Legal Age for Botox?

Hi Hannah,
There is not a "legal age" for Botox. Botox is a medication that should be used for the proper indications.
There are very young patients who suffer from cerebral palsy who receive high doses of Botox to relieve their muscle contractions. Patients with either excessively sweaty palms or arm pits receive Botox at young ages. It was alleged that Sharon Stone even had her young son's feet injected to cut down on his sweating and "stinky" feet.
As for cosmetic use, when there's an unwanted wrinkle, or an eye brow that needs to be elevated, then it can be used. But let's face it, in facial cosmetic surgery, "Nothing beats youth." Enjoy your unadulterated G-d given beauty while you are young, the lines and wrinkles will come soon enough. Feel sorry for those in their teens and early twenties who find it necessary to use Botox cosmetic prematurely.
Excuse me but I have a patient that needs some Botox injections.
Be well.
Dr. P

Thank you for your question. Patients are starting to use Botox at younger and younger ages. They can even start in their 20s and typically want to retain the smooth appearance of the forehead/frown region and their crows feet to prevent the lines from appearing in the future. The treatment lasts for several months but in some patients, they can last even 6 months.  Botox is indicated in patients 18 and older.  I have used it in rare occasions in patients who are younger in conjunction with laceration repair or lesion removals to help with healing or in patients with excessive sweating.

The first signs of aging tend to be around the eyes. When you start to see crow's feet with smiling, or frown lines between your eyebrows, that usually means you're a good candidate for BOTOX injections. These signs of aging begin in the late twenties and are more pronounced when there is alot of unprotected sun exposure.
I hope this helps, and best regards.

Dear Hannah
The FDA approval of BOTOX for certain medical indications is for ages 12 and up. The approved age range for BOTOX cosmetic is approved for individuals who are 65 years old or less. However, these are essentially guidelines and the law allows physicians to use the judgment and use BOTOX in ways that are not FDA approved. This type of usage is called off-label and many drugs are used in an off-label fashion with great benefit to the individual receiving treatment.

For cosmetic purposes, the package insert recommends that Botox® “is indicated for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines associated with corrugator and /or procerus muscle activty in adult patients ≤ 65 years of age”. Please keep in mind that physicians may clinically decide to use Botox® in older or younger patients and in other anatomic areas as an as “off label” application if specific informed consent is obtained. For therapeutic and medical applications, the age drops to 12 years.