While it is never too late to enjoy the benefits of Botox therapy, it is always best to take a proactive approach that will stop wrinkles from forming before they become too pronounced. At Tru-Male Medical in Oak Brook, IL, we recommend starting a treatment plan at the earliest stage possible to ensure patients get the most out of this incredible, FDA-approved anti-aging treatment.
What’s the Best Age To Get Botox?
Botox is a safe and effective anti-aging treatment that can be started at the first signs of aging. Even if you are just starting to notice your first fine lines in the eye area, it is not too soon to begin an injectable treatment plan that will smooth out the skin. Ideally, we like to begin treatment before wrinkles become very deep since this treatment is particularly effective at stopping wrinkle progression. The best time to stop a wrinkle is before it starts!
However, even if you are at an advanced age with significant signs of skin aging, an injectable treatment that blocks nerve signals can still be very helpful. While there are other treatments that are better designed to smooth out deep wrinkles, Botox is highly effective at diminishing any wrinkle that is caused by facial movement. It will also stop new wrinkles from forming, regardless of your age. During a consultation, we can determine exactly how Botox can help.
Can You Be Too Young?
Depending on genetics, lifestyle, and sun exposure, a person can begin to show signs of aging as early as their mid 20s. We have patients who wish to take a proactive approach and begin a treatment plan before they have any wrinkles at all. The great thing about a neuromodulator treatment that reduces activity in certain parts of the face and neck is that it can keep even the earliest fine lines from forming.
Fine lines that are not addressed will eventually develop into deep wrinkles, which can be more challenging to eradicate. Beginning treatment in one’s 20s is a safe and effective way to keep this process from starting. There is also evidence that long-term use, starting early, can permanently reduce unwanted muscle activity in the face. This can mean fewer injections are needed as you age.
Can You Be Too Old?
While neuromodulator therapy is most effective for addressing earlier signs of aging, there is no medical reason for an older adult to not take advantage of this treatment. Whatever the extent of your wrinkles, Botox will soften existing lines and keep new ones from forming. When more advanced skin aging is present, we may recommend combining injectable treatments, such as dermal fillers, for a better outcome.
We sometimes see facelift patients in their 70s and 80s who want to do everything possible to maintain their new, more youthful appearance. Sticking to a regular schedule of injectable treatments can extend the results of surgery indefinitely. Injectables are perfectly safe for individuals over age 65 and are in fact considerably safer than surgery.
What Is the Best Age for Preventative Treatment?
While every person ages differently, most of us will notice at least a few fine lines by age 30. Unfortunately, genetics are not always fair and we do sometimes see patients who have very noticeable wrinkles by this age. In terms of prevention, beginning a treatment plan in one’s mid 20’s can ensure that this process never has a chance to start.
If you are over age 30 and have never tried an injectable treatment, this is a great time to start. Calming the active areas of your face at this age can effectively smooth out newly formed wrinkles and prevent new ones from taking root. If moderate wrinkling has already taken place in a person’s 30s, it is certainly not too late to benefit from Botox, either with or without other injectable treatments. While prevention is key, it’s never too late to care for your skin.
Using Injectables for Advanced Skin Aging
If you have never invested in cosmetic treatments and are now at an age where your skin is showing significant signs of aging, don’t be discouraged. While neuromodulator treatment alone might not be able to completely erase deeper wrinkles, it is still very effective when used in combination with injectable dermal fillers. Both treatments can be used together in one visit, with no downtime required.
What To Expect With Botox
Regardless of your age, an injectable neuromodulator treatment will work the same way. Since most wrinkles are caused by repetitive facial movements such as frowning and squinting, the blocking of nerve signals that cause these involuntary muscle contractions is key to stopping wrinkle formation. In most cases, only a few areas of the face need to be treated to ensure smoother skin while still maintaining natural facial movement.
Once the skin is slightly numbed using a topical cream, injections are painless. There is absolutely no recovery time required and patients can return to work right after their appointment if they choose. Even if several injections are required, an appointment should take no more than 20 minutes. We recommend booking your next appointment before you leave since injectables work best when a regular schedule is adhered to.
How Neuromodulators Work
Many wrinkle treatments specifically target the skin, but neuromodulators are different. Their action takes place beneath the skin’s surface, relaxing the muscles that are most prone to involuntary contraction. Since this type of injectable treats the muscles only, it can be used in combination with other anti-aging treatments, such as dermal fillers, at the same appointment. For more mature patients with advanced signs of aging, this approach is recommended.
What Can This Treatment Be Used For?
While this type of injectable is most commonly used for cosmetic purposes such as the improvement of crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead creases, Botox can also be used to treat muscle-related conditions such as:
- Chronic eye twitching
- Migraines
- Neck spasms
- Overactive bladder
- Excessive sweating
- Hand tremors
- Premature ejaculation
How Long Will Results Last?
Botox typically wears off in 3 to 6 months. At the 3-month mark, you may notice a return of some slight movement to the injected areas, but full movement will not typically be apparent until the 5-to-6-month mark. It is important to pay attention to your face, because muscle contractions may return without a person even noticing!
Ideally, you should get your next injection before full movement has returned since this is the best way to keep wrinkles from re-forming. Some patients find that with long-term use, they do not need to book as many appointments since the treated muscles can soften and become less active over time.
Younger Patients May Metabolize Injections Faster
The irony is that younger patients may actually require more treatments than older ones! There is evidence that younger people metabolize injectables at a faster rate. For example, a 30-year-old may notice a return of muscle movement after 3 months, while a 60-year-old using the exact same number of units may only need to book an appointment every 6 or 7 months.
Regardless of your age, it’s important to pay attention to your facial movements so that we can be proactive about keeping up with your injectable routine. This type of therapy always works best when a regular routine is followed since it is much easier to remove a wrinkle that has not fully returned.
Long-Term Outcomes
People who start using Botox on a regular basis, and at the right age for them, can certainly expect their skin to age at a much slower rate than that of their peers. There are no side effects associated with long-term injectable use, so patients can rest assured that this safe and effective treatment can be continued indefinitely.
What we also tend to see with long-term neuromodulator treatment is that a patient’s muscles will permanently weaken at the injection site. Since muscles can atrophy with long-term misuse, it makes sense that this can also happen to the facial muscles. For this reason, over time a patient may find that they need fewer injections to maintain their results.
Learn More About How This Treatment Can Help You
If you would like to learn more about neuromodulators or other injectables that can significantly improve your appearance, contact us today at Tru-Male Medical in Oak Brook, IL We would be pleased to schedule a consultation with you at your convenience.
