Yep, you read that right. Now that it’s so accessible and increasingly less expensive, getting “a bit of Botox” has become a part of some people’s self-care routines. In the age of a social media takeover—with endlessly edited selfies exposing supernaturally smooth skin and chiseled cheekbones to celebrity plastic surgeons posting before-and-after images of their work—it’s no wonder our beauty ideals have drastically transformed. For 20-something-year-olds, there’s no treatment more popular than Botox. Need proof? According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, botulinum toxin procedures have increased by 28% since 2010 amongst 20 to 29-year-olds (men included!).
When individuals in their 20s first consider getting Botox, prevention is often the primary factor since the early signs of aging—such as crow’s feet and forehead lines—are beginning to show. As we all know, lines get deeper and deeper with age. So it makes sense that if you start getting Botox early enough and it’s done properly, you’re not going to need as much in the future. For younger patients wary of the frozen face look, our Sheperd Integrative Dermatology skin specialists err on the side of caution and inject on the lighter side.
What’s less commonly discussed is this: too much Botox can actually age you. Say you have been getting a high dose of this neurotoxin on your forehead for 20-plus years. Since botulinum toxin temporarily reduces facial muscle contraction, the muscles become drastically weaker and flatten over the years. And as your muscles grow weaker, they can start to recruit surrounding muscles when you make facial expressions. This means more Botox for the newly recruited muscles. Too much of a good thing…
When it comes to Botox injections, there’s a fine line between “baby Botox” and going overboard. Our Mt. Pleasant skin care professionals approach injectables artfully and conservatively. Schedule a free consultation at Sheperd Integrative Dermatology today to learn more about how we can tailor neurotoxin treatment to your unique needs.