What Is the Best Age to Start Botox?

The number of Botox treatments carried out in the UK each year is rising and having an aesthetic treatment is now more acceptable than ever. In fact, according to research from Mintel, 31 per cent of UK adults would be interested in having a cosmetic treatment.

Botox is used to soften and minimise fine lines, crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles and the dreaded ’11’ lines between the eyebrows for a fresher-looking appearance. And not only is it used for cosmetic purposes, but Botox can also be used to treat conditions such as migraines, bruxism (jaw grinding), and excessive sweating.

Over the last few years, young people in their 20s have started to look at their faces differently and are now seeking Botox as a preventative measure to stop ageing in its tracks. But how soon is too soon?

Healthy skin first

Before seeking any aesthetic treatment, start by focusing on the quality of the skin by implementing a good quality regimen that includes an antioxidant, exfoliation and SPF protection, alongside regular chemical peels or specialised treatments such as the HydraFacial. Maintaining your skin’s health will help it to look youthful and radiant for longer, which should always be a priority over injectable treatments.

What is preventative Botox?

When women in their twenties first consider getting Botox, prevention is often the primary factor since the early signs of ageing – such as lines around the eyes and forehead wrinkles – are beginning to show. By injecting the muscles that typically cause wrinkles, Botox reduces those wrinkles before they emerge and become etched into the skin.

The Botox minimises the use of those muscles, preventing lines and wrinkles from developing (or at least delaying their development). If you start getting Botox at the right time and it’s done correctly, you’re not going to need as much in the future. But remember that youthful faces move. Look for an experienced practitioner who can help soften the lines whilst still maintaining the natural movement of the face.

When is the right time to start?

When your wrinkles continue to bother you. There is no ‘magic age’ to start Botox, and it’s impossible to give a one-size-fits-all answer. Everyone’s skin ages at different rates, and it can also depend on your skin type, genetics and lifestyle. There are women in their early twenties who smoke and use sunbeds, and their skin will look very different to someone in their late thirties who has looked after themselves. You have to treat what’s in front of you, not the patient’s age.

That being said, most patients typically start using Botox in their early 30s, some even in their mid-20s. The best time is usually when lines begin to stick around, but not too deeply. When you smile or frown, lines may develop during the expression, but they generally go away when the face is relaxed. However, when the earliest fine lines start to remain at rest, that’s when you can consider Botox.

There are, of course, several other ways you can minimise the signs of ageing in your twenties without injectables. As previously mentioned, a good skincare regime that’s high in antioxidants such as Vitamins A and C, as well as daily SPF, is an excellent starting point – and collagen-boosting treatments such as chemical peels, radiofrequency and microneedling can also help to reduce the appearance of early lines and wrinkles.

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