Beauty and Botox
In the world of beauty, there is no substitute for the workhorse Botox. Experts say the botulinum toxin is almost a household word for women and men who seek a non-invasive treatment that delivers results, quickly. Experts say it’s effective, even in the aging patient. “I think even in the older patient that we are doing cosmetic surgery on, there is a good role for Botox, but that is probably individualized per patient,” says Dr. Snyder.
Snyder says it is important to pay attention to overuse of Botox in mature patients. “Forehead and crows feet may still be important parts, but you may need to be a little more aware of dropping the brow or doing some things that you don’t want to do – but I think that Botox has a role for a lot of those patients.”
Botox in the Younger Population
No matter what your age, too much Botox is never good. Snyder says younger patients should always use Botox cautiously. “There are lots of 20-somethings that are getting Botox and there may be a great role for people who are starting to show wrinkles on their forehead or crows feet around the eyes, or even people that genetically have strong 11’s as we call them, which are wrinkles between the eyes.” Some experts believe that it’s important to develop a regime that involves using Botox around the face as you age. The goal should always be a more natural look that doesn’t look overdone.
Snyder agrees that using Botox in targeted areas may be the best approach in the 20’s and 30’s, before deeper wrinkles have occurred. “The person who has concerns about one thing may not need Botox all over their face, so I do think we can overdo it with too much.”
Experts agree that too much Botox can create a ‘shiny’ and fake look and cause some patients to lose the ability to show emotion or animate the face. “If you can’t move your eyebrows that could be an indicator of too much use, it’s important to be able to use those parts,” says Snyder.
They key with Botox, and it’s often-utilized companion procedure, injectable fillers, is to be conservative with the approach. While Botox and fillers are incredibly powerful and useful, it takes a skilled and deft hand to apply them correctly. Correct application – whether it be to stun muscles causing major wrinkling, or more preventative maitenance for the young – is the difference between that oft-seen “Botox face” and someone who just looks great. Always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to get the best, most natural results possible.