It’s common knowledge that Dysport(and other tox treatments) work exceptionally well to smooth wrinkles and help create a younger look. And the hype’s not wrong — neurotoxin treatments like Botox and Dysport produce fantastic, natural-looking results when performed thoughtfully and by a highly experienced injector like Brooke Bentley. But one question remains: What age can and should you start Dysport or Botox injections?
In a perfect world, we could give you a magic number — an exact age when everyone should get their first tox treatment for optimum results. However, the answer isn’t so clear-cut. If you’re wondering if you should dip your toe in the tox injections pool, we’re here to clue you in, starting with:
How TOX Works
Botox and Dysport (the tox brands we use) and Xeomin, Daxxify, and Jeuveau are collectively known as neuromodulators. They work using an active ingredient derived from the toxin Clostridium botulinum. When injected into strategic spots in the face and elsewhere, the tox temporarily paralyzes the treated muscle. If the muscle underneath a wrinkle can’t move, the visible crease eventually disappears or improves, creating a smoother look. Tox injections last a few months before wearing off, so retreatment every 3-4 months is required.
Tox treatments are only approved for use in people 18 or older, so you can receive them if you meet the minimum age. But should you start so soon? Here’s what you can expect from Botox injections at every stage of life.
Your Late Teens to 20s: Nice, but Not Always Necessary
When Botox was approved for cosmetic use in the U.S. in 2002, it was intended to treat wrinkles already present in the face. Lately, however, we’ve experienced the preventative benefits of tox injections before wrinkles appear. Accordingly, the number of under-30 tox patients has been on the rise in recent years. Preventative plans generally involve injecting a few units of Botox into wrinkle-prone areas, like the forehead, and around the eyes. Most people have no discernable lines at this age, but if you have strong musculature in these facial areas, you may notice faint wrinkles by mid-to-late 20s. (Smokers can also develop lines sooner.)
The Bottom Line: If you’re super-committed to keeping wrinkles at bay, tox injections can help (and are relatively affordable) in your 20s. But even if you wait a few years to start, you’re likely to get good results.
Your 30s: Take the Tox Plunge
In this decade of life, you’ll most likely start noticing small creases in your face, like tiny “crow’s feet” around the eyes and “11s” between your eyebrows. Many patients at Bentley Medical & Aesthetics get their first tox injections in their 30s.
The Bottom Line: This is the sweet spot for tox. Setting up a wrinkle treatment regimen now can result in smoother skin later.
Your 40s: Not Too Late to Start
Unless you’ve been blessed with excellent genes, the signs of aging have probably become more noticeable on your face at this age. Crow’s feet and 11s can become more pronounced and static, and you may also start seeing “marionette lines” – the creases that start at the corners of your mouth and move down to your chin. In addition, you may notice the smooth texture of your skin changing as the effects of sun damage and other factors take their toll. If you haven’t had any tox injections by your 40s, it’s not too late to start. However, you may need more units than younger patients, and deeper lines may not disappear entirely, until you have established a regular tox regimen and lines begin to fade.
The Bottom Line: This is a critical time to catch up with tox treatments. Since tox can’t treat signs of sun damage, you may also consider additional procedures like laser, IPL, medical-grade skincare, microdermabrasion, or microneedling to achieve your best result.
Your 50s and Up: A Better Version of You
As we age, our skin loses elastin and collagen, two compounds that help it appear plump and youthful. Additionally we may see bone loss, fat pad shrinkage, ligament displacement and more laxity in our facial muscles, resulting in sagging and lines. Tox treatments may not address all your wrinkles, but they can lessen their appearance, leaving you looking younger and more refreshed. To boost the effect of your tox, you may also want to consider dermal fillers or biostimulators to improve the appearance of specific areas, like nasolabial folds, cheekbones, jaw line and mid-face.
The Bottom Line: It’s never too late to start using Botox or Dysport. Though it won’t make you look like a 20-year-old, it can be more successful than you think.
At Bentley Medical & Aesthetics, we’re happy to talk to you about tox treatment! Set up your consultation today, and we’ll help you decide if it is the right solution.
