Neutoxins are a go-to anti-aging treatment for people in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. However, as we age and our faces change, potentially altering the way neurotoxins work when injected, so it becomes increasingly important to work with a knowledgeable, certified doctor. “Neurotoxins in the 60s and beyond require a far more precise, medically nuanced approach,” says New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD.
That’s not meant to scare you away from making a neurotoxin appointment in your 60s, but rather to encourage you to seek out a qualified board-certified dermatologist who understands the nuances of using neuromodulators on mature skin. “When done with understanding, the result is not a frozen mask but a gentle rebalancing that restores beauty and elegance to the face. It’s a treatment that balances and refines rather than just focuses on lines,” says Dr. Russak. “It’s not about freezing; it’s about harmonizing with surgical-level precision.” To help guide you, we asked dermatologists to share the important things they want patients to know before getting neurotoxins after 60.
Featured experts
- Julie Russak, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Tina Alster, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, D.C.
- Jody Levine, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
Don’t overdo it
“It’s important to not overdo neurotoxins after the age of 60 in order to achieve a natural cosmetic outcome,” says Washington, D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD. “If neurotoxins are overused, the brow can drop and cause the eyelids to feel heavy (giving a sleepy appearance).” She notes that “Some muscle movement should be preserved to avoid a ‘mask-like’ appearance.”
It’s important to prioritize function
Dr. Russak notes that at 60, a neurotoxin treatment has to prioritize functionality just as much as aesthetics. “The muscles of the face are not only responsible for lines but also for maintaining structural balance, especially in the brows, eyes and lower face,” says Dr. Russak. She recommends “preserving selective movement in the upper face to prevent heaviness while relaxing the depressor muscles that contribute to downward pull at the mouth and jawline.”
Be careful with the forehead
“The one area to be careful with, above 60, is the forehead,” says New York dermatologist Jody Levine, MD. “As we age, we rely on the muscles of the forehead to lift the brows more and more. Proper neurotoxin after 60 involves very thoughtful injections to the forehead, if at all.”
Try neurotoxins in new, dermatologist-recommended areas
Don’t be afraid to try neurotoxins in a new area—as long as it’s dermatologist-approved. Talk with your dermatologist to see if there are any areas they recommend you try neurotoxins. For example, Dr. Levine says her favorite way to use neurotoxins on patients over 60 is the Nefertiti lift. “I am able to get a really beautiful, natural lift to the lower face with neurotoxin that helps to define the jawline and really improve the appearance of the lower face,” says Dr. Levine. “Combined with toxin to the neck—it’s a fan favorite.”
