Ask Dr. Man- Young Botox

Dear Dr. Man, I was at a bridal shower today and I was shocked to hear the bride and bridesmaids say that they have each gotten Botox injections. These girls are only in their mid-20’s. What’s the deal with such young, beautiful people getting Botox at such an early age?

Botox is supposed to give you a lift and make you look younger. But it's not just older people who are trying it. The "young" are even trying to look more youthful

Botox Cosmetic has become a very popular means of reducing certain facial wrinkles, including frown lines of the forehead and crows feet around the eyes. Frown lines are the vertical lines caused by contraction of the muscles of the eyebrows. Injecting Botox next to the muscles of the eyebrows and forehead causes the muscles to relax, smoothing out the vertical lines. Botox has become very popular with both men and women, in order to regain a more youthful appearance.

Botox used to be more common in people in their mid-to late-thirties and older; however, we’ve been seeing an increase in younger women looking to get Botox injections- even women in their 20’s. Most board-certified plastic surgeons will evaluate each patient on a case-by-case basis. There are some cases where someone’s face is very expressive, thus very deep frown lines appear at a young age.

So, how young is too young? The American Society for Plastic Surgeons does not recommend cosmetic procedures for anyone under the age of 18, except for rhinoplasty, breast reduction and treatment of congenital deformities. Even though it might seem a bit extreme for young women to get Botox injections, the risk is relatively low. It really depends on how early people begin developing wrinkles and how severe the wrinkles are.

A study conducted in 2006 suggests that consistent Botox treatment may prevent the development of imprinted lines and wrinkles associated with aging. The study looked at Botox use as a preventative measure of wrinkles, rather than a reactive one. This study showed that if a patient is 18 years or older, treating the first sign of a wrinkle may actually prevent future wrinkles.

As always, every patient differs. You should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to assess your individual needs.

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Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. He has a successful private practice in Boca Raton, FL. For more information about Dr. Man, visit www.drman.com.