It’s a trend that’s happening among younger people – getting injections at a younger age to prevent wrinkles from forming.
“Which areas do you want to treat today?” Alexandra Rogers asked her patient at LexRx in Charlestown.
As the co-owner of LexRx and a registered nurse, Rogers regularly sees patients looking to erase the signs of aging.
“Okay, you’re going to feel little pinches,” Rogers warned her patient.
The largest demographic practicing botox treatment and the person it is targeting right now is millennials.
“If you start young and you’re really consistent with your treatments, then as the years go by, you can actually end up going further and further between your treatments because the muscles will atrophy over time,” Rogers said.
Amy Gusky started injecting when she was 31 years old.
“I’ve always had lines on my forehead and I recently got divorced and I just wanted to slow down the aging process,” said Gusky, a LexRx customer.
Michaela Forbes started treatment at the age of 26.
“Same as getting your nails done,” said LexRx customer Forbes. “I think so. It’s just a nice aspect of self-care and I love the way it looks.”
“If you want me to stop at any point, just tell me,” Alexa Nicholls Costa, co-owner of LexRx and a nurse, told her client.
“They want to look good,” Nicholls Costa said. “They want to feel good. And this permeates all aspects of their lives. So they physically exercise more. People prioritize their health. And that’s really another element of self-care. And there is nothing wrong with that. I think we really need to embrace this movement, and it’s here for the long haul.”
Alexa says she felt judged for having her first Botox treatment at 23. Now, he believes it has become more mainstream.
“The stigma has definitely gone down,” said Nicholls Costa. “I would say we are at the tip of the iceberg in terms of clients seeking these treatments. There’s still a very curious population that hasn’t dived into this industry yet.”
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons points to a steady increase in people sharing their procedures on social media — which in turn has resulted in an increase in some procedures. Interest in facial injections and fillers has doubled since 2019. Lip fillers were among the top five searches.
“Lasers and injectables and, see a wide range of dermatology patients,” said Dr. Alissa Lamoureux of Skin Dermatology in Shrewsbury.
Dr. Lamoureux says it’s all about “product” versus revitalization.
“So the bias starts the process before you see the signs of aging,” Dr. Lamoureux said. “So try to keep your skin the way it is and prevent fine lines and wrinkles from appearing as opposed to waiting until they’re there and trying to reverse them, which can sometimes be more difficult.”
But he says it can be harder for doctors to pinpoint it – unrealistic filters, dangerous trends and misinformation on social media.
“Teenagers talk about their skin care and all the products they use, and sometimes they do maybe more harm than good,” Dr. Lamoureux said.
Dr. Lamoureux says that while most procedures are regulated by the FDA and are done safely in industry, there is always a risk. And there is the cost. That’s why he recommends doing your research and only licensed health professionals should do the procedures. He urges a consultation to make sure you understand what you are trying to achieve. And the lowest price may not be the best choice.
“There is still a group that does not invest and certainly offers treatments that may lead to poor cosmetic results,” said Nicholls Costa.
But LexRx’s Alexa and Alexandra say that with the right education, the right treatments can be worthwhile even for younger patients.
“People just want to feel good,” Rogers said.
The FDA has approved dermal fillers for adults 22 years of age and older for facial treatments such as wrinkles, augmentation, and rejuvenation. Patients should speak with a dermatologist or licensed physician before undergoing any procedure. You can find licensed providers on the state website or here.
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