Few skincare methods deliver the joyous trifecta that Botox does: minimal downtime, nearly instant gratification, and visible results. By visible, we at The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center in Cincinnati, OH, mean treatment comes remarkably close to eviscerating fine lines and wrinkles altogether. But is any age better than another for getting treatment? The answer is simpler than you might at first think.
What Is the Best Age for Getting Botox?
As you’re about to see, this injectable is right at almost any age (you must be at least 18 to legally receive treatment). It was once common among women over 40 who wanted to erase already formed lines and wrinkles. But an increasing number of men and women are choosing to have therapy in their late 20s and early 30s as a preventative measure. In fact, data confirms that nearly 30% of women who receive treatment are under age 30.
What Is Preventative Treatment?
The idea here is pretty simple; rather than waiting until fine lines morph into deeper wrinkles, people treat them as soon as they appear. This keeps the lines to a minimum depth so your face looks smoother for longer.
To understand preventative treatment, you must understand how this injectable works. It blocks the messages that normally travel between nerves and muscles and prompt the latter to move. Once those targeted muscles remain at rest, the overlying skin also stops moving. You then see a silk-like canvas. Common places for preventative treatment include around the eyes and between the eyebrows (the glabellar area).
Explaining this Growing Movement
It’s much faster and easier to treat superficial lines than deep wrinkles. Choosing therapy when you’re younger reduces the rate at which you age later in life. This alone helps explain the popularity of preventative treatment.
But another reason also deserves to be discussed. Social media plays a major role in most peoples’ lives, meaning selfies, family photos, and pics with friends are everywhere. Men and women alike want to look their best for these photos on display for the world to see. And as tools like video conferencing become more prevalent in the workplace, the desire to look one’s best on camera will only continue to grow.
How Often Is Preventative Treatment Necessary?
Treatment timelines vary from person to person. Some have muscles that are more active than others, depending on the frequency of their facial movements. But generally speaking, recommended treatment frequencies are between three and six months.
Whether you opt for preventative treatment or want to whisk away existing wrinkles, you’ll know when a follow-up treatment is necessary. Movements in treated areas will be restored, and those pesky fine lines will start to show themselves again. A great aspect of Botox, however, is that it’s designed to be repeated at regular intervals. As long as you continue to have treatment, your lines will not grow deeper.
Is Any Age Too Young?
This question continues to gain attention as patients increasingly seek treatment at younger ages. While choosing to start this injectable is all about personal preference, most people in their early to mid-20s don’t have wrinkles. Collagen and elastin at this point are still of stellar quality. This is not to say, however, that wrinkles cannot develop sooner in life, and if they do, we’re here to help.
The natural production of collagen and elastin diminishes by 1% every year starting around age 25. This is typically when other changes to the skin also develop, including uneven texture, redness, and more visible pores. This may come as a surprise, but using specialized techniques and delivery systems with Botox can correct these concerns to deliver the glass-like finish you crave.
How to Know Treatment Is Right for You
If you’re considering treatment for the first time, turn your attention to those areas around your eyes and mouth. The common rule is this: if you see fine lines, it’s time to start therapy. These lines tend to develop earlier on people who smoke, have fair skin, or have spent significant time in the sun.
A consultation can make good skin sense if you’re uncertain as to whether or not injectables will improve your appearance. An experienced member of our staff will study your face and facial expressions. We’ll then craft a treatment plan based on this assessment. We can provide targeted micro-injections on very specific areas of the face to help you look younger and softer.
Is Any Age Too Old?
None of this means that if you don’t start treatment in your 30s, you’ve missed the boat. Just the opposite, Botox is versatile enough to be started at nearly any time. Patients postpone treatment for a variety of reasons. Some don’t see lines or wrinkles until later in life, while others fail to grasp the many benefits this treatment can provide. The point is you should focus not on age but instead tune into your skin’s individual needs.
Starting treatment in your 40s or later can give wider results when paired with complementary therapies like injectable fillers. And results develop quickly – much more so than going under the knife for a facelift. Most patients see improvements on the same day as treatment, but the changes are subtle enough that no one will know you’ve had “work done” unless you tell them. You’ll simply look younger, more relaxed, and more refreshed.
