Many people spend a lot of time trying to decide whether or not it’s the right time to try a cosmetic treatment when the fact of the matter is that most cosmetic treatments don’t have a perfect age. If you’re thinking about a cosmetic treatment like Botox, then the time for your treatment is now. At Dermatology Center of Acadiana in Lafayette, LA, we know that treating visible signs of aging is easy when you have a treatment like Botox in your corner.
Botox is the leading injectable treatment in the world. As a neurotoxin or neuromodulator, this injectable is known for relaxing muscles in the face that contribute to the formation of wrinkles. While predominately used on the forehead to smooth frown lines between the brows, this injectable is also used on other areas of the face to address visible signs of aging.
How Old Should You Be to Get Botox?
Although this injectable treatment was popularly used for people in their 40s and 50s when it was first released for cosmetic use, these days more and more young people are using this treatment as a way to correct wrinkles that exist and stop new wrinkles from forming. This neurotoxin is commonly used by people in their 30s and sometimes by people as young as 25 to prevent wrinkle formation.
More than 4.4 million injections of this neuromodulator are used each year. Some of the demand for this product actually comes from younger patients who want to prevent future aging by getting ahead of wrinkle formation before it can even start. Using this treatment earlier generally means you will be able to look younger for longer.
A Game Changer
Using this injectable as a way to prevent visible signs of aging is a huge game-changer for people who want to look younger. But this isn’t the only way in which this injectable has been revolutionizing skincare for the last few decades. While this treatment originally was only used to treat visible signs of aging on the forehead, such as horizontal lines and glabellar lines, it is now used to treat other concerns, such as:
- Crow’s feet
- Bunny lines
- Chin dents and wrinkles
- Tense neckbands
- Gummy smile
Further research into the application of this treatment has yielded many other uses for the neurotoxin. For example, this injectable is also commonly used to treat medical concerns, including migraines, excessive sweating, and even bladder spasms.
How Popular Is This Treatment?
Even with other comparable injections, like Xeomin or Dysport, Botox still remains at the top of the list for many patients. This injectable has been the most popular cosmetic treatment for at least the last 20 years and continues to grow in popularity. Everyone from celebrities to stay-at-home moms is using this treatment to look younger and feel more confident about themselves.
Using This Treatment Early
If you’ve been told that you have an expressive face, then there’s a good chance that you may be a candidate for early wrinkle formation. People who have expressive faces typically move facial muscles more frequently to emote, and over time that means that your skin creates the same etchings over and over – as you age and your skin changes, these etchings deepen into wrinkles.
By using this treatment earlier in life, you will be able to relax select muscles and ultimately stave off the formation of deeper dynamic wrinkles. You will still be able to emote, but the expressions will be more subtle, and you will ultimately slow down your wrinkle formation by several years.
Using This Treatment On Time
Most skin experts agree that using this treatment during your 30s is when you can get the most effectiveness from the product. Using this treatment during this period is ideal because it will be right around the time when your collagen production is slow enough that you will be able to tell where wrinkles are likely to form. You can target specific muscle groups in your face to prevent the worst dynamic wrinkles from forming.
Additionally, you can also pair this treatment with other cosmetic injectables or skincare products to fortify the production of collagen in your skin and slow the aging process even more.
Using This Treatment Later
If you’re already past your 30s, then you still have the opportunity to use this treatment. Because people age differently based on skin tone, genetics, and environmental factors, you may have the skin of a 30-year-old even if you’re well into your 40s. But regardless of whether or not this is the case, even if you have mild to moderate wrinkles, this injectable can still diminish the appearance of these visible aging signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will Your Face Be Frozen or Numb?
Botox is a neurotoxin that is derived from a bacteria called botulinum toxin. The way that a neurotoxin works is that it acts as a barrier between the normal communication of neurons and your brain, essentially preventing your brain from telling the muscles in your face to move or be tense. But there is a common misconception that this treatment will make your face freeze or feel numb.
The truth is that this treatment only affects motor neurons, so the sensory neurons that allow you to feel your face will be unaffected. And while this treatment will slow down your facial muscles, you will still be able to move your face and express emotions.
