As I was brushing up on pop culture the other day, I came across an article on oxygen.com about Amber Rose being shamed for getting BOTOX injections. A particular comment from one of her fans struck me, “You’re not old. Why?”
I’m a big believer in self-acceptance and self-love. But I also know that looking good and feeling good go hand in hand. I’ve never had BOTOX, but that’s not to say I would never have BOTOX. And if I did, when would be the right time to start? How young is too young for BOTOX?
To find out, I talked to Dr. Eric Mariotti — a plastic surgeon in the East Bay. He offers BOTOX® for people in Danville and the surrounding areas. I asked him if there was a “right age” for BOTOX, and here’s what I learned:
Everyone’s needs are different.
This is kind of a no-brainer. But everyone has different cosmetic goals and needs. The needs of someone in their 20s will differ from those of someone in their 40s. That doesn’t mean that younger people don’t have skincare concerns too; it just means that they are different — and aren’t necessarily age-related.
For example, Dr. Mariotti says his younger demographic may get BOTOX to look Instagram-ready before a big event — such as a wedding. They use BOTOX more for special occasions to look refreshed, smooth, and flawless, and less to turn back the clock. His younger patients also use BOTOX to prevent wrinkles, which brings me to my next point.
BOTOX is preventive.
This was news to me. I know BOTOX is used to improve the look of lines and wrinkles, but I didn’t realize it could also be used to prevent them. The reason BOTOX can do this, according to Dr. Mariotti, is because BOTOX keeps you from making the facial expressions that cause wrinkles. Think about it: Every smile, squint, and frown etches a line into your skin. Eventually the wrinkles stay permanently, even when you aren’t smiling.
With BOTOX, your muscles aren’t able to contract and create wrinkles. Over time, this prevents premature lines from forming and keeps existing lines from getting deeper. Additionally, the facial muscles targeted by the injections begin to weaken, and their ability to produce lines and wrinkles diminishes. However, Dr. Mariotti adds that while preventive BOTOX can delay early signs of aging, it is not possible to prevent the development of wrinkles entirely. (Darn!)
Your skin can age more (or less) rapidly than you do.
It’s true: Age really is just a number. And just because you reach a certain age doesn’t mean that you suddenly develop crow’s feet overnight (although it often feels that way). Sure, the natural aging process influences the condition of your skin. But so do many other factors, such as:
• Sun exposure
• Lifestyle choices
• Diet
• Smoking
• Your skincare routine
• Genetics
Rather than focusing on your age, focus on the condition of your skin, Dr. Mariotti says. If you see wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or forehead that bother you, BOTOX can usually help.