Even after nearly two decades, Botox Cosmetic remains one of the most frequently requested of all cosmetic therapies. If you’ve been thinking about scheduling your own session but are worried about the age factor, don’t be. At Finesse Cosmetic Surgery in Waltham, MA, we treat patients of all ages, and most regret only that they didn’t start the injectable sooner.
What Is the Best Age To Get Botox Cosmetic?
We first need to state that Botox is approved for patients 18 years and older. With that in mind, most people don’t need treatment before their mid-20s. Botox is designed to address pesky fine lines and wrinkles, and the human body is usually able to keep both at bay until the late 20s or early 30s. You might be wondering how, and the answer boils down to just one word: collagen.
This protein is essential to smooth, taut, and firm skin. It’s one of three key ingredients that comprise the extra-cellular matrix (ECM), the scaffolding on which skin sits. Throughout youth and early adulthood, the body produces ample collagen to keep skin looking its best. This explains the high, rounded cheeks and wrinkle-free canvas most of us enjoy – until around age 25, that is.
Collagen Degeneration
At that point, the body begins producing about 1% less of its base collagen levels every year. This means that by the time you’re 35 years old, you’ve likely lost 10% of your original collagen. As this protein wanes, lines and wrinkles start to creep in. And that’s when Botox – with its subtle but remarkable results – can be used to greatest effect.
Preventative Treatment
Now is the time to mention there is no “right age” or “best age” to proceed with Botox. It’s a personal choice not bound by the number of birthdays you’ve had. Whether you’re 25 or 45, you can start treatment at almost anytime. The only difference is that the goal of treatment changes with age.
Catching Wrinkles Early
To illustrate, treatment in your 20s and early 30s is generally geared toward prevention. By this, we mean the prevention of lines and wrinkles transforming from dynamic to static.
The former are visible only when you make a certain facial expression, such as smiling or laughing. The latter are visible even when your face is at rest. Catching wrinkles early enough can keep them from etching more deeply into skin and help your face stay as smooth and youthful as possible.
Treatment To Soften
If you delay treatment until your late 30s or even early 40s, which you can certainly do, the goal is to soften lines rather than erase them altogether. Many people experience static wrinkles in their 40s that are present on the face at all times.
Botox Cosmetic can smooth out these concerns and, when paired with a dermal filler, help lift and contour deeper grooves. As an added benefit, Botox can help stop the formation of additional wrinkles and will continue doing so as long as you receive maintenance treatments.
Maintenance Treatments
Because Botox Cosmetic is intended to be a temporary treatment, patients of all ages require maintenance sessions. These help keep your results in place and, as mentioned earlier, can prevent treated lines and wrinkles from growing deeper. Most patients schedule maintenance sessions once every four to six months.
The frequency at which you need maintenance will depend on your body and how quickly it metabolizes Botox. The good news is that results don’t disappear overnight. Instead, they’ll gradually fade so that treated lines become increasingly more visible. As these lines begin to re-form, you can call our office and schedule your appointment.
The Ways Skin Changes Over Time
It’s no secret that skin visibly changes with age. The reasons for these changes were, at one time, complete mysteries. But today, the aging process and ways to combat it are well understood.
We already mentioned that collagen levels diminish with age. Other substances, including elastin and hyaluronic acid, also wane. If collagen can best be described as giving skin its structure, elastin is the protein that forms connective tissues and gives skin its elasticity. Hyaluronic acid binds to water in the body and helps keep skin plump and hydrated.
The Cellular Component
Cells form the basic building blocks of every body. They are inherently programmed to divide and multiply so they can carry out crucial tasks. These tasks include:
- Facilitating growth through mitosis
- Providing structure and support
- Producing energy
- Creating metabolic reactions
- Aiding in reproduction
The problem is that the more cells divide, the more they age. They in turn function less effectively and become increasingly less healthy. Biological processes then slow and eventually fail. Every organ in the body is comprised of cells, including your skin. As cells begin producing less collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, fine lines and wrinkles start to develop.
Muscle Contractions
Repeated facial movements also contribute to major signs of aging. You use your skin each and every day, whether you’re talking, chewing, or whistling. Younger skin can accommodate these muscle contractions because it’s supported by collagen and elastin. But as these substances decrease, skin loses its tenacity.
The point is that skin indeed changes with each passing year. Botox is a way for tissues to remain smooth even as time continues zipping by. Every person ages a little differently, but nobody is immune to its effects.
The Ways Botox Works
Botox first and foremost relaxes muscles. We administer the injectable directly into those muscles responsible for facial lines and wrinkles. You might see horizontal lines on your forehead, while your friend might have crow’s feet around their eyes. With precision application, we can address your specific needs and place Botox in those areas where you want to see improvements.
Relaxing underlying muscles means the skin that sits over top of them also gets a much-needed break. With time, as you use problematic muscles with less frequency, you can look forward to needing less Botox Cosmetic.
Natural-Looking Results
This treatment affects only the muscles that you want targeted. Keep in mind the human face is comprised of 42 individual muscles. By treating a select few, we’re able to ensure very natural-looking results.
This means you’ll retain continued mobility in all parts of your face with the ability to emote as you’ve always done. The only difference will be fewer lines and wrinkles. In other words, you’ll enjoy smoother skin that looks well-rested and well cared for, like you’ve just returned from a long and relaxing vacation.
Safety and Dependability Come First
Botox has received a number of FDA approvals and is proven to be safe. It’s been used for nearly 20 years, and millions of patients receive injections every year. These facts help testify to its efficacy and reliability.
And that brings us to our next point. Some anti-aging products promise big results but deliver very little. They may provide some degree of hydration but don’t serve as real solutions for lines and wrinkles. Botox, on the other hand, provides results you can count on. It works within the skin, rather than as a topical, to stop the mechanics behind wrinkle formation.
Important Factors To Consider
In deciding when you want to begin Botox treatments, you should first consider the rate at which your skin is changing. This is different for every person, as some lose considerable collagen in their 20s and others don’t notice a visible difference until their early 30s. The rate at which you start to age is largely determined by genetics. This explains why people tend to develop wrinkles in the same places as their parents and/or grandparents.
Other factors can also contribute to the rate at which your skin ages. Sun exposure, smoking, stress, and a lack of sleep can prematurely age patients at any point. If your skin seems to be rapidly changing, you may want to start treatment at an earlier age.
Decide When You Want To See Benefits
Botox works best when you commit to regular maintenance sessions. This means you should start treatment when you feel ready. At the end of the day, Botox is ultimately used to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. If you see a few small lines between your brows or around your eyes and want to start a treatment regimen now, we’re here to help.
Soften and Smooth Wrinkles the Easy Way
Botox is one of the simplest cosmetic treatments on the market, and it’s appropriate for adults of any age. From 20 years old to 50 and beyond, this effective injectable delivers dependable results. And the longer you use it, the longer you can prevent additional wrinkles from forming. Schedule your consultation today by contacting Finesse Cosmetic Surgery in Waltham, MA.
