When Should You Start Botox?

What age should you start Botox?

Botox is a non-invasive prescription cosmetic injection that is used to treat dynamic fine lines and wrinkles. The results are dramatic and typically last three to four months. But, when’s the right time to start using Botox? It really depends on what your skincare goals are.

Yes, preventative Botox is a thing

If you’re in your mid-20s to mid-30s, then you might want to consider getting preventative Botox. Most dermatologists agree that you should start undergoing regular Botox treatments when lines resulting from facial expressions begin to show at rest. In some people, this may be in the mid-twenties, while in others it’s after age 30.

As a general rule of thumb, the earlier you start Botox, the better since it is best used as a preventative measure to avoid getting fine lines and wrinkles. Botox works by relaxing the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, such as smile or laugh lines. Once the muscles are relaxed, so is the overlying skin, so you don’t get wrinkles.

What about regular Botox?

Chronological age isn’t as relevant when deciding on Botox. It’s more important to look at the dynamic wrinkles themselves. Skin color and lifestyle have a lot to do with it, too. However, if someone has a lot of sun damage or their lifestyle is harder on the skin, then they may need to start Botox earlier. Where Caucasians may find signs of aging more heavily setting in from 35 to 40, darker skin tones may not find the same happening until 45.

Bottom line: there’s no actual “right time” to start Botox

The right time to start Botox all depends on individual factors, including sun exposure, lifestyle, genetics, and skin tone. It’s also dependent on your personal goals, whether that’s to prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place or to treat existing frown and smile lines. One thing to keep in mind is that it is more challenging to treat wrinkles with Botox as they get more and more etched into the face.

Want to find out more about preventative or regular Botox? LaserAway is the nation’s leader in aesthetic dermatology with over 1.5 million treatments performed. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today at LaserAway.com.

References

1. “Serious Question: How Soon is Too Soon to Get Botox?,” Byrdie, December 19, 2018.
2. “This is the Age You Should Start Preventative Botox, According to Dermatologists,” Allure, April 20, 2017.