How Safe is Botox®?
The FDA approved Botox® for medical use in 1989 and cosmetic use in 2002. After twenty years, Botox® remains one of the safest and most popular anti-aging products on the market. Besides lines and wrinkles, doctors use Botox® to treat excess sweating, overactive bladder, muscle spasms, and problems with the eye muscles. The well-established safety of Botox® makes it popular for medical and cosmetic uses.
Although the key element of Botox® is called botulinum toxin, this product causes no permanent changes to your muscles or nerves. Botox® stops the nerve from sending out a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. When the effects wear off, your nerve can resume sending signals, and the muscle will respond as it did before. In the localized doses used for cosmetic purposes, chances of side effects are rare, usually mild and temporary.
How Old Should You Be to Get Botox®?
If you already have deep lines and wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, and forehead, Botox® can make a dramatic difference in making them smoother and softer. However, many people now choose to start Botox® in their 30s or even their 20s. These men and women may not have enough lines and wrinkles for Botox® to make a noticeable difference. Because Botox® stops muscles from contracting, starting Botox® early can prevent lines and wrinkles from forming.
There is no “correct age” to start getting Botox®, so discuss this personal choice during your consultation. Some people begin asking their friends about Botox® and are surprised to learn they have been getting it for years. No one needs to know you have started getting Botox® unless you want them to.
