Botox Q&A
64%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
854 Reviews
Botoxbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Botox Cost: $425

Learn about Botox

3,016 people and 923 doctors are talking about Botox

Get Free Email Updates

Botox at 29 As a Preventative Measure?

asked 1 year ago by kristyab in Alberta
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 2,610 times
Tags: age 25-34, crows feet, female, prevention

I just had a consult with a dermatologist because I am starting to develop some discoloration, fine lines around my eyes and crows feet when I smile. He suggested that I have a peel and a microderm and then come in for botox for my crows feet. He said that botox gets a bad hype and that it won't paralyze my face... and it will actually help my crows feet from getting deeper in the future. And he said he will just use very minimal. Any advice? I attached a pic of my eyes when I am smiling...

25 answers to Botox at 29 As a Preventative Measure?

+1

Should I use Botox at 29?

Hi Kristy. Thanks for sending the picture it helps a lot.   Based on your picture, we definitely feel that you could benefit from Botox.  Not only because you currently have visible crow's feet lines when you smile, but because addressing the issue at an early stage will help prevent the lines from becoming more visible as you get older.
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

+2

Botox as a preventative against wrinkles and crow's feet

Botox absolutely can be used as a preventative. I am able to use fewer units in the sites that don't yet have wrinkles but would be expected to develop them with age.this keeps the cost down. Your lines under the eyelids appear to occur though when you make a big smile rather than by only squinting. If you need to make a big smile to make the lines then Botox won't help those lines enough because you wouldn't want to prevent the smile muscles from working.If however you see lines on the... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+2

Botox works best as a preventive measure

Lines around the eyes are produced by the muscle underneath the skin. Botox relaxes this muscle and thus these lines get smoother or disappear completely. Every year that you have Botox is a year without deepening your crows feet.
Robert Kasten, MD

Mainz Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Botox for Crow's Feet?

Thank you for the question and picture. Yes the use of Botox may be helpful in treating the current peri ocular lines and may help slow their worstening with time.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox as a preventative?

I find nothing wrong with your doctor's suggestions. They seem quite sound to me.
Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Botox for Crow's Feet... Preventative?

First of all, if the lines bother you then I think Botox would be a good alternative. It will help to soften these fine lines and help them from becoming worse. If they don't bother you enough now to do something about it, then hold off for now. In addition start using a good sunscreen that you like to use and other sun-protective measures (like hats and seeking shade). Those things are the best options to prevent other wrinkles from developing in the future.
Andrew Kaufman, MD

Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Wait to do Botox

I disagree with the other professionals.  I don't believe you should do Botox preventively.  Your crows feet are supposed to crease when you smile.  At some point, if the lines stay creased, even when you are relaxed and not smiling, and this bothers you, then you can consider Botox.  Botox works very well once you have the lines and I don't believe you gain much ground by doing it prior to actually needing it.
Lisa Benest, MD

Burbank Dermatologist
+1

Botox, Dysport, Wrinkle Treatment, Beverly Hills Botox Dysport, Los Angeles Botox Dysport

I have been using Botox for over 20 years to treat unwanted lines and wrinkles of the forehead and face.  You do have evidence of Crows Feet now, so the Botox would not technically be preventative but would weaken the muscles causing the Crows Feet.  If you maintain the Botox treatments every 4-6 months those muscles would remain in a weakened state and the Crow's Feet should not worsen. 
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox Cosmetic to prevent crow's feet

Botox Cosmetic works by temporarily relaxing muscles of facial expression.  It is FDA approved to treat the frown lines which form between the eyebrows.  It is also commonly used to treat other areas of the face including the crow's feet that tend to from during squinting.  Many younger patients not only benefit from the elimination of early lines, but there is also a theoretical preventative advantage.  I don't know of any published studies proving... more
Kelly Gallego, MD

Sioux City Plastic Surgeon

www.drgallego.com

+1

Botox helps prevent future wrinkles

I would absolutely recommend that you consider Botox.  Botox has been shown to help delay the development of wrinkles around the eyes and is very effective at doing so!
P. Daniel Ward, MD

Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Crow's feet at 29 treated with Botulinum toxin (Dysport or Botox)

Using Botulinum toxin (Dysport or Botox) at 29 is an option and it is true that you will probably not need a large number of units. However, this is maintenance therapy and you will have to repeat this treatment every 4 months.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Preventive Botox Treatment

