Welcome to the Cultural Clinic, MedPage TodayHer collaboration with Northwell Health to offer a healthcare professional’s opinion on the latest viral medical topics.
Cosmetic treatments such as Botox are now increasingly popular with younger patients, especially with more exposure to them on social media. But how young is too young for such treatments?
According data 2023 by market research firm CivicScience, 15% of 18- to 24-year-olds have tried non-invasive cosmetic treatments such as Botox injections, dermal fillers or enzyme peels — the highest percentage of any age group surveyed. An additional 12% of people in this age group said they plan to try it.
Just over 1 in 10 25- to 34-year-olds (11%) said they had tried such treatments, and 14% of people in this age group said they intended to. By comparison, only 5% of people aged 55 and over said they had tried such treatments, and only 3% said they planned to try them.
Raman Madan, MD, a dermatologist at Northwell Health in Glen Cove, New York, said his younger patients often learn about Botox from TikTok, where the information varies in quality.
Some may try to start Botox early, he said, because they see it as a preventative treatment. Thus, patients believe that starting in their early 20s prevents most wrinkles.
“Even by the age of 25, most people have almost no damage,” Madan said MedPage Today. As such, he tries to avoid doing Botox on people 25 and under because “it’s kind of overkill.”
The youngest patient he’s ever given Botox to is 18, which was extreme, he said.
The risks of starting Botox too soon aren’t clear, but Madan noted that “smaller studies have shown that there’s a risk of building up antibodies to proteins that might make you unresponsive to Botox.”
Only a few of his patients have had this happen over the years, Madan said, adding that it’s quite rare and “there’s really no risk to your health if this happens.”
Instead, the most negative effect of starting Botox early is wasted time and money, he said.
Discontinuing Botox does not result in adverse health effects, but the effects eventually wear off without action, Madan said. Essentially, Botox works by “freezing” the muscles that make expressions, preventing wrinkles from forming on the face, he said.
Madan noted that Botox is much less taboo than it once was. Many of his patients are proud to do so, and in some hubs – such as New York, Los Angeles and Miami – Botox is very popular.
Actually, Google Trends confirmed higher interest in online Botox information in these areas compared to states such as Vermont, South Dakota, or Ohio. Being surrounded by others who speak positively about doing the job can encourage others to give it a try.
However, Madan said the use of Botox varies widely, and starting early will not provide an increase in antiaging benefits.
