How old is too old for injectables? This is a question that many men and women ask me. No matter how well you look after your skin, there is likely to come a time when the gradual breakdown of collagen – which starts at 25 – leaves you with some significant volume loss and lines and wrinkles to contend with. But it may be that you don’t see this as an issue that you’d like to improve until you’re in your 60s or even your 70s. But can injectables do anything for you at this stage, or is it simply too late?

No matter how old you are, we all want to look fresh, healthy, and the best version of ourselves. Whilst injectables aren’t going to suddenly take twenty years off your face, they will make a difference, and they will help to improve the existing effects of ageing and slow down future ones, too.

Am I too old for Botox?

While the licensing age limit for Botulinum Toxin is 65, we still use it to treat people who are older than this, but we will assess each patient on a case-by-case basis to determine whether this is an appropriate treatment route for their goals. However, bear in mind that as you age, wrinkles become more set in. This lessens the result that Botox will have, so you’ll need to manage your expectations.

For example, if you’re in your 30s or 40s and you’re concerned about frown lines, there is a good chance that Botox will soften the lines enough that they disappear altogether, and consistent top-up treatments will prevent them from worsening. But if you’re in your 50s or 60s, it’s unlikely that Botox will completely eradicate your frown lines, and we may even need to combine it with other treatments to achieve the best result.

And there’s a lot that we can do with Botox to help you look fresher and rejuvenated – it’s not all about softening wrinkles. It is an excellent treatment for opening up the eyes by a couple of millimetres or treating the neck.

What about fillers?

Fillers are an excellent way to restore volume and add definition to the face at any age, and I often see some of the most impactful results in patients who are a little older. Lost volume can be restored with small amounts of injectable hyaluronic acid filler to gently ‘plump’ out hollowing or eradicate dark circles under the eyes or on the cheeks while defining the lips and the jawline. Or even injected in the temples, one of the areas where our faces really lose underlying fat as we get older.

When it comes to rebuilding volume, we can use filler to make minor but really impactful adjustments. For example, raising the tip of the nose, strengthening a receding chin, or adding definition to the jawline.

But there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. Every patient needs their own bespoke and carefully tailored treatment plan that considers their age, skin condition and personal objectives, and facial structure.

A combination of treatments for optimal results

Dark spots and pigmentation are a big giveaway of age, making people look a lot older than they really are, so we may also combine your injectables with some targeted skin peels to remove the dark, pigmented cells and stimulate a fresher, more even appearance.

As our collagen and elastin levels deplete, our facial fat pads often drop down in the face, leading to nasolabial folds, marionette lines and jowls. Profound RF and Sofwave are two devices that can give a noticeable lift to the face with minimal discomfort and downtime. And skin boosters like Profhilo are excellent for firming up your skin, hydrating the deeper tissues and giving your complexion a glow.

When I look at a patient, I don’t look at their age and then their face. I always look at their face and the quality of their skin first. Your physiological age is far more important to me than your chronological age because we are all so different. And if injectables are the right treatment for you, whatever age you are, we will consider it.

If you’d like to discuss treatments and establish what’s right for you, click here to book a consultation.