Injectables are a very popular treatment option in Australia as both men and women turn to medical options such as Botox to rejuvenate their appearance and maintain a youthful look.
As recently as 2017, Australians spent around $350-million dollars on Botox procedures. This number is according to the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS). However, a cosmetic physician based in Sydney claims that many people start the process of taking injections at an age much younger than necessary to rejuvenate their appearance.
Dr. Phoebe Jones says that 27 is the ideal age to start having Botox treatments. She also stated that many patients decide to undergo the treatment in their early 20s.
In an interview with an Australian newspaper, Dr. Jones said that patients are “too flippant and don’t think things or do their research before getting it done. A lot of generation-Y patients don’t always have the money for it and often chase deals that result in unsafe and bad procedures.”
The doctor did admit that the treatment won’t do any harm to a person at an early age if it is performed by a licensed physician. One the other hand, the procedure is completely unnecessary, as well as a waste of time and money, if the patient already has a good amount of skin volume and thickness.
According to Dr. Jones, “The dermis (thick layer of skin where collegian sits) for Caucasian women doesn’t start loosening until usually between the ages of 27 and 30. That’s when they should start if they really want to get in early to prevent lines at rest from setting in and becoming permanent. For Asian women it is a bit later compared to Caucasian women as their dermis is much thicker.”
According to Dr. Jones, the majority of her patients are women and they account for about 90\\% of her patients. She did say that the number of men visiting her for Botox continues to increase and the age of the men she treats is in the range of 33-65 years of age.
In the same interview with Dr. Jones, the president of the ACCS, Dr. Irene Kushelew, took the time to warn patients about some of the risks involved in visiting an untrained physician. Dr. Kushelew said that there “is a major misconception in Australia and around the world that Botox and dermal fillers are beauty treatments, in the same category as facials. This has been heightened by the number of practitioners offering these services in casual settings like shopping malls, at the hairdressers, and even at informal ‘Botox parties’. Before receiving any type of cosmetic injectable, you must have a medical consultation with a doctor so they can consider your medical history.”
Patients need to do proper research and make sure their doctor of choice is experienced in providing Botox to patients and that they take proper measures to ensure their safety. The skill and training of doctors that perform Botox treatments varies per person so patients should ask to see “before and after photos” of actual patients to get a better idea of the results they can expect from the doctor.
Dr. Kushelew said “The public needs protection from untrained, inexperienced, ‘occasional’ practitioners offering cosmetic procedures who do not understand the high-risk areas of the face. Many practitioners undergo a one or two day training course only for cosmetic injectables — this is simply not adequate. Blindness can occur when an artery is blocked by the dermal filler when injected in the wrong place and in the wrong way.”
Dr. Jones feels that Instagram has played a big role in the increasing popularity of Botox. Patients that have the treatment often feel more self-confidence and more empowered about their appearance. Some patients are afraid to take the first step and have the procedure until they have friends that undergo the treatment. Once they see the revitalized appearance achieved by their friends, they are more likely to have Botox injections.
Dr. Jones said that Botox is most effective on the upper face in order to address issues such as Crow’s feet and frown lines. Botox can be used on the lower face as well as in the armpits to help stop cases of excessive sweating in some patients.
In general, the results last from 3-6 months before a follow-up treatment is needed to maintain the results.
MA
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