Preventative Aging Treatments: How Young is Too Young?

Unless you are addressing a physical feature that affects your quality of life, worrying about cosmetic surgery or anti-aging when you’re younger than 18 is probably unnecessary.

But it might surprise you to learn that the rest of us should pay more attention to our skin, anti-aging treatments, and diets—even in our 20s. Getting a facelift at 25 isn’t the best option, but you should get smart with sunscreen, moisturizers, and careful makeup choices to avoid toxins.

Here are some of the medical options that you should consider if you would like to maintain a youthful appearance as you age:

1. Skin care is the first line of defense in any successful anti-aging routine. A number of things can be done to combat signs of maturing skin at almost any age. Treatments such as photo facial rejuvenation and microdermabrasion are great for addressing sun damage, reducing redness, and improving skin texture.

Our recommendation: Begin a daily skin care routine that addresses your needs and includes plenty of sunscreen and moisture. Use professional treatments to enhance your natural beauty and erase early signs of damage. Avoid toxins and research your current beauty regimen so that you avoid toxic chemicals.

2. Injectable treatments are a great, noninvasive option for addressing wrinkles as they appear. BOTOX Seattle is an excellent solution for targeting the underlying muscle movement and stopping deeper wrinkles from forming in the upper face.. Dermal fillers, such as JUVÉDERM®, add volume and fill lines and wrinkles in the lower face, instantly providing a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Our recommendation: When you start to notice lines and wrinkles that remain when the face is at rest, injectables can be used to smooth out the skin and prolong the need for surgical intervention.

3. Eyelid surgery can do wonders for aging eyes. The delicate skin around the eye tends to show signs of aging more quickly than other areas of the face. By removing sagging or excessive skin around the eyes, a youthful and rested look can be achieved.

Our recommendation: This procedure should be performed when the upper or lower eyelid has begun to droop, which can vary greatly between patients. If you are experiencing excessive puffiness or if your natural eyelid crease is starting to disappear, it may be time to consider eyelid surgery.

4. A mid facelift can be used to treat skin that has started to sag around the lower eyelid, upper cheek, and mouth. A focal point of the face, drooping in this area can contribute to an overall appearance of tiredness or premature aging.

Our recommendation: If you are seeing deep wrinkles that cannot be addressed with other procedures or nonsurgical treatments, a mid facelift may be the best option. This procedure should be considered before skin has lost too much laxity, which can contribute to improved results and leave your face looking rested and natural.

5. Laser skin resurfacing, alone or in conjunction with other procedures, is a great way to combat signs of aging on all areas of the face. This treatment is typically used to tighten and smooth mature skin and lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Our recommendation: We do not encourage younger patients to pursue laser skin resurfacing. It is a great option for more mature skin or for those who show signs of moderate to severe sun damage. If you have undergone a facial procedure, such as a facelift or brow lift, laser skin resurfacing can complement the results and stimulate the production of new skin cells.

The bottom line is that anti-aging is best done as a series of lifestyle tweaks with just the right amount of medical intervention along the way. I would be happy to discuss any of these options with you, fitting in the best of current science with your own personal circumstances.