Botox is an empowering treatment for people looking to reduce facial wrinkles or even prevent them from forming—and most people over the age of 18 can safely receive Botox injections. At Derma Health, we help people of all ages meet their aesthetic and skin care goals and improve their quality of life.
So, why are men and women in their 20s getting Botox? Why does Derma Health support 20-somethings seeking Botox injections?
Countless studies have confirmed that socially-embedded beauty standards impact people of all ages worldwide. In response, people take steps to achieve these beauty standards—even young people.
But Botox isn’t just used for wrinkle reduction and prevention. Let’s explore how the treatment works, why people in their 20s use Botox and when patients should consider starting the process.
Botox: What Does It Actually Do?
Before we explore why people in their 20s are starting Botox, let’s break down a few basics about Botox and how it works:
- Botox is a treatment that uses injectable units of proteins made from Botulinum toxin, a naturally-occurring bacterial byproduct of the Clostridium botulinum bacterium.
- The Botulinum toxin is dangerous in large quantities, but small doses are harmless—small doses can also produce advantageous effects in both cosmetic and medical applications.
- When injected, Botulinum toxin can block certain nerve signals that make muscles contract. As a result, muscles relax and this effect continues for up to four months.
This muscle-relaxing effect is why Botox is so powerful in cosmetic applications—it can relax muscles that form existing wrinkles (particularly in the facial area) and even keep them from forming in patients who don’t have wrinkles yet.
Why Are 20-Somethings Choosing Botox?
Why are people in their 20s using Botox? Aren’t they too young? There are a few reasons why people may start Botox injections early in life, and cosmetics aren’t the only motivation for young adults to seek treatment.
It’s Preventative
While long-term studies of young people are still emerging, the current evidence suggests that continuous, early Botox treatments can prevent wrinkles as long as injections continue:
- In a 13-year study of identical twins published in 2006, researchers observed that the twin treated with Botox did not have evident wrinkles, while the untreated twin did. Treatments started when the twins were 25, and a follow-up when the twins turned 44 determined that the treated twin had noticeably fewer wrinkles.
- A 2011 study of 45 women between the ages of 30 and 50 determined that two years after patients’ last treatments, subjects still had reduced wrinkles.
Dermatologists and researchers have determined that if patients stop treatment, their facial muscles will re-engage, and wrinkles will begin to form. But, theoretically, if you receive Botox injections between the ages of 20 and 40, you won’t start wrinkling until a few months after your last treatment—you’d essentially “skip” twenty years of skin aging.
They’re Learning About the Benefits Earlier than Previous Generations
In the waiting room at Derma Health, you’ll likely see people across the age spectrum—and some young patients are simply accompanying their parents or older relatives to consultation and treatment appointments.
And, when they see how effective Botox treatments can be, some seek treatment for themselves too.
The reality is that the population of people receiving Botox injections is changing and has been for years:
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons addressed the upswing in 20-something Botox patients as early as 2017.
- In 2019, people aged 18-35 represented 15% of all Botox patients, and by 2021, they represented 17%.,
- Testimonials from young people are flooding social media, particularly on YouTube and TikTok.
As researchers collect more data, medical experts develop new treatments, and social media disseminates first-hand testimonials about aesthetic procedures, young people discover the power to develop autonomy over their own wellness sooner than their predecessors.
Aesthetics patients in their 20s are simply taking action to pursue their physical goals, just like every other patient age group.
They Have a Medical Issue That Botox Can Treat
However, let’s not forget that not all Botox patients receive injections for aesthetic purposes. The FDA has also approved them as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including:
- Overactive bladder – Botox can treat urination urgency issues, incontinence and frequency in patients who can’t take different, first-line incontinence medications (or when they don’t work as well as expected). Patients who suffer from incontinence as a result of neurological conditions can also benefit from Botox treatments in addition to or as a replacement for first-line medications.
- Migraines – The FDA has approved Botox as a treatment for patients with chronic, persistent headaches lasting four or more hours that occur at least 15 days out of every month.
