The question comes up constantly: when should I start anti-wrinkle injections? And if I’ve already got lines, is it too late to bother?
There’s no universal “right age” to start. What matters far more is understanding what you’re trying to achieve and whether injections are the right tool for the job. Let’s walk through the factors that actually matter, what to expect at different life stages, and how to make sure you’re being realistic about results.
There’s no right age
Forget the idea that everyone should start at 30 or that 50 is somehow too late. Age is just one piece of the puzzle. Here’s what actually determines whether anti-wrinkle injections make sense for you.
Your wrinkle type
Dynamic wrinkles appear when you move your face: frowning, squinting, raising your eyebrows. These are caused by muscle activity, and anti-wrinkle injections work brilliantly on them because they relax the muscles responsible. Static wrinkles, on the other hand, are visible even when your face is at rest. They’re caused by years of repeated movement combined with skin changes like collagen loss and sun damage. Injections can soften static wrinkles, but they won’t erase them completely. Understanding the difference helps you set realistic expectations.
Facial anatomy
Some people have naturally strong facial muscles that create deep lines early on. Others have weaker muscle activity and might not develop noticeable wrinkles until later in life. Your anatomy matters. If you’re someone who furrows their brow constantly or squints in bright light, you might see lines in your 20s. That doesn’t mean you’re ageing badly, it just means your muscles are doing their job. Injections work by temporarily weakening those muscles, so if your wrinkles are muscle-driven, they’re a good fit.
Skin quality
How well your skin bounces back after movement depends on collagen, elasticity, and overall skin health. Someone in their 40s with excellent skincare habits and sun protection might have better skin quality than someone in their 30s who’s spent years smoking or sunbathing. Lifestyle factors like smoking, UV exposure, and even stress all accelerate skin ageing. If your skin quality is poor, injections alone won’t give you the results you’re hoping for. You might need to combine them with treatments that improve skin texture, like retinoids or laser therapy.
Realistic goals by decade
Here’s what anti-wrinkle injections can realistically achieve at different ages, and why your goals should shift as you get older.
20s: prevention and subtlety
In your 20s, you’re unlikely to have static wrinkles unless you’ve got very strong facial muscles or significant sun damage. The case for starting this early is purely preventative: by relaxing muscles before deep lines form, you reduce the cumulative damage that leads to static wrinkles later. This is sometimes called “prejuvenation.” It’s not necessary for everyone, but if you’ve got a strong frown line or forehead creases that bother you, small doses of anti-wrinkle injections can soften them without freezing your face. The key is subtlety. Overdoing it in your 20s can look unnatural and rob your face of expression.
30s: early line softening
This is the decade when most people start noticing lines that linger a bit longer after they’ve stopped frowning or squinting. You’re in the sweet spot for anti-wrinkle injections. At this stage, the goal is to soften early lines and prevent them from becoming deeper, static wrinkles. Treatments tend to be straightforward, and results are often excellent because your skin still has decent elasticity. You’re not trying to turn back the clock dramatically, you’re just pressing pause on the visible signs of muscle movement.
40s: keeping natural movement
By your 40s, you’re likely dealing with a mix of dynamic and static wrinkles. Injections will still work well on dynamic lines, smoothing them when you move your face. But static lines, the ones that don’t disappear when you’re at rest, won’t vanish completely. The goal here is balance. You want to soften lines without losing natural movement or looking frozen. Some people also start combining anti-wrinkle injections with other treatments, like skin resurfacing or dermal fillers, to address volume loss or skin texture. It’s less about prevention now and more about maintenance and refinement.
50s+: expectation-setting
In your 50s and beyond, anti-wrinkle injections absolutely still work, but they’re part of a broader strategy rather than a standalone solution. Static wrinkles are more prominent, skin laxity becomes a factor, and volume loss changes the shape of your face. Injections will soften movement-related lines, but you’ll likely see better overall results if you combine them with treatments that address skin quality, volume, or sagging. Think of it as a toolkit approach: injections handle muscle movement, fillers restore volume, and skin treatments improve texture and tone. Starting injections for the first time in your 50s is fine, but go in with realistic expectations and a willingness to explore complementary treatments if needed.
Is it too late if you already have wrinkles?
No, it’s not too late, but it’s important to understand what injections can and can’t do for established wrinkles.
What injections can improve
If your wrinkles are primarily dynamic, meaning they appear or deepen with facial movement, anti-wrinkle injections will help. They’ll reduce the muscle activity that creates those lines, which softens their appearance. Even static wrinkles, the ones visible at rest, can improve to some degree because relaxing the underlying muscle gives the skin a chance to recover slightly. You won’t get the dramatic results someone in their 20s or 30s might see, but you’ll notice a difference.
When you may need add-ons
If your wrinkles are deep and etched into the skin, or if you’ve got significant skin damage from sun exposure or smoking, injections alone won’t be enough. You might need to combine them with treatments that resurface the skin, like chemical peels, microneedling, or laser therapy. These improve texture and encourage collagen production. Dermal fillers are another option if volume loss is contributing to the appearance of wrinkles, particularly around the cheeks, temples, or lips. A good injector will be honest with you about whether injections alone will meet your goals or if you’d benefit from a combination approach.
Consultation checklist
Before you book, make sure you’re setting yourself up for a good experience and realistic outcomes.
Your preferences
Bring photos of yourself at rest and while making expressions. This helps your injector see how your face moves and where the problem areas are. Be clear about your goals. Do you want to soften lines but keep natural movement? Or are you after a smoother, more polished look? There’s no wrong answer, but your injector needs to know what you’re aiming for. Discuss what “natural” means to you, because it’s subjective. Some people want to look refreshed with minimal change, others want a more noticeable difference.
Ask about the injector’s experience, particularly with your age group and skin type. Check what product they use and whether they have hyaluronidase on hand in case something goes wrong. Make sure they’re a qualified healthcare professional, ideally a doctor, dentist, or nurse prescriber. And finally, clarify what’s included in the price: is there a review appointment, and what happens if you’re not happy with the results? A good clinic will offer a two-week follow-up and be willing to make small adjustments if needed.
