Worldwide, Botox is the most popular form of cosmetic treatment right now. Its effectiveness in reducing lines and wrinkles makes it one of the best options for those of us who seek to maintain a smooth, youthful appearance. While most people who request this treatment are between 40-59, data indicates that it is trending among millennials in their 20s and 30s. At South Lake OBGYN in Clermont, FL, we can help you understand when you should start your treatments for the best results.
What Is Botox?
Botox is an injectable substance that has been approved by the FDA for cosmetic use since 2002. It can help lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the upper and lower face. Some issues that are highly treatable with Botox include:
- Vertical “11” lines between the eyebrows
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet
- Vertical lip lines
Why Do We Get Wrinkles in the First Place?
Wrinkles are one of the most recognizable signs of aging. Our faces have 43 different muscles. Every time we make a facial expression, our muscles move and cause our skin to crease. Over time, these creases in our faces become permanent.
We don’t develop wrinkles when we are young because collagen (a kind of protein in our bodies) and elastin fibers allow the skin to unfold when our facial muscles relax. As we age, our elastin fibers weaken and our bodies produce less and less collagen. In our 20s, most people begin to see dynamic lines. Dynamic lines are lines that only appear during certain facial expressions. Eventually, dynamic lines turn into static lines, which remain on our faces all the time. In turn, dynamic lines deepen and become wrinkles.
What Are Some Factors That Accelerate the Development of Lines and Wrinkles?
The Sun
The same big, powerful star that gives us daylight and causes our world to rotate is also having an effect on your skin. Sun exposure is one of the biggest factors that contributes to premature aging.
When our skin absorbs UV rays, the collagen and elastin fibers break down more quickly. Most dermatologists recommend that we wear an SPF every day, even when we do not plan to be in the sun for very long. Today, many cosmetics companies are including SPF in their formulas for moisturizer and foundation.
What We Eat and Drink
Not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals can cause our skin to look less smooth and radiant. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages can also accelerate changes in our skin.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
When we sleep is when our bodies restore themselves. Not getting enough sleep deprives your skin of the time it needs to rejuvenate itself, resulting in faster aging.
Stress
When we are stressed, our bodies produce cortisol. If we continuously have a high level of cortisol for a long period of time, it has a corrosive effect on collagen and can lead to lines and wrinkles. Being stressed might also cause you to make facial expressions that eventually form certain kinds of wrinkles.
Pollution
Chemicals in the atmosphere can be very harsh on your skin. Depending on where you live, environmental factors might be a factor in your appearance.
How Can Botox Help?
Regardless of the factors that determine how easily lines and wrinkles can potentially form on your skin, their actual development is a direct result of facial movements. This treatment works by inhibiting the muscles that cause lines and wrinkles to develop. When administered correctly, this treatment looks natural and does not “freeze” your face.
After your treatment, you can see results in as little as one week. For people who already have lines, this treatment can help reduce their appearance. It can also be used to prevent the lines from developing in the first place.
How Can This Treatment Be Part of Your Skin Care Routine?
As you can see, some of the factors that contribute to lines and wrinkles are within your control, whereas others are not. You can choose to stay out of the sun or practice yoga when you feel stressed. You might not be able to improve the level of pollution in the air or reverse the sunbathing you did years ago.
This treatment can help to improve your skin regardless of what caused (or might, in the future, cause) your lines and wrinkles. Your total skin care routine can include measures to cut back on factors that are within your control, while our treatment helps out with the rest. When you actively take care of your skin, you will benefit from the TLC.
Here are some things that you can do in combination with our treatment to achieve smooth, radiant skin:
- Drink plenty of water
- Wear an SPF every day
- Avoid unnecessary sun exposure
- Gently exfoliate your skin
- Apply moisturizers
- Eat a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals
- Get the right amount of sleep for your body
- Do activities that you enjoy to reduce stress
When Should You Begin Getting These Treatments?
