Is 70 years of age too old for botox?
Introduction
The short answer to the title is, NO, but why? We know that botulinum toxin (a.k.a. Botox) is a great way to reduce wrinkles and lines and to prevent these. But what if you think you are too late to start with? What if you are already 70 years or older and you have wrinkles? Are you REALLY too old to start with? What about the side effects and effects of botox at this age? I’ll take you to the world of botulinum toxin used for the elderly.
Botox is a popular cosmetic treatment that is used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines on the face. It works by blocking certain nerve signals in the facial muscles, which temporarily reduces the appearance of wrinkles. While Botox injections can be effective for reducing wrinkles, there are potential risks and side effects that should be considered before undergoing treatment. This article will discuss what Botox is, its potential risks and side effects, and whether or not it is safe for elderly individuals.
The aging process
Gradually we all lose collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and fats in the face. Besides, our bones are eaten over time! All aspects are important in the stage of aging. We never only lose collagen or hyaluronic acid, while the other skin or bone components are just doing good. It is a whole process being. Did you know that you are actually starting to lose collagen at the age of around 25? As how scary it may sound, it is true. You are aging quit young. The thing is, the process goes slowly (at least, we hope so…) and that is why you see the differences after years and not at the very start of 25 years old.
Losing collagen with the age
If you are approx. 35 years old right now. You have already lost 10-15 procent of the collagen and its production. If you are 70 years old, you have probably lost somewhere in between 55-60% of the collagen you had before.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of Botox Injections for People Over 70?
Botox injections are a popular choice for people over 70 who want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Botox injections can help to reduce the signs of aging, providing a more youthful look. However, there are some risks associated with botox injections in people over 70, including potential adverse reactions and long-term effects. In this article, we will discuss the benefits and risks of botox injections for people over 70 so that you can make an informed decision about whether this treatment is right for you.
Do you know the saying: ”Use it or lose it? Yes, someone might have come up with this saying for the effect of botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin paralyses the muscle and prevents the muscles contracting. Meaning that the muscle will lose its effect temporarily. Not bad, right? Not bad indeed. But if the muscle is paralysed all the time, what shall it do? It will diminish in size. You are not using it? You will lose it. We are somewhere in a parallel universe right now. Because, if you do not treat the wrinkles, they will become deeper and deeper lines. If you are treating it all the time, you will lose it. Life is never fair. After all, it is the purpose of botulinum toxin treatment to reduce the effect of the muscle and so reducing the lines.
Does it matter if you start if you are older? Probably not…because, probably you are already too late to start with. Big chance you have deep static wrinkles which are always visible. It is very hard to remove the lines entirely, but still, you can make them softer. I wouldn’t be very picky if i were you.
When you get older, your physiology changes and so does the construction of your face. The soft and hard tissues, all change. The bones get weaker, and other tissues are more permeable. This can induce the general and more seldom side effects of botulinum toxin. For example, if you are older then 70 and you get treated for your static frown wrinkles, you may have a higher risk of droopy eyelids. Why? Because, the botulinum toxin might go more easily through some gates (pores, canals in the bones, you name it), where they may paralyse some important nerves (temporarily gladly).
Exploring Effective Alternatives to Botox in the Elderly Population
One before the last option i want to mention is: PDO threads. The purpose of these threads are the same with microneedling. The main purpose is to induce collagen production of the skin and with this you can try to prevent or treat superficial wrinkles. Last but not least, NCTF. NCTF is a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, amino-acids (building blocks for proteins) and hyaluronic acid serum. All ingredients together make this cocktail a perfect solution for superficial wrinkles. It smooths out the lines.
Doctor you didn’t mention PRP. Yeah, PRP is the best natural way to treat with. The thing is, it doesn’t work for everybody. Other doctors might have excellent results with, but i have experienced that 50% of the people benefits from this treatment and 50% don’t.
Conclusion
Advising is one of the hardest parts of this job i guess. You might like it or think it is a horrible advise. Nevertheless, i want to share my opinion on this topic. Everything in life needs to be in balance. For example, honey is good for you and honey has some health benefits, but if you eat too much of it, you WILL become fat. This also goes for botulinum toxin. You get it? If you start with botulinum toxin early enough, you will prevent those deep lines, but you need to keep in mind the risks it involves. If you do it too often, your muscles may decrease in size, leaving you with maybe a different mimic eventually. I must confess that i never have seen any older patient than 70 years old with too much botulinum toxin treatment which changed her/his mimics dramastically.
As with everything: keep doing botulinum toxin treatment for the prevention or treatment of deep lines and wrinkles, but do not do it less then 3-4 months apart. Do not freeze your face entirely, but rather decrease some movements to the point where you don’t make the deep lines.