No Upper Age Limit
We’d like to reiterate this treatment does not come with upper age limits. It’s safe to use on all skin tones, and after your appointment, you can immediately go about your day. The only restrictions are as follow:
- No strenuous workouts for about 24 hours
- Don’t rub or massage the area for about four hours
- Stay upright – don’t lie down for several hours
Treatment Provides Long-Lasting Benefits at Any Age
By this point, you should realize treatment can benefit your appearance at any age. As proof, studies confirm this injectable can make skin both more elastic and more resistant to wrinkles. These effects continue as long as Botox remains active, which is generally three to six months.
Studies also show that even deep wrinkles not completely obliterated by treatment become less severe with each injection. This suggests therapy does more than temporarily freeze muscles; it can actually remodel skin to eliminate wrinkles more permanently.
How Our Skin Changes
With age, skin becomes at once less firm and less elastic. It recoils 30% less at age 70 than at age 20. Flaccid skin can add years to the face; it also makes the skin more prone to wrinkling. But treatment can increase elasticity by 30%, an effect that generally peaks two months after receiving the injectable. This effect repeats with each new treatment, meaning it can improve overall skin health as long as you continue with your treatment plan.
Ways to Enjoy Your Results for Longer
A few small but significant lifestyle choices can help prolong your results. For instance, protect your skin from the sun even when it’s cloudy outside. UVA and UVB rays are arguably the most damaging elements when it comes to skin. They cause inflammation at the cellular level and quickly destroy your Botox injections. These rays also cause free radicals that go off in the skin like bombs to harm cells, elastin, and collagen.
It’s equally important to protect your skin from blue light as well. Thanks to plenty of screen time every day, we’re all subject to this element. Your best bet is to select a sunscreen that also contains a blue light filter (this will be listed on the bottle’s label).
Moderate Your Workouts
Many experts suspect intense physical activity can metabolize the injectable more quickly. The connection is owed to metabolism. Anything that increases your body’s metabolic rate can also cause Botox to break down more quickly. We’re not saying you should completely skip the hard-core training sessions, but instead find a balance between those and low-impact forms of training.
Use Collagen-Stimulating Skincare Products
Wrinkles develop in the skin with repetitive muscle contractions and folds. The stronger your skin, the less likely it is to crease. You can improve skin strength by incorporating collagen-boosting ingredients into your skincare regimen. Those to look for include retinol and peptides. Growth factors are equally beneficial as they promote healing and the building of the underlying skin matrix.
Slather on Hydration
Hydration is crucial, but it’s particularly so in maintaining your treatment results. Using emollients and humectants can hydrate skin to keep it looking plump. Hyaluronic acid can likewise minimize inflammation; calm skin allows Botox results to persist for longer.
Reach for Antioxidant Serums
Free radical damage sabotages skin health and degrades injectables. It’s therefore helpful to include an antioxidant serum in your daily skincare routine. Vitamin C is known for its skin-loving properties, and it works double-time to safeguard skin from free radicals – particularly UV rays and pollution.
Manage Stress Levels
Stress can promote acne breakouts and skin damage. It also melts your injectable more quickly. Part of this can be attributed to the frequent scowling people do when they’re stressed. The kindest thing you can do for your mind and body is manage stress levels with valuable tools like meditation and yoga. Both will prolong the life of your treatment, promote positive thoughts, and smooth your face.
Eliminating Myths
Many patients fear their faces will look frozen after treatment, but that’s merely a myth. This injectable gently relaxes without freezing muscles. When administered by a skilled provider, you will still retain the full ability to express all of your emotions.
Other patients believe injections will hurt, but thankfully, the old adage that beauty is pain no longer holds water. This injection is one of the most comfortable of all cosmetic treatments, especially when compared to other aesthetic therapies.
Treatment Only Smooths Forehead Wrinkles
This treatment is for far more than smoothing the forehead. It can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- Erasing crow’s feet
- Providing a liquid brow lift
- Reducing the appearance of droopy eyelids
- Treating neck cords and lines
Injections Are Toxic
While this injectable is derived from botulinum toxin, it is extremely safe. The FDA approved this therapy in 2002, and a 2019 study published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology found it to be both safe and effective.
No Magic Number – Now Is the Time
If you’ve been thinking about eliminating wrinkles but have worried you’re not the “right” age, worry no more. You can start this therapy at nearly anytime to enjoy a more youthful appearance. Schedule your consultation today by contacting The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center in Cincinnati, OH.
