Preventative anti-wrinkle treatment in your twenties and thirties

More people in their twenties and thirties are asking about anti-wrinkle treatment before deep lines have formed. This is often called preventative treatment. It is a topic that deserves an honest, balanced look rather than hype.

What preventative treatment means

Lines on the upper face form mostly because of repeated muscle movement. When you are young, the lines only show when you move. Over the years, as skin loses collagen and elasticity, some of those lines can start to stay visible at rest.

The idea behind preventative treatment is to soften strong muscle movement early on. With less repeated folding, the skin may be less likely to develop deep lines that stay put.

It usually involves lower doses than you might need later. The aim is to soften movement rather than stop it.

Who might consider it

Preventative treatment is not for everyone. It may be worth discussing if:

• You can see faint lines at rest that were not there a few years ago
• You have a very expressive face or a habit of frowning
• Strong lines run in your family
• You notice lines in photos or under bright light

If your skin is smooth at rest and your lines only appear when you move, you may simply not need treatment yet. A good practitioner will tell you so.

The honest picture

There is no need to start treatment at a set age. Faces age differently. Genetics, sun exposure, smoking and skincare habits all have a big effect.

It is also worth knowing that anti-wrinkle treatment is temporary. Results usually last around three to four months for most people. Any preventative benefit relies on ongoing treatment over time. That is a decision to make carefully and without pressure.

Like any medical treatment, it carries possible side effects. These include bruising, headaches and, less commonly, a temporary droop of the brow or eyelid. Results vary from person to person.

Simple habits that help at any age

Some of the most effective ways to protect your skin cost very little:

• Wear a broad-spectrum SPF every day, all year round
• Wear sunglasses to reduce squinting
• Do not smoke
• Keep your skin moisturised
• Get your eyes tested if you find yourself squinting at screens

Some people in this age group are more interested in skin quality than lines. In that case, treatments that improve hydration and glow, such as skin boosters, may be a better fit.

A natural, subtle approach

In your twenties and thirties the goal should be to look fresh and like yourself. Light treatment that keeps natural expression tends to suit younger faces best. Overdoing it can look heavy and out of place.

Your consultation is a chance to talk openly about what you see in the mirror and what you would like to achieve. Sometimes the best advice is to wait.

Anti-wrinkle injections are a prescription-only medicine. Whether they are right for you is always decided at a face-to-face consultation with a prescriber, who will look at your medical history and your face before anything is agreed.

If you are curious about whether preventative treatment makes sense for you, Lucy offers a free 15-minute consultation in Addlestone. It is a relaxed chat with honest advice.