If you only can focus on fine lines and wrinkles when you look in the mirror, it may be time to consider certain aesthetic treatments to improve your self-confidence. For wrinkles on the upper face and around the lips, Botox is one of the best treatment options available. But what is the best age to get Botox?



What Is the Best Age to Get Botox?

If you're interested in Botox in Fort Collins, you may be wondering about the best age to get Botox treatments. Truthfully, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, since many people use this treatment earlier and later in life. To decide if it's the right time for you to get Botox, you will need to consider your skin condition and your treatment goals.



Skin Condition

Your skin condition is the biggest factor that will determine the best age to get this neurotoxin injectable. Specifically, a dermatologist will need to determine the type of fine lines and wrinkles you have. Botox and other neurotoxin injectables are designed to address dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by facial movements and expressions. You may also be able to use this treatment to reduce bunny lines, perioral lines, crow's feet, and tense neck bands.



Treatment Goals

Your treatment goals will also influence the best age for your treatment. For example, if you are primarily interested in preventing visible signs of aging, then it's best to use Botox earlier in life. When you use Botox when mild wrinkles begin to develop, you can potentially slow the progression of these wrinkles.



If you are already mature, then your treatment goals may be to relax the appearance of these wrinkles so that other aesthetic treatments will look better and you can look younger. For this reason, many people who are between the ages of 40 and 60 also use Botox for anti-aging purposes.



How Does the Treatment Work?

Neurotoxin injectables such as Botox work by using a purified form of botulinum toxin to disrupt the communication between motor neurons in the brain and facial muscles. When this communication is inhibited, the muscles in the face will relax and lose tension. As a result, dynamic wrinkles will appear less visible because muscles in the face are not causing the skin to push together.



Neurotoxin injectables specifically affect motor neurons, which means sensory neurons that allow you to feel sensations on your face will not be affected. Although many people are concerned about the ability to move or feel their faces after Botox treatments, patients can still make mild facial expressions and feel their faces.



How Should You Prepare?

To prepare for any type of injectable treatment, you will need to temporarily stop using medications that may cause blood thinning, which can include anticoagulants, anti-inflammatories, and blood thinners like aspirin. You should also temporarily discontinue herbal supplements and vitamins that can also cause blood thinning, which can include fish oil and ginkgo.



What Are Your Aftercare Instructions?

After your treatment, the most important rule to follow is to avoid touching or massaging your face for at least one to three days. Massaging your face can potentially disrupt the settling process of the Botox formula, which could cause the formula to spread to other areas of the face. It's also a good idea to avoid hot water and direct sun exposure during the first few days after your treatment.



How Long Does Botox Last?

On average, Botox treatments will usually last for three to four months at a time. Some people may have exceptional results that can last for five to six months before a touch-up treatment is necessary, particularly among younger people.



That said, for very active people, the longevity of your treatment may vary. For example, athletes or those who engage in vigorous exercise will have higher metabolisms that break down the botulinum toxin formula more quickly than those who lead less active lifestyles. If you're an active person, you may simply need to have touch-up treatments more frequently.



What Else Can You Do to Benefit Your Skin?

Along with a neurotoxin injectable to smooth the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, you may also be struggling with other superficial skin concerns. For this reason, it may be a good idea to speak with a dermatologist about skincare product recommendations so that you can address all of your other skin concerns. Your dermatologist may recommend using other aesthetic treatments, as well.



Botox is a treatment that can be used by most people to smooth the appearance of wrinkles on the upper face, around the eyes, and the lips. You can use this treatment at any age, but if you want to prevent visible signs of aging, it's a good idea to use Botox earlier in life. The results of this treatment can last for about three to four months.