September 23rd 2023.
I had been wondering for a while if it was time for me to join the younger generations getting Botox treatments. At 29, I'm on the young side to be considering it. However, I'm not alone in my curiosity. In 2022, members of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine reported 315,000 individual procedures of botulinum toxin injections, with 8% of the patients being between the ages of 18 and 24.
I decided to reach out to the experts at Tweak East, a London aesthetic clinic, to get some insight. Co-founder Anika Soczywko told me that while most of their clients are over 30, they have had clients as young as 24. However, they usually turn people away if they are under 25, as their skin is still plump from collagen cells being active. Anika added that it is quite rare for them to have to turn anyone away, with most of their clients being at least 27.
Emily Ruse was 20 when she first got anti-wrinkle injections. At the time, she worked at Illuminate Skin Clinic, which allowed her to get treatments at a lower cost. She admits that she loved the results, but eventually gave them up to focus on other long-term anti-ageing products such as microneedling, HydraFacials, and SPF. Now 25, she plans to focus on those treatments for the next five years, then reassess at 30.
Similarly, Georgia Eather started getting injections in her forehead two years ago at the age of 27. She spends £195 a session once or twice a year at The Aesthetics Club in Notting Hill, and is happy with the results.
Anika informed me that while 30 tends to be a milestone age for people wanting to take more action surrounding their self-image, it is important to be careful with the amount of product used. People can build up a resistance, or the muscles in the face can begin to waste away if the practitioner is not careful.
After hearing all this, I'm feeling a bit more confident about making a decision. While it's natural to want to look your best, it's important to take into consideration the risks and potential consequences. I'm happy to know that I'm not alone in being curious about Botox at this age.
I was a little apprehensive about getting Botox. After all, I was only 29 and traditionally the procedure has been associated with those of a more mature age. Yet, the number of younger people getting Botox has been increasing in recent years, from famous faces like Love Island alums and Ariana Grande, to the thousands of under 25s who had treatments in 2022.
Despite the government banning Botox for under 18s, it is still becoming ever more popular. This is something I was very aware of, and it led me to consider if I too was ready for the needle.
When I visited London aesthetic clinic Tweak East, I was told by co-founder Anika Soczywko that while they usually turn people away if they are under 25, they do make exceptions. She explained that this is due to every client having a different story, with different reasons, which could lead to the early onset of fine lines.
I was also introduced to Emily Ruse, who got anti-wrinkle injections at the age of 20. She told me that she loved the effects of Botox, as it provides instant gratification with only one treatment. Emily continued having the injections until she was 23, but eventually gave them up to focus on other long-term anti-ageing products such as microneedling and SPF.
I also spoke with 25-year-old Georgia Eather, who first started getting injections in her forehead two years ago. She explained that she gets Botox once or twice a year and is really happy with the results.
Although Anika reassured me that it was okay to start taking more action surrounding my self-image at the age of 30, she warned me that there are dangers of the muscles in the face beginning to waste away if you are not careful.
It was reassuring to hear the opinions of others and to know that I'm not alone in considering Botox at this age. Everyone I spoke to had their own reasons for getting the treatment, but all agreed that it was important to be aware of the risks and to take a cautious approach. As for me, I think I'm going to wait just a little longer before taking the plunge.
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