One of the most common questions I hear during my consultations is "Am I too young to get Botox?"
But is it the right question to ask? I don't think so and I have an extensive conversation with my patients about it.
In the last few years the aesthetic goals of people have shifted from correction to prevention. Before the 2000s it was common to wait until you are in you fifties and sixties to get a major facial overall with face lifts, fat grafting, neck lifts and aggressive lasers. And of course plastic surgery is a standard in treating and correcting a lot of cosmetic issues, but patients no longer have to wait until there are etched in lines and sagging skin to shave off 10-15 years from their appearance. Quite the opposite, people can now look younger longer, their skin will have fewer lines, their necks will stay tight and so on if they decide to start cosmetic treatments sooner rather than later.
Now, I have more and more people in their twenties who are starting to get Botox or other neurotoxins as a preventative measure. I myself started getting Botox when I was twenty five, because I started to notice a thin line setting in the middle of my forehead. Now, I am thirty nine and get neurotoxin treatment about three times a year, on my forehead, between my brows, crows feet and nose. I like how smooth my skin looks and the elevation of the brows I get once neurotoxin takes effect. To my older patients who are coming in for their first Botox treatment later in life I make sure I address their concerns, but also keep their expectations realistic.
If a patient has deep etched in lines on forehead or in between brows, most likely those will not be gone completely, but only improved. If you consistently follow up with neurotoxin treatments which will keep the muscles relaxed, the skin will continue to improve more and more. Also for those with prominent lines on forehead, low set brows and heavy lids it might only be possible to treat the area conservatively, which would mean shorter duration of the neurotoxin effect and only mild correction of forehead wrinkles.
When you see me at High Point Medpsa, I will give you a mirror so you can show me exactly what areas are bothering you and then I will spend my time explaining what I can or cannot do and if Botox or any other neurotoxin is the right for you and if it is time to start getting it done.