Many of my patients have asked when they should start Botox (or Dysport) or fillers. The answer is that it depends. There are numerous factors to consider. The most important is, “How much do your wrinkles or folds bother you?”. Typically, if you are thinking about Botox or facial fillers, your wrinkles are likely a concern.

The next question is one that I would answer which is, “Am I a good candidate for Botox or fillers?”. An important factor to remember is that Botox or Dysport are used for active wrinkles, wrinkles that occur with motion, and is a medication injected into the muscle itself. Filler injection, such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse, on the other hand, are used for wrinkles and folds at rest (passive wrinkles), facial volume depletion of deflation, and are temporary injectable implants injected into the skin.

Some people have quite strong muscles and may develop these active wrinkles in their 20’s while others may not see them until their 30’s. Typically these wrinkles begin between the brows, the forehead, and the crow’s feet around the eyes. I have injected Botox and Dysport in women from their early 20’s to their 70’s. These medications have a preventative effect and can help assure that these active wrinkles that occur in motion do not become one’s seen at rest until much later in life.

Filler injection is typically reserved for patients starting in their 30’s when we begin to develop deep smile lines running from the nose to the corner of the mouth, hollows underneath the eyes, and downturned corners of the mouth. Restylane or Juvederm work well here.

Dr. Funk is a board certified facial plastic surgeon in Houston, Texas who regularly trains physicians and nurses throughout Texas on injectable fillers such as Restylane and Perlane and Dysport.