Botox can be an effective treatment for facial lines and wrinkles. It can rejuvenate a face and improve self-esteem that may have been lost as a result of age. It is a fairly simple procedure, with little pain and no post-procedure downtime. For this reason, it has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in North America.
When considering Botox treatment, it is important to remember that this is a prescription-only medication, that must be administered by a trained physician. It has potential side effects and may have long-term implications for facial development.
Though this treatment has become popular with an ever-younger population, the majority of cosmetic surgeons agree that waiting until there are lines on the face at rest (static wrinkles) is best. For most men and women, these static wrinkles begin to appear sometime in their thirties. Though this is the average age, lifestyle and genetics lead to skin changes which may occur earlier or later depending on the individual.
By beginning Botox treatments too early, patients may be paralyzing muscles that create facial expression, and may even cause those muscles to atrophy (shrink), changing the contours of the face altogether, even appearing to age it.
But what about an upper age limit? Is there a point in time when Botox is no longer safe or perhaps no longer effective?
Allergan, the company that manufactures Botox, recommends Botox up to the age of 65. They do so because Botox has not been tested on patients older than this. However, there is consensus amongst cosmetic surgeons that older healthy patients also do well with Botox. In this case, the surgeon would tell the patient in advance that this is considered an “off-label” use of the product, so patients understand their risks. Patients are also counseled as to the results they might expect from their treatment at their age. They may not be able to rely on Botox to rejuvenate their face completely. Fillers, laser skin resurfacing and other treatments may be recommended in addition to Botox.
In older patients, there are important injection considerations to avoid making patients look older or more tired; therefore an experienced Botox injector should be consulted.
Ultimately, as one online plastic surgeon recommended, at this age, “be candid with your consultant and modest with your expectations.”
Are you too old or too young for Botox? It is hard to know unless you visit a qualified cosmetic practitioner who can assess your individual characteristics, wants, and needs.