magnesium microneedle patches for under-eye wrinkles found significant improvements in wrinkle index and dermal thickness after 12 weeks of application 6.
- While low dose neurotoxin is not mentioned in the provided studies, microneedling appears to be a viable option for preventative wrinkles in young people due to its minimally invasive nature and limited side effects 2, 3, 4, 5.