Botox, hailed for its minimal invasiveness and drastic results, is now incredibly common. Even 20- and 30-year-olds are turning to the injections to treat and prevent lines and wrinkles. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported seeing Botox injections increase nearly 760 percent since the year 2000. And according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, plastic surgeons reported a 64 percent increase in patients under 30 getting injectables or cosmetic surgery in 2015.
We’re often asked when a prospective patient should start Botox – are Botox injections in your 20s too early? What about your 30s or even 40s? Not surprisingly, there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. For each decade, there is a reason to get Botox – either as a preventative measure against wrinkles or to combat wrinkles that may already be forming.
Signs of wrinkles can appear as early as your early twenties and while Botox treatments generally aren’t often performed on people that young, those in their early twenties may still benefit from treatment. In younger patients, plastic surgeons typically administer only small amounts of Botox to avoid a ‘frozen’ face – and usually only two or three treatments a year are recommended.
To decide which approach is right for your age, consider the following:
In your 20s: To prevent wrinkles, some plastic surgeons may recommend using Botox to reduce facial muscle over expression. At this age, Botox can actually help you train your facial muscles not to move as much to prevent future skin wrinkling.
In your 30s: This is when you may start noticing some fine lines developing between your brows and around your eyes. To combat this, Botox will soften – and may even erase – many of the finer lines as long as you continue with this regimen.
In your 40s: This is when your skin may begin to thin, meaning wrinkles may be far more obvious. Lines are more likely to have become etched in your skin even without facial muscle expression. Botox can help but you’ll want to be diligent about keeping up injections approximately every three months.
Ultimately, wrinkles are a part of the natural aging process and it’s a very personal decision as to whether or not you want to address them with Botox or other injectables. There is no right or wrong answer – only what’s best for you and the results you want to achieve. But if Botox is something that you’re considering, schedule a complimentary consultation at Youthful Reflections today!