2. Do Men Also Use This Treatment?
Yes, men also use this treatment. In fact, about 10 to 20% of all Botox treatments are men who are treating cosmetic concerns. The fact of the matter is that while men may age slightly slower than women, they still have the same concerns about the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. This treatment is appropriate for every gender.
3. Is This Treatment Safe?
Yes, this treatment is very safe. This neurotoxin has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of wrinkles since 2002 and has been in use for medical conditions since the 80s. In addition to the millions of successful treatments with this injectable, the FDA also requires clinical trials and rigorous testing before approving a product for public consumption. As long as your provider is certified to provide this treatment, then this treatment is completely safe and generally considered low risk.
4. What Is Your Treatment Like?
Like many other injectable treatments, the process for this neurotoxin treatment is very simple. Usually, your appointment will take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete, making it an ideal lunchtime appointment for people who have busy daily schedules.
Your treatment will consist of several units being injected into various muscles in your face until your desired aesthetic goals are achieved. Most people with mild to moderate concerns will require about 100 units per appointment.
5. How Long Do Your Results Last?
You will generally be able to see the results of this treatment within 20 to 60 minutes of your appointment. The results of this treatment are known to last for about three to four months for most people. In general, this means that you will have a touch-up appointment three to four times a year to maintain your results.
6. What Should You Do After Your Appointment?
Because this treatment is minimally invasive, you will not need to take time off work after your appointment. However, you will need to follow a few instructions so your results develop as desired. For example, you should avoid using hot water, steam, chemical exfoliants, or other potential skin irritants for at least 24 hours after your appointment. You should also avoid unprotected sun exposure for the same reason.
7. Is This Treatment Comfortable?
Yes. We make every effort to ensure that your treatment is comfortable. Most people compare the injections to a light pinch or a flu shot. We can explore different options, such as a topical numbing cream, if you would like to ensure your comfort during the treatment.
8. How Can You Make Your Results Last Longer?
There are a couple of different factors that may contribute to the longevity of your results. One of the biggest hurdles for active people is their metabolic rate; in general, people who have high metabolisms from exercising may have results that last closer to three months than four. Because exercise is essential for your health, it’s recommended that you simply have treatments more frequently.
But there may be other ways to make your treatments last longer. For example, avoiding unprotected sun exposure will ensure that your neurotoxin is protected from UV damage that may break the formula down more quickly. Limiting alcohol and tobacco consumption may also be beneficial. People who drink enough water, eat a healthy diet, and lead a low-stress lifestyle may also have longer-lasting results.
9. Should You Combine Treatments?
Using multiple treatments is always an option for your treatment plan depending on what your aesthetic goals and concerns are. After all, a neurotoxin is only a wrinkle relaxer and will not add volume to the face or correct skin laxity. If you need to replace facial volume, then you’re better off including a dermal filler in your treatment plan to address additional concerns.
As for superficial concerns like sun spots, hyperpigmentation, or uneven tone, you may want to use treatments such as facials or chemical peels to correct these concerns. We can help you create a treatment plan that will achieve all of your beauty goals.
10. Who Are Good Candidates?
Anyone who is concerned about the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on their face is likely a good candidate for this treatment, regardless of age, gender, skin type, or skin tone. This neurotoxin is a universal treatment that can effectively relax tense muscles that contribute to the formation of dynamic wrinkles. Because the purified botulinum toxin A formula is well-tolerated by most people, there are very few restrictions for healthy patients.
However, if you are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to be pregnant, then you will not be able to use this treatment. People who have a history of a severe allergic reaction, especially to injectable treatments, may also not be qualified for this treatment. Those who have an active skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis, should reschedule their appointment.
Erase Your Wrinkles
When it comes down to it, age is just a number – so the best way to decide if now is the right time for a cosmetic treatment will depend on the condition of your skin and your aesthetic goals. Please contact the Dermatology Center of Acadiana in Lafayette, LA to schedule your consultation appointment today.