- Muscle stiffness and spasms – Healthcare providers can use Botox injections to treat patients with muscle stiffness or spasticity in the elbows, wrists, fingers, ankles and toes.
- Cervical dystonia – Cervical dystonia, or CD, is a medical condition that causes uncontrollable neck muscle spasms, head-twisting or head-tilting. The intense pain can be alleviated by Botox injections.
- Hyperhidrosis – Botox can reduce excessive sweating in the armpits, on the palms of the hands or on the bottoms of the feet—usually in conjunction with topical medications. Derma Health provides Botox injections to treat Hyperhidrosis.
Any of these conditions can impact people of any age—people in their 20s receiving Botox could be seeking treatment for any of the above.
When Should You Start Botox Treatments?
The decision to start Botox (for any reason) is a personal one—you should talk to your aesthetician or medical provider and discuss the following questions:
- What are your goals? – Are you trying to prevent wrinkles or reduce existing lines? Do you have chronic migraines, muscle spasms or excessive sweating? Botox is one of many options for all three of these common conditions.
- Are you financially prepared to commit to Botox? – The effects of Botox wear off anywhere between three to four months after treatment. So, to continue seeing results, you’ll need to commit to multiple injections over time. Derma Health offers a membership program, Reflect Your Best You, which offers our very best pricing on Botox and other services. You can read more about it here.
- What does your other preventative care look like? – Do you apply sunscreen daily, even if you just plan to run to the grocery store or take your dog for a short walk? Do you limit your time in the sun, wear hats and find shade whenever possible? How consistently do you take prescribed and over-the-counter medications or apply topicals? You should do your best to prioritize prevention even if you choose to supplement your efforts with Botox.
Depending on your answers to all of the above questions (and others that you’ll discuss with your aesthetician or medical provider), you may or may not be ready to start Botox, no matter how old you are.
Why Are People in Their 20s Using Botox?
Let’s summarize—why are men and women in their 20s using Botox?
- Botox is preventative, and early research shows promise that early and prolonged treatment can help patients “skip” wrinkle development over time.
- The typical age of Botox patients is changing. As new information comes to light and more young people learn about the benefits of Botox, the more power they have to choose the treatment earlier in life.
- Botox is useful for so much more than aesthetic purposes—young people with common medical conditions like migraines and excessive sweating rely on Botox to meet their wellness goals.
Should you start Botox if you’re in your 20s? Whether you’re interested in the treatment for aesthetic or medical purposes, talk to a medical provider—if you’re eligible, you can start treatment anytime after age 18.
At Derma Health, our experienced aestheticians and medical providers are helping patients just like you—of all ages—love and care for their skin, face and bodies. We’ve been serving the Phoenix area for over 17 years and are the #1 Botox and filler provider in the Southwest.
Interested in learning more about Botox? Complete our New Patient form to request a complimentary consultation. We can’t wait to help you feel and look your best.
Sources:
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Beauty Is Skin Deep; The Self-Perception of Adolescents and Young Women in Construction of Body Image within the Ankole Society. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8345530/
Health Care Analysis. Altered Images: Understanding the Influence of Unrealistic Images and Beauty Aspirations. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6061013/
The University of Nebraska at Omaha. When Beauty is the Beast: The Effects of Beauty Propaganda on Female Consumers. https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1028&context=university_honors_program
Medical News Today. Botox: Cosmetic and Medical Uses. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158647
The American Academy of Ophthalmology. How Does Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Work?. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/how-does-botulinum-toxin-botox-work
The New York Times. Will Getting Botox Now Prevent Future Wrinkles?. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/22/well/live/preventative-botox-wrinkles.html
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Why Are Millenials Getting Botox and Fillers in Their Twenties? https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/why-are-millennials-getting-botox-and-fillers-in-their-twenties
The Aesthetic Society. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank Statistics 2019. https://cdn.theaestheticsociety.org/media/statistics/2019-TheAestheticSocietyStatistics.pdf
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US Food and Drug Administration. Medication Guide – Botox. https://www.fda.gov/media/77359/download
Mayo Clinic. Cervical Dystonia. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-dystonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354123