Many women are asking this question. If you would like to use this treatment as a preventative measure, you can start getting treatments before your wrinkles actually appear. So, given that no one knows exactly when they will start to see wrinkles, what is a good age to start? Here are some factors to consider that will help you decide:
Your Genetics
Many people develop wrinkles according to their genetics. Disregarding environmental and lifestyle factors, the rate at which your skin changes is determined by your genes. For some people, lines and wrinkles develop earlier than for others. If you begin to see lines on your face that resemble those of your relatives, you might want to begin treating them when they start.
Your History of Sun Exposure
Some people have hobbies and/or professions that require them to be in the sun for long periods of time. For example, lifeguards, golfers, sailors and people who just love the outdoors tend to incur more skin damage than others. Other people purposefully spend time in the sun to get tanned skin. If you have had a lot of sun exposure in the past, you might want to start your treatments in your 20s or 30s.
Your Skin Type and Color
Every person’s skin ages differently. Our bodies produce collagen in amounts that vary from person to person. Similarly, the rate at which the collagen decreases as a person ages is unique to that individual. People with light skin tones tend to develop wrinkles earlier than people with darker skin. Oily skin tends to wrinkle less quickly than dry skin.
Your Preferences
When asked about the ideal age to begin treatments, many aestheticians say that it is really a matter of personal preference. The true cut-off age on the younger end of the spectrum is 18, because this treatment is only FDA approved for use in patients aged 18 and older. Beyond that constraint, determining your ideal age will depend on how proactive you would like to be when it comes to preventing wrinkles.
Professional Advice
According to many aestheticians, a good time to start treatments is when you begin to see lines that appear in the same place every day. If your dynamic lines are beginning to turn into static lines, it could be a good time to schedule a consultation. For most people, this happens in their 20s or 30s.
40s and 50s
Your 40s and 50s are also a good time to start. In fact, statistically, most of the women who get this treatment are in this age group. At this age, you might have some deeper wrinkles that should be addressed with fillers. Fillers are different from Botox because they actually fill in the wrinkles. For this reason, Botox is best used preventatively, and fillers can reduce wrinkles that have already developed. Many women can benefit from a combination of Botox and fillers.
The truth is that there is a broad age range when it comes to beginning treatment. Some women prefer to start in their 20s or 30s, while others first decide they want treatment in their 40s or 50s. This treatment is effective at preventing wrinkles and reducing their appearance throughout the age spectrum. The goal is to help you feel great at any age.
Why Is the Popularity of This Treatment Rising Among Millennials?
The mentality towards this treatment is shifting because people are realizing that it can be used as a preventative measure. Rather than just a solution for lines and wrinkles that already exist, it can actually lessen the rate at which they develop in the first place. Starting your treatments earlier rather than later can reduce the need for fillers and other measures.
Beauty Is Ageless
You deserve to look and feel amazing at any age. Maybe you can’t go back in time and undo your sunbathing sessions, but you can take steps to care for your skin now. This treatment is an effective way to see a noticeable difference in your skin, even if environmental factors, genetics, or the normal process by which our skin changes has caused some lines and/or wrinkles.
On a positive note, while your lines and wrinkles may have taken years to develop, you can see the anti-aging effects of this treatment in as little as one week.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are unsure about when you should begin treatment, you can always schedule a consultation with us. Our dermatologists will assess your skin and talk with you about your concerns. You can tell us about the improvements you would like to see. We will let you know how this treatment can help you meet your goals and give you the results you want.
So, When Is the Best Time to Begin Your Treatment?
The goal of this treatment is to make you look and feel your best. Your appearance is something that is very personal to you. Also, the rate at which you begin to develop lines and wrinkles is determined by your unique genetics and lifestyle. Therefore, whenever you begin to notice lines and wrinkles is a good time to start.
Many women have started their treatment in their 20s, with great results. It is also true that many women in their 50s have had Botox for the first time and loved it. Throughout the age spectrum, this treatment is extremely effective both as a preventative measure and as a way to improve your skin. It delivers noticeable results and can help you achieve the look you want to show the world.
Call South Lake OBGYN in Clermont, FL to learn more about this treatment. We are very happy to give you more information and discuss how our services can help you care for your skin.