Until recently, the realm of cosmetic injectables such as Botox® and Juvederm® has been dominated by a more mature patient population, but recently, the demand for these injectables has been spreading like wildfire among a much younger crowd. The recent trend has been that Millennials are all about looking and feeling their best, and they are not limiting themselves to only topical treatments. They are unafraid to actively seek advice and expert medical help to make themselves look the best they can be. They make it a priority to be knowledgeable and educated about all the cutting-edge cosmetic treatments available on the current market. They are also more than willing to spend their hard-earned income on cosmetic treatments, because what they perceive as so-called maintenance and preventive care, including all cosmetic treatments like Botox® and dermal fillers, is their top priority. Beautiful skin and less wrinkles translate to the perception of youth, beauty, and vitality. To achieve this, the Millennials are more than willing to seek the help of all kinds of cosmetic treatments, like lasers, microneedling, chemical peels, liposuction, plastic surgery, and especially the most-easily accessible and affordable treatment options of neuromodulators like Botox® and dermal fillers like Juvederm®. For years, Botox® has remained the most popular, minimally-invasive procedure, even over dermal fillers, and thanks to the increasing interest of the Millennials, the Botox® craze seems to be staying at the top of the cosmetic heap. The price tag is relatively affordable with appreciable results, and it is available in all markets across the nation. And because Botox® is FDA approved for ages 18-65, and the patients who want it are getting younger and younger, one begs the question, “Is it ever too early to start?”
Here at HDC, we firmly believe in embracing and revealing the best version of yourself, but ultimately being and feeling comfortable in your own skin. If this means desiring and getting cosmetic treatments like Botox®, we support that personal and very unique choice. However, one might wonder, “Does anyone really need Botox?” The resounding answer is “No, of course not.” But will it help reduce the appearance of the fine lines and wrinkles that plague all age groups and perhaps slow down the severity of their development? The answer is an unequivocal “Yes!” However, Botox® isn’t the only treatment option for anti-aging. Plus, it isn’t for everyone, nor does it fix all cosmetic imperfections. In the right setting and appropriate patient, Botox® is truly a great option to take into consideration as a first step in the cosmetic treatment arena. Botox® is like dipping your toes into the water before diving in.
With the younger crowd, from the late-20’s and early 30’s, the term “preventative Botox®” is one that has been commonly floating around in the social media lately. And among the young, affluent, socially-connected, and red-carpet personalities we all know and admire, treatment with Botox® is much like getting their nails manicured or their eyebrows groomed. Botox® is simply maintenance. This attitude or outlook has naturally trickled down to influence us more common folk. But what is the impact on getting Botox® early on and regularly.? How does it impact the face on a long-term basis? What does this Botox trend really mean?
Multiple studies over the years have shown that repetitive movement of facial expressions over the course of your lifetime leads to habitual muscle use and ultimately the appearance of resting and active lines, folds and wrinkles in the skin, which correlate to those muscles. However, you can slow down the development and worsening of these lines and folds and reduce their appearance by decreasing the use of them at any age. This is where Botox® comes in. This is the “preventative” part, where intervening with Botox® treatment at a younger age allows these lines to soften and to possibly prevent the deeper ones from ever developing. The facial muscles may even lose their memory to actually perform their movements with continued Botox® treatments and will shrink over time. This is what “preventative” Botox® is all about.
Dr. Honet prefers delivering a more natural approach when it comes to neuromodulators like Botox® and dermal fillers for our patients. But rest assured, if the frozen, smooth look is what you’re going for, she will gladly oblige. And by no means do you need to start Botox® at a young age, or at any age for that matter. Botox® or any other cosmetic procedure is a purely personal decision. However, our Botox® patients, ranging from their mid-twenties all the way to their 60s and above do love the way they look post- Botox®. Believe it or not, most of our patients often want more Botox® at their follow-up appointments, because they want a more “relaxed,” smooth look in their lines and wrinkles. They see the improvement, and they want more. Dr. Honet is always saying that the only real problem with Botox® is that if you love the results, it is temporary, lasting only 4-6 months, so repeat treatments are always necessary. But in the same vein, this “wearing off” of Botox® at 4-6 months can be a positive, if you decide that you’re not a big fan of it after all.
To Botox® or not to Botox®? That is the real question, because you’re never too young or too old for it. Come in and let us help you figure out if Botox® or any other cosmetic treatment is right for you. Let us help reveal the best you that you can be.
Happy, Healthy Skin!
–Senada and Dr. H
