Preventative Botulinum Toxin: Are You Doing Too Much Too Soon?

It seems everyone has an opinion about whether to get Botulinum Toxin nowadays. In fact, many are for or against spending money on anti-aging procedures from as early as their 20s. 

There have been continued advancements in products and procedures geared toward holding onto a youthful glow for longer from a younger age. As such, it’s safe to say that prevention is a key focus when perfecting a skincare routine. The real question now is, how much is too much when starting young? 

Preventative Botulinum Toxin: When To Start?

Preventative Botulinum Toxin delays the formation of lines and wrinkles. This is as opposed to its corrective use of addressing existing and established lines and wrinkles. 

There has been a steady increase in people in their 20s seeking preventative procedures. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that Botulinum Toxin injections are up 28% since 2010 for those ranging from 20 to 29 years old. 

When it comes to cosmetic procedures, there is always a fine line between small tweaks and going too far.

So why are younger patients going this route? Also, how can you incorporate Botulinum Toxin into a skincare routine from as early as your 20s? 

Understanding the motivation of younger patients 

Once again, the pandemic has had a major impact on the increase in patients in their 20s seeking cosmetic procedures. Due to the increase in Zoom meetings, millennials tend to spend more time staring at and evaluating themselves on their screens. 

Also, due to their lifestyles and habits, millennials tend to spend more time in front of screens. This then increases their chances of blue light affecting their skin. Blue light exposure from your phones, laptops, and tv can cause early aging and pigmentation and can harm your collagen production.

Also, millennials are among the most sleep-deprived due to their fast-paced and stressful lifestyles. 

Too much, too fast will have the opposite effect

If you are in your 20s, and you start noticing early signs of aging, Botulinum Toxin is a great treatment option to get ahead of mother nature. 

When performed by a trained professional, this anti-aging procedure is safe. Patients will experience minimal downtime for an almost immediately noticeable improvement in targeted areas.

Yet, too much Botulinum Toxin or soft tissue fillers at an early age and in a short time – even though the effects are not permanent – has the potential to distort the face and give an unnatural appearance. Too much of anything is never a good thing, and patients should be mindful of this. It is important to rely on the professional guidance of your doctor.  

Continued high doses of Botulinum Toxin that do not allow any movement of the muscles can cause facial muscles to lose their strength and agility. In fact, this is very common in patients who start with high doses in their 20s. 

Preventative Botulinum Toxin is best suited for those that have early sun damage or are genetically prone to deep wrinkles or excessive fine lines. The treatment should be discussed as an option as part of a bigger skincare routine and plan.

I would advise patients to look for older family members who have deep and visible expression lines first before proceeding with their treatments. They should also consider genetics, age, lifestyle habits, and long-term desires.

It’s all part of a healthy approach to skincare

Most doctors will advise patients to focus on a holistic approach to skincare that looks after the quality of skin and skin health. This includes a proper skincare regime that includes chemical exfoliation, daily use of SPF, and the correct lifestyle and nutrition habits. 

Having an effective skin routine will be very beneficial down the line. It will also save money on costly anti-aging treatments in the future and reduce the need for Botulinum Toxin, and other procedures and treatments.

Botulinum Toxin is a safe and effective anti-wrinkle treatment. Yet, as with all medical and aesthetic treatments, it should be considered as an option in consultation with a professional. 

The effects of Botulinum Toxin are not permanent, and regular treatments need to be performed every four to six months. This treatment evidently requires a significant investment in terms of cost and time.

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