All the pieces You Must Know

Getting Botox in your 20s was as soon as taboo. Taking {that a} step additional, speaking about getting Botox in your 20s was reserved for hush-hush convos along with your most trusted associates. However now, preventative Botox is a factor and the narrative round getting older is shifting. And whereas many are lowering that change to easily ignoring the pure course of altogether, it’s extra so an embrace of what getting older properly means to you. For me, a couple of months previous my 29th birthday, that appears like exploring the extensive world of magnificence remedies—starting with Botox.

In my expertise, Botox has at all times been a buzzword loaded with which means. Not solely that, however assumptions about an individual’s relationship with themselves. As a result of we handled Botox as a one-and-done answer, prior to now, it was usually administered with a heavy hand—believing that extra was extra. However from observing how the therapy has developed within the magnificence area through the years (and the way my very own conversations with associates have taken on a brand new tone of curiosity and acceptance), I used to be excited to attempt it myself.

Botox in Your 20s: All the pieces You Must Know

For me, the largest hurdle to beginning Botox was a lack of awareness. Once more, as a result of the therapy is extensively mentioned with out expertise or skilled insights, loads of hypothesis and misinformation surrounds it. As such, I nervous that I’d love the outcomes, however must persistently spend exorbitant quantities of cash to keep up the look. I’d heard that after only a month, I’d have to do the method over again. Not ultimate.

Earlier than beginning the tox, I spoke with Theresa Izquierdo, an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner, to be taught every part I may about getting Botox in your 20s. Theresa administers remedies with Pinch, a Chicago-based med spa that brings Botox, filler, chemical peels, and extra to you. Spoiler: I additionally labored with Izquierdo to get my first spherical of Botox—and I’m obsessive about the outcomes. (Scroll on for the earlier than and after.)

Forward, Izquierdo breaks down Botox myths and separates truth from fiction. Learn on for every part it’s essential to know.

Theresa Izquierdo, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, RNC-OB

Theresa Izquierdo is a Chicago-based Superior Follow Registered Nurse with a specialization in Household Follow. Her passions embrace preventative care, well being training, and physiology, with the purpose of making certain her sufferers feel and appear their finest from the within out.

On the Advantages of Doing Botox in Your 20s

Traditionally, Botox has been considered one thing to start out in your 40s or 50s. Botox was extra reactive—one thing that might “repair” the high-quality strains and wrinkles that already appeared. However alongside our wholesome obsession with SPF, we’re starting to know that extra may be carried out after we’re youthful to advertise swish getting older.

After I spoke beforehand to Dr. Alexis Parcells about preventative Botox, the MD underscored this proactive strategy. “As soon as these strains kind, it could take a number of Botox remedies over the course of months or years to enhance or erase, [whereas preventative treatments] inhibit muscle motion earlier than these high-quality strains and creases kind.”

Izquierdo helps this, noting that “those that are proactive with receiving tox earlier than static wrinkles seem will yield higher outcomes.”

What to Search for in a Supplier

So, you wish to begin your Botox journey, however you don’t have any concept the place to start out—or who it’s best to go to to your therapy. Although Botox is FDA-approved for a number of therapy areas and has been extensively studied, practitioners of the therapy can clearly differ. Izquierdo encourages sufferers to search for “honesty, belief, and good communication expertise.” Although your supplier must be the knowledgeable, it’s best to really feel snug asking questions and getting the data you want pre- and post-treatment.

“For those who really feel like your supplier will not be actively listening or doesn’t let you be concerned in your therapy plan,” notes Izquierdo, “it could be time to contemplate a second opinion.” Fortunately, when she administered my therapy, Izquierdo checked all these bins. Not solely did she totally element what could be injected and what I may anticipate by way of sensation and visible outcomes, however she additionally opened the dialog to debate my objectives.

It’s essential to notice too, that your first appointment shouldn’t be the one time you join along with your practitioner. As a result of the consequences will manifest over time, they need to examine in with you to see the way you’re feeling and when you’re proud of the outcomes. It is best to really feel like an lively participant in your Botox therapy and empowered to talk up.

Easy methods to Preserve Outcomes Submit-Therapy

It’s a given: all of us need the outcomes of our magnificence remedies to final so long as attainable. By aligning your skincare routine and way of life habits, you possibly can reap the advantages of Botox for longer. Izquierdo notes that the primary 24 hours post-treatment are key. Keep away from extreme alcohol, sweating, or ache relievers (besides Tylenol). Hold your pores and skin clear and dry, and don’t apply make-up till the subsequent day.

As for skincare, you possibly can preserve your routine the identical, overlaying the fundamentals of a cleanser, focused serum, moisturizer, and—Izquierdo can’t stress this sufficient—sunscreen “each single day,” making certain you’re making use of not less than SPF 30. Alongside that, she advises avoiding direct daylight as you possibly can, retaining your face moisturized, and ingesting 8+ glasses of water day by day. And naturally, minimizing alcohol use and avoiding smoking.

Botox in My 20s: My Sincere Evaluation

I’ll admit, once I first determined I wished to get Botox, I hadn’t particularly mirrored on the place. In researching widespread therapy areas, I made a decision to concentrate on jawline slimming. Which, in flip, focused my TMJ. In talking with Izquierdo earlier than my therapy, we determined to do 5 models on both sides of my jaw. (Be aware: I’ve typically referred to the injected toxin as “Botox” all through this text, however Izquierdo used Xeomin, an alternate sensible toxin.)

Botox for Jawline Slimming

Tox can be utilized as an efficient therapy for jawline slimming because it targets the masseter muscle tissues towards the again of the jaw. By doing so, it reduces the muscle tissues, leading to a sleeker and extra outlined look. (“Snatched,” if you’ll.) I started to note the distinction simply 4 days after therapy. The images above have been taken three weeks aside, and you may see that my jawline is noticeably extra contoured, supporting additional definition in my cheekbones as properly. And the click jaw that my TMJ elicited? Completely gone.

Outcomes and Value

Outcomes are mentioned to final anyplace from 3-6 months, however the excellent news about getting Botox in your 20s is that the consequences are usually longer, letting you spend extra time between remedies. As for value, I paid $12 per unit, although I additionally took benefit of a brand new consumer particular. (Remember to ask about these in the event that they’re not marketed—loads of med spas and practitioners will supply them!) The common value per unit ranges from $10-$18, and the quantity of models you want will differ on the therapy. Be aware that the majority require 30-40 models.

Ultimate Ideas

Am I completely happy I’ve began getting Botox in my 20s? Sure. Did it value some huge cash? Additionally, sure. However given the outcomes, it’s a magnificence therapy I’m able to proceed investing in 2-Three instances per yr. Nevertheless, I wish to underline that it’s not a blanket answer for pores and skin or getting older woes. Botox is a therapy that have to be carried out together with a strong skincare routine and wholesome way of life habits.

What’s extra, it’s essential to mirror upon your relationship to each getting older and exterior magnificence earlier than present process remedies of any sort. Ask your self: am I doing this to erase components of myself I really feel self-conscious about, or am I seeking to amplify my options? Embrace Botox as one thing you do out of self-love and self-care. As a result of while you concentrate on nurturing that inner dialogue you’ve got with your self, you’ll be capable of amplify the optimistic results all of the extra.