Botox works by paralyzing the underlying muscles which decreasing stress in the overlying skin.  By decreasing stress by constant folding of the skin with contraction of the muscle, you are helping to prevent dermal atrophy which leads to static rhytids (wrinkles) in the futures.  So, yes, I agree with your dermatologist that preventive Botox is a good thing.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Botox Cosmetic or Skin Care for Younger Patient for Wrinkle Prevention

Hi kristyab in Alberta, As various plastic surgeons & dermatologist have already stated, your dermatologist has a reasonable plan to improve your skin and help reduce further facial aging. While Botox Cosmetic may be used for younger patients, you may find better results with skin peel or microdermabrasion first. Lastly, the general skin guide below is better than any plastic surgery. Best of luck. - Dr. C sun protection adequate sleep avoid smoking adequate... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox for prevention

I definitely think Botox is excellent for prevention of static lines in the brow and crow's feet.  Conservatively injected, Botox can give subtle and natural improvements without giving you the "ice rink" look. 
Matthew Bridges, MD

Richmond Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox very good at eliminating "crow's feet"

Botox will be very beneficial for eliminating your crow's feet wrinkles. You can expect about 3 months of benefit. Dysport is also available and your facial plastic surgeon might consider using this treatment as well. Sincerely, Dr. Stephen Weber Portland Oregon
Stephen Weber, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox is the best thing since sliced bread

While Botox was initially used to treat existing wrinkles, newer thinking is to use it in smaller doses to prevent getting the wrinkles in the first place.  It works, and often younger people in their 20's may have the procedure only once a year around The Holidays, but it's like getting your teeth cleaned to prevent damage.
Darrick E. Antell, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox as preventative

Botox can be used to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles from muscle activation.  I call these "etched lines." The Botox use can help minimize the apppearance of these etchings which eventaully are permanent.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox great as a preventative strategy

I think it sounds like your doctor's advice is very reasonable. If you start battling the crow's feet now with Botox and stick to it, you can prevent them from getting deeper. That is a pretty big deal when you think about it. Hope that helps. Take care.
Daniel J. Ladd Jr., DO

Austin Dermatologist
+1

I agree 100%

Botox is wonderful in young adults. I have found the duration is much longer than the 4 months that older patients get.  I like the idea of microdermabrasion for skin texture and Botox to relax crows feet. If you are apprehensive, your dermatologist can use just 10 units on each side. It is always easier than to subtract!
Mary Lupo, MD

New Orleans Dermatologist
+1

Botox

 If you are bothered by the fine lines, that sounds like it might be reasonable. Don't forget sun block, sun glasses, hats, etc.
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox at 29

Great question and concern. Also thanks for the photo. I see no issue with your planned treatments. In fact your doctor seems to be right on point. Good luck. 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox will NICELY SMOOTH Crow's Feet Wrinkles in young people

Botox, used properly, will smooth away the Crow's feet wrinkles at the corners of the eyes WITHOUT giving you a fake, artificial or frozen look. It is a great treatment and evidence has shown that used regularly it can largely minimize the appearance of such wrinkles. To understand EVERYTHING about Botox and be a more savvy patient, please read the informative BOTOX page link below. Dr. Peter Aldea
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox as Prevention of Wrinklles?

Absolutely!  The time to start Botox is before you need it.  As your muscles continually contract and "wrinkle" your skin over many years, the lines only seen when the muscles are contracting become lines present at rest.  Thus, if you treat (paralyze) selected muscles before these lines appear (it is normal to have them when you muscles contract), you can slow the "aging" process, at least as it relates to fine lines on your skin.  As you age this... more
Vincent P. Marin, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Prevention versus Correction

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When muscles contract they get shorter. Fibers attach the skin to the muscle but skin can not contract it must fold. As this motion is repeated over years you begin to lose the fat below the area and you get depressions and eventually the formation of lines or wrinkles. Botox paralyzes muscles and decreases the folding of the skin, delaying the formation of depressions and lines. Although... more
Robert W. Kessler, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox for crow's feet

Based on the picture I think Botox is a very reasonable treatment for you to have.  Botox or Dysport are excellent for treatment of lines around the eyes but also are very good at preventing lines from getting worse or developing in the first place.  Those lines will deepen over time as you continue to contract the muscles when smiling or squinting.  There isn't any topical cream or laser or peel that will deliver the same kind of results as either Botox or Dysport for... more
Jason R. Lupton, MD

San Diego Dermatologist

Ask a question