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Dermatologists Take on Popular Trends Series – The ‘Right’ Age to Start Botox

We’ve all heard the buzz about ‘preventative Botox’ and how it can help to treat wrinkles before they ever emerge, but is it really worth all the hype? The Alamo Heights Dermatology team answers frequently asked questions discussing this latest trend and the best age to start for maximum facial benefits.

Note: We’ve decided to use a rating scale (1-5) to represent the glow-up potential of the trend. For example: “This trend was rated a 3 out of 5 for glow-up potential.

Preventative Botox: Must or Bust?

What is preventative Botox and how does it work?

AHD Team: Using neuromodulators such as Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin, preventative Botox helps prevent resting lines from forming in the face. Repetitive muscle contractions from frowning, squinting, and raising the eyebrows can lead to the gradual formation of facial lines. These products don’t “add” anything to the skin per se, but they temporarily reduce the underlying muscle activity that causes lines to form. The concept of preventative Botox is to initiate treatment before lines are etched into the skin.

How young is too young?

AHD Team: Cosmetic use of Botox has only been FDA approved in adults. Our young preventative patients may start benefiting from treatment in their mid-to-late 20s and certainly by age 30.

What makes someone a good candidate for preventative Botox?

AHD Team: The best neuromodulator candidates are those patients who are starting to transition from dynamic lines (lines that develop with expression) to static lines (lines that stay in place even at rest). The goal is to hold those static lines off. However, even patients with moderate to severe crow’s feet and frown lines can benefit and look better.

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Can too much Botox age you?

AHD Team: Injectable neuromodulators are temporary! Most patients will start to take notice of benefits at around three months. There is no lasting or permanent effect and no accelerated aging once they have worn off. So no, too much Botox doesn’t “age you.” But I think we can all agree that patients who are “overdone” can look unnatural.

What’s your bottom line when it comes to Botox?

AHD Team: The bottom line is the family of neuromodulators is great and offers a safe, practical, and temporary benefit for facial aging. When done well, patients can look and feel great, having a natural result. Since they don’t understand the nature of the product or how it works, one of the biggest mistakes we see is someone holding off on Botox until their facial lines are deep and furrowed. Of course, those lines may soften, but at that point, they have lost that great preventative power of the product. So, if those lines start to stick around, that’s the best time to start addressing them.

What would you rate this skincare trend on the glow-up potential scale?

AHD Team: What’s the highest rating again? Honestly, I can’t speak highly enough of the results when started during that transition moment rather than waiting. A true 5 out of 5 on my scale!

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Come visit us at Alamo Heights Dermatology for all your general, cosmetic, and surgical dermatological needs! Schedule your consultation at (210) 255-8447 or request an appointment online today – better skincare practice today for better skin tomorrow!

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