Botox is not just for Baby Boomers – many millennials are scheduling injections of the popular endotoxin as a preventative to aging, according to Fox News.
Botox is a popular brand name of the protein botulinum toxin type A, a product used to reduce wrinkles.
In a recent article, Fox News highlighted the trend of using Botox as a preventative against wrinkles, reporting that young people are using the endotoxin to temporarily freeze facial muscles to prevent wrinkles, lines and creases from ever forming. According to Fox, preventative Botox treatments are growing in popularity especially for individuals under the age of 35.
Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that Botox is the No. 1 cosmetic procedure in the United States, with 7.23 million procedures performed in 2017 (a 2 percent increase from 2016).
While Botox is often thought to be a procedure for middle-aged individuals, statistics show that the number of Botox procedures performed for individuals between age 20 and 30 has increased by 28 percent since 2010.
Why the surge in demand for the under-35 set?
“People want to look good and keep wrinkles at bay as long as possible. So why not start early?” said Dr. Christy Walker.
Walker is a Plano, Texas, dual-board-certified OB-GYN and cosmetic surgeon who performs Botox injections, along with other in-demand anti-aging treatments such as dermal filler injections, Kybella and facial fat transfers.
According to Walker, Botox is not the only anti-aging cosmetic treatment gaining in popularity.
“Botox and other minimally invasive anti-aging cosmetic procedures are increasing in popularity across the board and among all age demographics because many people do not want the downtime associated with surgical procedures,” Walker said.
The demand for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures with reduced recovery times has pushed the development of new techniques, treatments and technology to replace conventional cosmetic surgery.
“The needle has now replaced the knife for many procedures performed on the face and body. Why choose invasive surgery if there is a viable, proven alternative treatment?” Walker said.
One such alternative to surgery is a procedure known as FaceTite. FaceTite is a minimally invasive skin-tightening treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to tighten loose and sagging skin.
“As we age, our skin changes as collagen production slows down. As a result of decreased collagen, the skin loses elasticity, which causes drooping, sagging and wrinkling,” Walker said.
Radiofrequency energy stimulates collagen production, which causes the skin to tighten, which in turns smooths out wrinkles and creases and lifts sagging skin.
“Using radiofrequency energy causes the body to produce more collagen, which pulls the skin tight. This means no large incisions, no scarring and no weeks of recovery,” Walker said.
Before undergoing the FaceTite procedure, patients are numbed with a local or topical anesthetic. Once the area is completely numb, Walker makes a small incision in an inconspicuous area, such as the back of the jaw line by the ear, and inserts a tiny probe.
The radiofrequency energy is directed through this probe. The sub-dermal tissue is heated up by the energy and induces a skin-tightening effect.
Patients will see results immediately after their FaceTite procedure and will continue to see improvements in their skin and face over the next six months to a year.
“Radiofrequency skin-tightening procedures such as FaceTite are ideal for treating loose and sagging skin of the face, neck and jawline. It is an excellent way to resolve deep lines, creases and sagging jowls,” Walker said.
The procedure takes less than an hour. Some patients report experiencing mild swelling after their FaceTite treatment, but swelling typically resolves in a few days.
“Many patients return to their regular routines right after the FaceTite procedure,” Walker said.
For more information about FaceTite and other procedures, contact Walker’s office at 972-696-2963.
Sources:
Fox News. ‘Preventative Botox’ rising trend among millennials. 29 April 2018.
ASPS. Plastic Surgery Statistics 2018.
