There’s no denying that Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the industry. And to be fair, we’d say that Botox probably deserves that title. In skilled and trained hands, Botox offers some amazing results whether you’re treating fine lines and wrinkles or trying to slim down the jawline. Side effects are rare, and it’s an effective and safe treatment for most people.

So, you might be thinking, let’s get started! If Botox is so great, it’s never too soon! That’s partially true, and even though we don’t typically put an “age” on any of our treatments, if you’re thinking about starting Botox treatments at a very young age, it may not be the best option for you quite yet. So how young is truly too young for Botox?

What is Botox?

Botox is a neurotoxin that essentially limits muscle movement in areas on the face where we tend to produce the most wrinkles from the dynamic movements we make with our face. So the most obvious places where we produce wrinkles are on the forehead when we frown, or around the eyes when we squint, and around the mouth when we smile or laugh (though we typically choose to tackle those with dermal filler).

These are not the only cosmetic concerns that can be treated with Botox. It can certainly be effectively used for other indications, such as to correct asymmetries, prevent dimpling in the chin or scrunching in the nose (known as “bunny lines”), and slim down the jawline. There are really so many applications for Botox and other neuromodulators like it, Dr. Goyal put together a behind the scenes look at how many different concerns it can treat that you can check out here.

Botox can also treat medical conditions like the effects of Bell’s Palsy, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), and migraines, amongst other medical concerns.

In the cosmetic industry though, Botox is really a treatment to counter the effects of aging, which is why the question of what the right age might be for the treatment is a totally fair and common one!

Can I have Botox treatments if I’m 18 or younger?

At MD Beauty Clinic, we don’t treat anyone under 18 without parental consent. Typically, if you’re under 18 and getting Botox treatments, you’re likely doing it for therapeutic reasons or cosmetic reasons unrelated to aging. For example, you may be treating a “gummy smile,” perhaps an imbalance due to something like Bell’s Palsy, or you may have a condition like hyperhidrosis that you want to keep in check.

Basically what we’re saying is that if you’re 18 and younger, you probably don’t have fine lines and wrinkles yet so Botox need not be on your radar for those kinds of concerns. It may, however, be a useful and effective treatment for some of the concerns we listed above.

What is the ideal age to start Botox treatments?

There’s no real or “perfect” age to start Botox treatments. Most people start using Botox in order to address the signs of aging in their 30s and 40s. Because Botox affects the strength of the muscle, we don’t love the idea of “preventative” Botox from a very young age. If you notice lines while your face is at rest and you are in your 30s and these lines bother you, then sure, it could be a good time to start.

The reason we don’t want to start Botox too soon is because, as much as the point of Botox is to relax the muscles so that they reduce the amounts of dynamic lines and wrinkles that they create, we actually also don’t want to over-relax those muscles either.

Basically, we don’t want to relax the muscles so much when you’re young so that come your 50s and 60s you have no definition in your face anymore. What you don’t want is for your muscles to completely atrophy. The skin on your face still needs those muscles to work to some extent and to maintain some volume when you’re older in order to help support the softer tissues in your skin. Otherwise we’re actually doing the opposite: aging your face faster as a result of diminished facial muscles rather than slowing those signs of aging down.

Is Botox the right treatment for me?

As popular and widespread as Botox is, it doesn’t mean EVERYONE has to do it or that it’s even the right treatment for everyone. In other words, don’t get Botox treatments because you think that you should or that you have to, or because it’s what someone else is doing and you love their look. Do it if and when lines at rest bother you. If they don’t bother you, there’s no need to do it.

And if they are really bothering you and you want to find out if Botox is the right treatment for you, come and see us and we’ll let you know which treatment options are going to best address your particular skin goals. No matter which treatments you choose, we love creating a plan that’s totally tailored to you. You deserve it!