What Age Should a Man Get Botox®?

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

When it comes to Botox® and other clostridium botulinum toxin neuromodulators, men and women really are different.

For example, due to higher average muscle mass, men usually require higher doses and may need more frequent touch-ups to maintain results. Men may also be more susceptible to certain musculoskeletal issues that Botox can treat, such as excessive sweating. In fact, in general, men favor different Botox treatment areas.

Do these differences extend to the ages of men and women first seeking Botox treatment? Should men get preventative Botox treatment earlier or later than women, or does it not matter one way or the other?

Keep reading to find out.

What Age Should a Man Get Botox?

The answer here depends on your objectives.

When to Start Preventative Botox

If you’re a younger guy who wants to stop fine lines and wrinkles in their tracks, the ideal age to start preventative Botox is somewhere between your mid to late 20s and early 30s.

Sounds early, right? It is, but remember that you’re targeting wrinkles and fine lines that remain undetectable as of yet. See, the hundreds if not thousands of facial expressions you repeat every single day cause muscle contractions that eventually result in noticeable (and permanent) crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead lines, and other visible signs of age. Those lines become more visible as you get into your 30s and begin losing facial collagen and elastin, which in turn reduces your facial volume and plasticity.

By the way, women have the same problem. The recommended age for that first preventative Botox injection is the same for men and women.

When to Start Botox for Visible Lines and Wrinkles

What if you’re not worried about future lines or wrinkles, or it’s already too late to prevent them?

In that case, the ideal time to start Botox is whenever you’re ready to do something about those signs of age. This could happen any time between age 35 and 50, depending on how well you’ve taken care of your skin, your genetics, and other factors.

Just know that you may need to prioritize the really noticeable wrinkles and lines over ones that are just forming. And while Botox side effects affect men of all ages, you’re more likely to be excluded from treatment due to medical concerns and may see more noticeable bruising after treatment if you’re older.

Should You Get Botox Now or Wait?

Another way to ask this question: Is preventative Botox right for a guy your age?

The answer is probably “yes.” But in the end, it comes down to personal preference. If you’re uneasy about adding a new cosmetic procedure to your routine, it’s fine to wait until your cosmetic complaints are more urgent.

Again, these considerations are similar for men and women. Women face more cultural pressure to keep up their appearances, of course, but there’s no physiological difference when it comes to the “starting age” question.

One final word of advice: Whenever you begin Botox treatment, work with a board-certified provider (ideally a plastic surgeon or dermatologist, or someone working directly under their supervision) who is up to date on their botulinum toxin injection training. Botox is generally seen as safe and effective, but it’s not totally risk-free, so it pays to work with an expert.