Mala McAlpin Many practitioners are noticing that the median age for those requesting injectables is going down, and a new generation of younger clients wanting ‘preventative injectables’ is developing.
In the race to prevent ageing before it happens, women as young as 18 are turning to injectables to freeze their youth in all its glory before expression lines occur, and as the trend grows, some experts are warning that preventative injections is simply a marketing ploy to get clients in younger, and begin spending money on regular anti-wrinkle solutions sooner.
Indeed, in a recent media interview, Australasian College of Dermatologists’ Dr Adrian Lim admitted “preventative anti-wrinkle injections is a manufactured marketing concept. We see some women aged 18 who are getting Botox, and they are likely throwing away money. There really is no evidence for prevention in women before the age of 30.”
Associate Professor of the Australian Medical Association Saxon Smith agrees, saying “there’s no evidence to support prevention, so it’s really targeting the young and the susceptible.”
President of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr Irene Kushelew, also supports the view that injectables are only really necessary to prevent wrinkles from worsening after they begin to form, and that claiming capacity to prevent them is ‘highly inappropriate’.
“While it (Botulinum toxin) can prevent increases in wrinkle size once they form, it is usually unnecessary when used on patients of a young age before any lines are present,” she says. “It is therefore highly inappropriate to use the term preventative injectables to entice younger clients to receive redundant treatment.”
“The right time to receive Botox varies from person to person and depends on a variety of factors such as sun exposure and genetics. Properly trained practitioners are best able to identify when might be the best time and help individuals make an informed decision, encompassing their full medical history.
Arguably one of the top industry authorities in cosmetic injectables, ACCS is Australia’s only College offering an eighteen-month cosmetic injectable course for medical practitioners.
Some practitioners, however, are saying it all depends on the individual client, the technique and the amount used. Katherine Miller Shannon, who owns and directs Duquessa clinics and has two decades experience as a nurse and midwife under her belt, says “When women in their 20’s and 30’s first consider getting anti-wrinkle injections, prevention is often the primary factor, since the early signs of aging—such as crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, and fine lines—are beginning to show,” she says.
“If you start cosmetic treatments early enough and it’s done correctly (correct dose, product & placement), you’re not going to need as much product in the near future.”
Katherine’s solution for young patients seeking preventative solutions, however, is smaller than usual doses. “In clinic for first timers, under 40 years old or clients seeking natural results we offer our signature Baby Boosters,” she says.
Created by Duquessa, these are smaller than average dosages of injectables designed for first timers, which aim to plump skin and smooth but not freeze lines.
“There are over 2800 studies available on safety, recommendations, treatments & conditions, there’s not much research on preventative measures regarding treatment options in your 20-30s. The majority group in our clinics are 30-65 years of age,” says Katherine.
