THE DANGERS OF BOTOX AT 16

Hannah Burge, 16, has been given Botox injections

Thursday March 4,2010

By Dr Aamer Khan and Lesley Reynolds Khan

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WE read in yesterday's Daily Express that Hannah Burge, 16, has been given Botox injections by her mother in a bid to prevent wrinkles. We find it astonishing that a mother would subject her daughter to this treatment especially when she has bought the jabs online.

The practice of buying Botox - the common term for botulinum toxin type A - over the internet is very dangerous as the dosage and quality of the product cannot be assured.

She could be exposing her daughter to terrible risks because the source of the products was a mystery.

UK NEWS: HUMAN BARBIE MOTHER ALLOWS DAUGHTER, 15, BOTOX JABS

Besides the fact that a 16-year-old doesn't need Botox under any normal circumstances, many surgeons advise against the procedure for those under the age of 30 as wrinkles haven't fully developed. However Botox is a very useful medication and can be used to help a variety of medical conditions for all ages.

We will treat patients over the age of 18 with Botox if they had a significant facial imbalance due to muscular hyperactivity or a nerve palsy causing a lopsided face that was causing physical and psychological problems.

It can be also be used to relieve spasm, twitching of the eyes or crossed eyes.

Botox is good as a preventive wrinkle treatment after the age of 30 but to be used cosmetically for a perfectly normal 16-year-old is more than questionable. What the mother does to herself is her own choice but she should not be treating or influencing a minor.