There’s been a lot of media attention given to so called “Botox Babies” lately, but the truth is that the 17-year-old Botox recipient simply isn’t the norm. The fact is, if you take measures to prevent the signs of aging today, you can prolong (or even avoid) a trip to the surgical suite down the road. We talk a lot about the aging face that is beyond the benefit of preventive measures, including Botox or Dysport, the various filler products or other noninvasive surface skin treatments, but the question today has become, what is too young?

AGE VS AGING

Age is a relatively arbitrary measure. Instead of playing the numbers game, determining the “right” person for noninvasive preventive skin treatments includes evaluating the individual patient’s face and skin. The signs of aging include wrinkles, irregular blotchy patches of skin, loss of facial volume (especially around the eyes, cheeks and temples), skin laxity and thinning. Depending on how severe
these aging attributes are, a patient may or may not be a candidate for noninvasive corrections. This can only be determined by a qualified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist.

The editor of this very magazine says that she hears all the time that she’s too “young” for Botox. But she also points out in a recent blog posting that her goal is prevention with a softer, more natural look, not the frozen face of the generation past. And it’s not just about softening those wrinkles.

From her perspective, the subtle lift achieved with a filler was all she needed. “Granted, you’ve got to have a doctor who understands the brow muscles, how they’re balanced, and how to effectively manipulate them to create that little lift you’re looking for. (Yes, ‘little’; if you need a drastic lift, you’ll have to settle for the scalpel!)

Eliza’s case clearly illustrates the difference between what you can expect to achieve with a neurotoxin (Botox or Dysport) versus the more drastic (effective, long-lasting) result that can be achieved with a scalpel.

PREVENTION PRESCRIPTION

The good news? Early measures can prevent and minimize signs of aging and state-of-the-art technologies can even reverse existing damage. The sun is the primary culprit of wrinkles and irregular and thinning skin. Using a fullspectrum sunscreen or avoiding the sun will help to prevent aging. For skin that shows signs of damage, tretinoin cream can thicken the skin and improve the appearance of brown spots. DNA repair enzyme creams can help to repair sun damage while also helping to prevent wrinkles and sun spots. Botox and Dysport minimize frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet. Lasers and chemical peel procedures also thicken the skin and improve both wrinkles and sun spots. Taking noninvasive skin repair to the next level is the latest generation of skin tightening technologies that use radiofrequency, ultrasound or infrared light to heat and tighten the skin.

For skin protection, there is no such thing as too young. We should all take measures to protect our skin from the sun. Age aside, if you have early signs of wrinkles, spots and skin laxity, taking preventive measures now just might be the prescription to avoiding the scalpel and aging gracefully.