CULTURE
The Clocks And Botox: When Is The Right Time For Facial Alterations?
By: Alessandra Zurini Edited by: Lauren Sorabella
Let's talk about the B word: Botox. For years, women have gotten Botox injections and other body modifications to combat the signs of aging. Aging is a tricky issue to combat because it’s constant, and, to some, its consequences feel inevitable. This leads one to wonder: how early is too early to start facial alterations?
Preventative Botox has been a popular topic of discussion for many young women in a social media-driven generation. Rather than seeking information from professionals, adolescents are frequently consuming toxic advice from influencers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Influencers who speak on their personal experience with Botox or other body enhancements may seem knowledgeable, but a professional plastic surgeon who has been in the industry for years with strong qualifications certainly has a better grasp on an individuals’ needs.
Although there is evidence that preventative Botox slows the visibility of aging, there are misconceptions about its effectiveness in fully preventing wrinkles from forming. Dr. Shereene Idriss, the founder of Idriss Dermatology clarifies this in a New York Times article: “You do it to slow down the aging process, not to stop it.” Preventative Botox is used to treat wrinkles before they become visible. As a patient continues these treatments, they will need less and less Botox to achieve the look they desire. This decrease in the number of treatments occurs because the Botox blocks neurotransmitters, allowing muscles to relax. However, it is possible that a patient relaxes their facial muscles too much, which causes the reverse effect of new wrinkle patterns forming. “If one stops using their forehead muscles, they may start squinting using their nose and have wrinkles along the side of their nose,” explains Dr. Patricia Wexeler. The best candidate for preventive injections, according to cosmetics expert Dr. Jennider Owens, is an individual who has a familial history of larger visible wrinkles. Experts also advise that a diligent skincare routine can work in harmony with injections, especially for those who know their family line is predisposed to wrinkles.
Samantha Gatewood, a full-time Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner at Biân in Chicago, has seen the impact of Gen-Z’s obsession with slowing, or even stopping, the aging process. “Using neuromodulators at such a young age is taking away the natural look and the individual being comfortable with their own individuality and their own anatomy.” Gatewood has been in the industry for 11 years and has seen multiple patients develop body dysmorphia due to the rise in popularity of body modifications. Rather than endorse these modifications, Gatewood recommends a good skincare regimen for younger patients experiencing deep wrinkles. “If at 21 you have severely etched-in wrinkles, then I would start you on a low dose, but I don’t think it's appropriate for someone so young to not be able to move their face. We want that muscle to still build because once you start that atrophying process it’s difficult to stop.”
Despite professional objections, many young people stand by their choice to pursue body modification treatments. Syracuse University student and makeup artist Angelique Rosario has had a positive experience with filler. “I would only recommend it to people that are getting it to enhance their features, not dramatize them because it's easy to get hooked and keep going back for more; you can lose yourself in aesthetics.” Rosario’s motive was to correct asymmetry in her lips. “My top lip had a side slightly higher than the other and I wanted to alter that just as a personal preference. It wasn't an insecurity but I wanted to do it.”
Rosario also acknowledges the cost of Botox can be daunting, which highlights another factor to consider: class implications. Botox is far from affordable for the general population and individuals in lower income brackets have financial barriers to indulge in these enhancements. The cost of injections varies by facial location of the treatment, surgeon, and per unit used. Some areas, like the forehead, can cost between $300-$600 per session. Additionally, Botox is not a one-time fix; maintenance treatments are required to sustain results. Each subset of injectables has a different expiration date to track. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Botox can usually last for three to four months, depending on the kind. Some neurotoxin injections like Xeomin will last for two to three months, while others like Daxxify can stretch for five to six months.
Deciding to get facial alterations is a personal endeavor with no right or wrong answer. However, it’s important to do research to find what’s right for you. Finding a reputable plastic surgeon or esthetician can make a big difference in the outcome of the procedure. The cost is another aspect to consider because Botox and other similar injections are not a permanent solution. The cosmetic plastic surgery industry as a whole is not affordable, and access is limited for most of the population. Promoting preventive Botox to younger generations can be harmful and leave irreversible damage on their body image, and therefore education surrounding facial alterations is increasingly necessary. It’s crucial to recognize when you are changing your appearance for society rather than yourself, because trying to attain the beauty standard is like trying to win a race where the finish line keeps moving.
