For many clients, Botox is an injectable that is associated with aging skin, wrinkles, and crow's feet. It is often seen as a treatment for those who are older and already suffering from fine lines and other signs of aging skin. There are, however, a number of people seeking Botox in their 20s in order to prevent the formation of wrinkles. In 2014, out of the 6.7 million Botox procedures that were performed, about 100,000 of those procedures were for people between the ages of 20 and 29. In 2015, 64 percent of plastic surgeons saw an increase in patients under the age of 30 requesting procedures like Botox. Furthermore, members of American Academy of Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. believe that "the biggest trend for the future of facial plastic surgery is more emphasis on early maintenance starting in the twenties..."1 Preventative Botox started as a response to one of the causes of facial lines: repeated facial muscle contractions. Because injectables like Botox temporarily reduce muscle activity, the belief is that this limitation will prevent wrinkles from forming. There are some skin care professionals, however, that are questioning whether preventative Botox is effective and which clients are the best candidates for the injectables. Preventative injectables are the most effective for clients that see lines and wrinkles when their face is relaxed. Patricia Wexler, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist, stated to Celia Ellenberg, of VOGUE, "[Preventative Botox] can certainly stop the clock and the frequency and dose will be lower if you begin using it when you begin seeing evidence of damage."2 She does state, however, that not everyone is an ideal candidate for the injection: "If you don't see any lines when your face is at rest, then doing Botox is not preventative. It's presumptive."2 Younger clients, however, are best served by a strong and consistent homecare routine that addresses their current issues, such as acne. Their best bet for staving off wrinkles and premature aging is to use products with regenerative ingredients – like vitamin C, peptides, and retinol – and wear sunscreen on a daily basis. References1 American Academy of Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. (2016, January 14). New 2015 Stats: Face of Plastic Surgery Goes Younger Due to Growing Social Media and Reality TV Influence on Millennials. Retrieved from aafprs.org/media/stats_polls/m_stats.html2 Ellenberg, C. (2014, May 15). How Soon Is Too Soon for Preventative Botox? VOGUE. Retrieved from vogue.comWant to read more? Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.