Question: I am a 66-year-old woman, and I have been using Botox for three years. My doctor recently told me I have to stop getting Botox injections now because I am too old. I have heard of Radiesse being used in patients over 65. Is that true?
Answer: Well, I personally feel that it is rather silly to discontinue the use of Botox simply because you are 66 years old.
The reason that this is recommended is that Botox, in its insert, is approved for patients up to age 65, and it is technically approved for treatment of the area between the eyebrows. Virtually most Botox injectors treat other areas of the face such as the forehead and crow’s feet area, and this would be considered an off-label use of Botox.
Moreover, the original study didn’t bother to treat patients over the age of 65, according to the Miami Herald. Because this demographic wasn’t considered, it is considered off-label use. Treating patients over the age of 65 is extraordinarily common. Personally, I inject patients who are over the age of 65 with Botox and I certainly do not feel that this is any sort of a contraindication for its use.
Other fillers can be costly and are not considered best practices. Radiesse is a calcium-based filler material that has completely and utterly different uses than Botox itself, and, though Radiesse is a wonderfully fine product to be used in the smile lines and the cheek area, it typically is not used in the upper third of the face at all and, in fact, I would highly discourage anyone from having that product placed in the upper third of their face.
Ultimately, I would recommend that you seek out an experienced injector, and I would recommend that you continue your Botox treatments if you has been having success with them.
