A recent trend among the under 30 crowd is neurotoxin treatment for the face in an attempt to maintain their youthful appearance. This social media generation who rely on Selfies and Live Chat are flocking to cosmetic surgeons offices for Botox treatments promising to improve skin quality and prevent wrinkles. Is it a good idea to treat wrinkles on younger faces that are not even there?
Too Young, Too Pretty
Some doctors are cashing in on this craze, promising to maintain youth with frequent dilute Botox treatments. The catch is, the only way to "prevent" wrinkles is to never stop getting injected! Do the math, Botox injections every 3-4 months from your twenties till death? That is a lot of toxin, and a lot of money! Why not wait until the wrinkles start to form in your late thirties or forties, and then begin treatment? Same result! Also, overly treated young millennial faces can actually give an older appearance.
Treatment is not needed
There are legitimate indications for Botox or Dysport treatments in the younger patient population. Genetic static wrinkles or eyebrows that droop secondary to inherited traits from parents or grandparents can be effectively treated. Hypertrophic or unreasonably large masseter (cheek) muscles causing increased girth of the mid face can be remedied with neurotoxins to reduce their bulk, slimming the face. Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the palms, feet or armpits is an embarrassing condition afflicting people of all ages. Treatment consists of multiple injections to the region, which decreases the flow of sweat in those areas.
The easiest and most reliable way to maintain a youthful appearance is avoid excessive sun exposure, drink lots of water and use a good facial moisturizer cream. Not as sexy as Botox, but your wallet will love you for it!
About the Author:
Robert Tornambe, MD
Medical Advisor, Trueself
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Tornambe has been practicing plastic surgery for more than 25 years. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, was featured in NYMAG's "Best Doctors" issue, and was the Chief of Plastic Surgery at NYC's Cabrini Medical Center for 20 years.