BOTOX

What is the Best Age to Start Botox?

It’s hard to believe that camera phones have been in existence for more than 20 years. This means that Gen Z is a generation of women who have never lived in a world without “selfies”. Now, thanks to social media posts, Face Time, Zoom and more, every tiny line, imperfection or sign of aging is now under intense scrutiny.

So, it should come as no surprise that the world’s most popular and widely administered cosmetic treatment is Botox! In addition to getting rid of forehead lines and crow’s feet, Botox is popular for the smile enhancing ‘lip flip’.  And, in recent years, research has revealed that in addition to reducing existing wrinkles, Botox also helps prevent new lines from forming!

As a result, many of our patients often ask the aesthetic providers at Tutera Medical, “What is the best age to start getting Botox?” In this article we take a look some of the factors that can help answer the question of when Botox may be right for you.

“Corrective” Botox: 40s and Up

When it comes to any medical treatment, every individual patient is unique. And Botox is no exception. Lifestyle factors – UV sun exposure, tanning, smoking, diet, exercise – all have an effect on skin condition and the development of wrinkles. But, as we get older, heredity is the most influential factor when it comes to the age at which wrinkles and lines develop.

Oily skin – which causes so many problems high school – is actually a blessing as one gets older. Skin oil is one of the best natural defenses against aging skin. So, people with genetically oily skin often don’t need Botox until much later in life than people with dry skin!

Similarly, darker skin offers greater protection than light skin from UV “photo-aging” caused by the sun rays. Dark skin has cells called melanosomes, that contain the sticky pigment known as melanin – while pale skin produces almost no melanin. Black skin produces the thickest melanin – called eumelanin – that absorbs and scatters sunlight, offering more protection from the UV rays that cause “photo-aging”.

So, the age at which a person begins to develop wrinkles and lines is governed by hereditary factors including their degree of oiliness and amount of pigmentation. Therefore, there is no set age that is ideal for “corrective” Botox.

“Preventive” Botox: 30s and Up

Unlike “corrective Botox” which treats existent lines or wrinkles, “preventative Botox” can target the muscle movements that will cause lines to develop in the future.

“Type 1” wrinkles are the normal expression lines that even young children get. Type 1 wrinkles appear when a muscle is contracted, but immediately disappear as soon the muscle is relaxed. As long as the skin retains its elasticity – usually into one’s thirties – there will only be Type 1 wrinkles, so it is not necessary to consider preventive Botox.

“Type 2” wrinkles, however, are when the lines take a bit longer to disappear – but eventually still go away when the face is at rest. While “Type 3” wrinkles are the lines that remain visible, even when one’s face is at rest.

As soon as a patient starts to see their wrinkles transitioning from Type 1 to Type 2, it is typically a good time to start preventive Botox. Preventive Botox at this stage can stop wrinkles from becoming Type 3. This usually (but not always) occurs later in one’s thirties as the skin’s elasticity starts to decline, and gravity’s effects start to pull the facial tissues downward.

“Preferential” Botox: 18+

Preferential Botox refers to injections used for cosmetic enhancement, rather than to reduce or prevent wrinkles. Examples of Preferential Botox include a Botox “lip flip” to treat a gummy smile, or superficial Botox injections to reduce pores and create “glass skin”. Botox masseter treatments to slim the face are also types of preferential Botox.

Since preferential Botox treatments are not used to correct wrinkles, they may be started as early as age 18 for cosmetic purposes.

Botox | Scottsdale, AZ

Remember, every patient’s unique skin is different, so there is not one-size-fits-all age that is best starting Botox! While corrective Botox usually begins in ones early to mid 40s, and preventive Botox may start in one’s thirties, preferential Botox can be used at any age over 18.

The experienced aesthetic providers at Tutera Medical have helped hundreds of women and men in the Scottsdale, AZ area eliminate and prevent wrinkles with Botox. We will thoroughly evaluate your skin and give you an honest and informed opinion as to when Botox injections would be right for you.

Botox Injections | Scottsdale, AZ: 480-874-1515