If you’re concerned about fine lines and wrinkles or want to correct an area on your face that you don’t find appealing, you may wonder about the best age to start Botox. Botox and facial fillers can fill in those lines and add fullness to specific areas of your face that may have changed due to aging. However, the answer to “What age do you start getting Botox?” can be complicated.
If you’re interested in botox or filler treatment in Houston, TX, Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Triple-Board Certified plastic surgeon Dr. Leo Lapuerta.
What Age Should You Start Botox?
When trying to calculate the best age to start Botox and fillers for your face, you should understand what these products are designed for. Botox has been approved by the FDA to treat frown lines, crow’s feet, and other lines and wrinkles on the face. It is used for skin rejuvenation without the need for surgery. Botox relaxes the muscles around the site of the injection to help the skin look and feel smoother.
Other facial fillers may work on various areas of the face. For instance, RADIESSE® is a facial filler often used to reduce smile lines or folds around your nose. Juvederm® smooths wrinkles all around the face, depending on which product you choose. Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a certified plastic surgeon who offers Botox treatments and other facial fillers for patients who want to look younger without the commitment of surgery. With over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery, Dr. Lapuerta has performed thousands of procedures from lip fillers to breast revision. He will help you determine if you are at the right age to begin Botox treatments.
When Do You Need Botox?
You will need to consider Botox as soon as you begin to notice fine lines and wrinkles, or you become self-conscious about them. Botox has been approved for anyone who is 18 years of age or older, but that doesn’t mean it’s best for people in that age group. Most people in their 20s don’t have fine lines or wrinkles and don’t require any type of facial filler.
Wrinkles brought on by too much sun exposure or from other unhealthy habits won’t necessarily go away with a Botox treatment if they are severe. This procedure is designed for fine lines caused by genetics or the early stages of wrinkles from lifestyle factors. It won’t remove all wrinkles, especially deeper ones that appear over time. The best age to start Botox is when you first notice lines before they become severe wrinkles.
Botox as a Preventative Treatment
Botox can be used as a preventative treatment. This means you receive injections that target sites where the barest fine lines are noticeable. It helps to train the muscles in this area to be relaxed and not fall into a frown or furrowed brow.
Preventative treatment with Botox begins when you see fine lines or barely have visible wrinkles. It should delay their appearance and reduce the number of wrinkles when you get older.
Botox in the 20s
Your 20s are spent enjoying life and the way you look and feel. Your skin is supple and glowing, especially if you take care of it. You may notice slight lines around your eyes or mouth when you smile or make other facial expressions. These lines go away when your facial muscles relax, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about caring for your skin.
If the lines don’t disappear, you may want to consider Botox as a preventative treatment. Now is the time to talk to Dr. Lapuerta if you have noticed fine lines from smoking or sun exposure. Your 20s may be the best age to start Botox and fillers if you don’t want those lines to become permanent.
People start to consider facial fillers during their 20s to ward off any early signs of aging. However, they are primarily used to add volume to certain areas, such as the lips. It is during this decade that collagen production starts to drop off, which is responsible for the firmness of your skin.
Botox in the 30s
The 30s is the time that you start to notice wrinkles on your face. It can become more noticeable by the time you reach your late 30s. If you go out in the sun without sunscreen or have a lot of stress in your life, the lines and wrinkles may be even more prominent. The solution can be to start Botox and facial fillers during this decade of your life.
The skin around your eyes is thinner than elsewhere on your face, so you should expect to see lines there first. Crow’s feet become more noticeable and can make your eyes appear tired. Botox can soften the lines around your eyes and prevent the muscles from creating wrinkles when you smile or laugh.
Your skin begins to lose more volume and have less elasticity. Fillers can increase that volume again while filling in fine lines. These products can also help increase the production of collagen to slow the signs of aging. While you probably won’t require the use of dermal fillers, they can be used as prevention at this stage.
Botox in the 40s
By the time you reach your 40s, your wrinkles will become more pronounced. They may be deeper and more noticeable. The lines and wrinkles stay in place even without facial movements. The cells don’t regenerate as quickly, and collagen production will have slowed quite a bit.
If you have been using skin creams to protect your face or hide the appearance of wrinkles, you may find they aren’t as effective anymore. This may be the best age to start Botox treatment to help prevent the development of more wrinkles or stop current wrinkles from worsening.
Botox will help relax the muscles to prevent new wrinkles, but facial filers will have the job of restoring volume to the face. When used together, they can slow the aging process and delay the appearance of new wrinkles. The patient will look younger and more refreshed.
Risks of Getting Botox Early
The best age to get Botox or facial fillers depends on your goals. If you’re looking for preventative care, it may be ideal to start in your 20s. If you want to take care of and minimize the wrinkles as they appear, you’ll most certainly want to start in your 30s. If you have tried other options and need something more advanced, you’ll need Botox by the time you’re in your 40s.
Botox is considered a safe treatment with fewer side effects than surgery. However, it doesn’t come without a few risks if you decide to start early with preventative treatment. One of the benefits of using Botox longer is that your muscles will adapt to the treatment, allowing it to last longer between visits.
The downside is that it can atrophy the muscles, which could make you look older instead of younger. If Botox stops working, you may want to consider a facelift or other treatments to help you maintain your youthful look. The important thing to remember is that it is best to schedule your Botox and facial filler treatments with a certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Lapuerta has worked with hundreds of patients who want to look younger and to reduce their lines and wrinkles. He can help you know what to expect for results as he determines which procedure is best for your goals.
Schedule an Appointment for Botox Treatment
If you aren’t sure if Botox is right for you or you want to learn more about facial fillers and what age should you start Botox, schedule an appointment with Dr. Lapuerta. Contact us today to have your questions answered or to schedule your first treatment. We want to help you feel good about the way your look with the latest procedures at our state-of-the-art facility. Schedule your appointment today.
