Can You Be Too Young to Try Botox?
Most people know the benefits of Botox. Botox can serve as one of the best treatment options for the reduction of wrinkles, fine lines, and drooping faces. While Botox is safe when administered by a licensed dermatologist, it still begs the question, can you be too young for Botox, and how young is too young? It’s important to answer these questions to ensure that Botox is always used safely.
What You Need to Know About Botox
Understanding Botox
Botox is the brand name prescription injected made from Botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin is created from the bacterium, Clostridium Botulinum. The botulinum toxin naturally prohibits neurotransmitter signals to the brain, causing the injected area to become paralyzed. When injected safely, the paralyzing effect of Botox creates the desired result for a smoother, wrinkle-free look. We make certain facial expressions over the years, expressions that are made through the contraction of a muscle and the more we contract, the deeper the wrinkle becomes. Botox works to paralyze the nerves, thus relaxing the muscle, preventing it from contracting, and creating fewer wrinkles.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Adults who struggle with fine lines that worsen when they make a facial expression tend to be the best candidates for Botox injections. The individuals should also be generally healthy and do not have a history of neuromuscular diseases. Those who have a good amount of elasticity in their skin are also perfect candidates for Botox. This is because when you have more elasticity in the skin, your skin has a higher chance of looking firm even as the muscle is paralyzed.
Good candidates also tend to be a bit older. Older individuals have developed more defined and typically permanent wrinkles that can be easily sought out and fixed. Younger individuals tend to have less defined wrinkles that may be treated with lesser treatment options like wrinkle serums or general moisturizing.
What Is the Appropriate Age for Botox?
There’s been a bit of debate over the appropriate age for which Botox injections can be administered. According to the FDA, the minimum age for Botox is 18 years old. However, despite this declaration, many practices have considered it unethical to administer Botox to someone as young as 18. This is due to the fact that most individuals that age have only just begun to develop wrinkles or haven’t developed any at all, and therefore receiving Botox injections may be unnecessary and actually make the face look overprocessed. Instead, the majority of dermatologists and clinics have set the minimum age to 25 years old.
As we mentioned, it is extremely important that you visit a licensed dermatologist for Botox treatment. Be weary of any clinic that is willing to administer injections to individuals younger than 25. If you have any doubts, remember it’s your face and waiting a few years may be more important than jumping into an unethical practice.
Instead of searching for “Botox near me”, if you’re in Cincinnati, Ohio, our experts at The Dermatology Group are licensed dermatologists ready to determine if you’re a good candidate for Botox injections and help you begin this cosmetic treatment. Give us a call today!