At 24 years old, Madeline Levis has the type of youthful skin that many people want, and she’s paying a lot of money now to keep it.”I’ve been doing Botox for about a year and a half now,” she said. “Definitely seeing a couple of my friends or just seeing my favorite celebrities or influencers get it, I kind of just wanted to see what that would be like for me.”On social media platforms such as TikTok, there’s plenty of “inspo” and encouragement to try what’s called “preventative Botox.””Botox is a way to get ahead of those signs of aging before they develop,” said Jennifer Canesi, a nurse practioner and founder of Boston Medical Aesthetics, which is located near Faneuil Hall.She said the number of younger people asking for appointments has skyrocketed.”People realize how safe, natural-looking, and effective it is,” Canesi said.Here’s why it works.The medicine in a Botox injection prevents muscles from moving.Used correctly, it can smooth unwanted lines in the face with few side effects.”So those who might start preventative Botox before lines have started to develop, they can maintain smooth, youthful skin for the long term,” Canesi said. “Once lines are deep, it’s harder to soften them.”That’s one reason why Samantha Turek signed up for treatments at age 23.”I go every 4 to 5 months,” she said. “Really, whenever I start to see the fine lines come in.”Each session can cost hundreds of dollars.Some experts say that’s a lot of money to pay for peace of mind.”If you don’t have wrinkles yet, it is too young to get Botox,” said Dr. Abby Waldman, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.She also has her own TikTok account.”I think the biggest thing I see on social media — or when patients come in — is related to this fear of missing out,” Waldman said. “They’ve been told if they don’t get ahead of the problem, they’re going to be behind.”Waldman says that’s not true.A Botox injection freezes muscles and smooth lines just the same, whether you’re 25 or 55.She even gets them herself.”It’s really a waste of money and time if you get Botox before you really need it,” she said.But these 20-somethings say it’s still worth it — and they’re already seeing benefits.”I love it,” Levis said. “Just looking in the mirror, I feel so much more confident.”Even though preventative Botox is a cosmetic procedure, there can be medical side effects, such as headaches, flu-like symptoms, and pain or infection at the injection site.In rare cases, a customer may experience muscle weakness, vision problems, or an allergic reaction.So Waldman says talk with your doctor first — and consider using sunscreen every day as the safest and most cost-effective way to prevent wrinkles later.

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