Should you get Botox injections in your 20s to prevent wrinkles in your 40s?

It is the most frequently performed aesthetic medicine procedure in France and in the world, all generations combined (1). is Baby Botox.

The difference with hyaluronic acid injections: “Certain wrinkles are caused by repetitive movements of the facial muscles, which will eventually create a break in the skin and therefore small wrinkles. These are the ones we can target through botox,” explains Dr. Antony Kalmon, an aesthetic physician in London. These so-called “mechanical” wrinkles, caused by repeated facial expressions, are nothing more than the famous frown lines (two between the eyebrows), crow’s feet (at the corners of the eyes), folds of bitterness (on the sides). mouth and chin) or horizontal folds on the forehead.

“Injecting botulinum toxin into these facial muscles helps to relax them. The product will reduce muscle contraction or even paralyze it if the dose is high. Therefore, there will be less breakdown in the skin and thus less visible wrinkles,” he adds. Dr. Alexandre Vairinho, plastic and aesthetic surgeon from Paris.

Preventive effect

Even though we are not all born equal when it comes to skin, these markers of aging are inevitable and more or less obvious depending on our facial expression tendencies , which will begin to be imprinted on the skin,” Dr. Kalmon continues.

In order to predict and minimize these effects in the long term, should we start ‘treating’ them at a very young age?”Many studies have shown that early botulinum toxin injections into the facial muscles that tend to cause expression lines delay and prevent the development of wrinkles. “, confirms the doctor in Great Britain. The observation shared by Dr. Vairinho. “Even without injecting very large doses, the skin will break down less in the long term, and therefore the wrinkles will be less obvious. On the other hand, once the skin breaks down, it becomes more difficult to treat.”

A health professional specializing in this area should advise you as it really depends on each person’s muscle contraction state.

Dr. Calmo

According to experts, there is no fixed age to start prevention, but the ideal is around thirty, starting with the appearance of the first fine wrinkles. “It may be a bit early to start Botox injections at the age of 20. But on a 27-year-old patient, who is already very pronounced, we can, for example, ask ourselves a question,” adds the plastic surgeon. On the other hand, “in some patients who don’t have very strong facial expressions, it makes absolutely no sense to do preventive Botox so early. A health professional specializing in this area should advise you, as it really depends on the state of each person’s muscle contractions,” insists Dr Kalmon.

Risk of early addiction

The use of Botox injections at a young age necessarily increases the risk of addiction over the years. does not give an average of more than two injections a year. “Which is more than enough. Botox lasts about six months and the molecule will be naturally digested by the body.

Moreover, “most toxins contain substances that can create antibodies. That’s why the body becomes resistant to the effectiveness of the poison,” warns Dr. Antoni Kalmon. And to note that “however, there are brands of pure substances that do not create this phenomenon and can allow long-term and regular use.”

Recall that in France, only plastic surgeons, dermatologists, ORN surgeons and ophthalmologists, who are members of the Council of Doctors, can inject patients with botulinum toxin. The treatment costs on average 350 to 500 euros.

(1) International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (Ipsas) report, 2023.