When Should I Start Using Botox?
“When Should I Start Botox?”
This is a commonly asked question, that is completely patient dependent in regards to a specific age. In other words, due to factors such as genetics and sun exposure, a person in their 20’s may have similar expression lines to a person in their late 30’s. Either way, Botox and other neuromodulators, such as Dysport and Xeomin, should be viewed as two-fold. There is the “need” to erase the pesky little lines we see when we look in the mirror, but equally important, is the “need” to prevent them from becoming worse.
So, if you’re 20 and you see that grandma has a nice crease between her brows, you can bet your resting bitch face that you will have them too, possibly even worse if you were a sun worshiper as well. But fear not, if you do start Botox in your 20’s you can prevent that evil scowl from becoming permanent. Prevention is key. Let me say that again, prevention is KEY! Start Botox as early as 20 if when you smile or make facial expressions the lines don’t go away. It may only take a little “Baby Botox” to get you started. Not only will the fine lines disappear before your eyes, they wont progress to deeper lines down the road, and your 50 year old self will recall just how wise you were, even at 20!
But hey, if your already 30, 40, or hell even 50, it’s not too late! Even deeper expression lines can be eliminated with Botox. Botox works to interrupt the signal at the neuromuscular junction and the muscle itself, temporarily preventing the muscle from moving and creating lines. When the muscle is allowed to move repetitively, un-Botoxed, it begins to create deeper and deeper lines. Thus, it is important to control the movement and erase the lines. When we allow lines to progress to the point that they are seen even when we, say, aren’t raising our eyebrows….they are little harder to treat. The lines that are seen when resting are known as static lines. The deeper they are, the more challenging it is to erase them; however, Botox can soften them so they become less pronounced.
Regardless of the age or depth of lines, it’s never too late to start preventing them from worsening. Whether it’s “baby botox” or the “big guns” lines can be improved, erased, and aging can be reversed. When a patient comes into my office I have them make specific facial expressions such as a big smile to evaluate the lines around the eyes, aka crows feet, raise their brows, and then furrow the area between the brows to assess the amount of strength in the muscles and the severity of the lines. From there we discuss the “look” they want. Not all Botox treatments result in a “frozen” or “excited” look. A lot of patients request a more soft and subtle look with slight movement. The only way to really work it all out is to take the plunge and have a consultation! I do recommend being aware of the providers skill level. Make sure they ask you to make those expressions to assess your individual needs, and beware of providers that treat all areas for one price. All patients do not fit into a box and should not all be dosed the same.
Happy Botoxing!
♔Queen Cosmetic Injector