The Botox Culture

As more and more people turn to cosmetic procedures to remain young and beautiful, is this simply becoming the way of life?

I remember when Botox started becoming popular as a cosmetic procedure and how it was associated with the wealthy and big Hollywood stars. It was a procedure that seemed drastic in an attempt to remain ageless in an industry that values youth and superficial beauty. Celebrities would do it to ensure that they would still get to have important roles and not be cast aside from the movie industry. For regular people, Botox seemed to be a procedure that made no sense and was not necessary.

The question that now arises is when did we cross that line from seeing Botox as a drastic procedure to having it as part of regular people’s day to day lives?

In a recent article on Vox news*, it was suggested that Botox is now being sold as a regular treatment in salons making it appear to be as simple as getting a hair blow dry. By doing so, more and more people would be willing to try it and include it as part of their beauty regimen. What is scarier is that the main consumers of Botox are females between the ages of 18 to 34, those that are supposedly at the peak of their beauty, and don’t actually need it at all, but do it to avoid any signs of natural aging. Recent patterns have shown that these young ladies carry out these treatments and then come back and bring their mothers to try it out as well. In fact, most dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons have normalized the use of Botox by reinforcing its anti-aging results and promoting the view of everlasting youth.

When did getting older become such an abhorrent part of life where people of all ages try to defy it and stay “forever young”?  This may be the only generation left where there may still be people who choose to age naturally and avoid procedures such as Botox, but I fear that for the younger generation and the ones to come, having Botox will be the natural way of life. I fear that there will no longer be such a thing as natural beauty and the one-size-fits-all approach will be followed.

The concept of beauty has evolved over time and centuries, with different makeup trends and habits, but none have been as drastic as this. Botox contains botulinum, which is a toxin, and while it is administered in small doses, its use over several years is bound to have an impact on the human body. Botulinum toxin is also used to treat medical conditions such as chronic migraines, excessive sweating, bladder, bowel, and muscular disorders among some others. It works by blocking nerve signals, thereby, making the injected area temporarily paralyzed or frozen. Although rare, high concentrations of botulinum toxin can result in botulism, an illness that could cause respiratory failure and death if left untreated. With such potential side effects and risks, why would people volunteer to have this done to their bodies for cosmetic reasons only?

Perhaps one way of preventing the normalization of Botox is to create more awareness on the harmful risks and side effects of this toxin. For example, there was a time where smoking cigarettes was considered to be “cool”, but now we have so much information out there on the dangers of smoking. While not everyone has refrained from smoking, there are still many who shun this act because of the harm it can cause. Similarly, if Botox is offered along with all the risks and side effects it could bring, people may think twice about getting these procedures done.

This shift towards cosmetic procedures being a regular practice isn’t exclusive to females, as more and more men also turn towards these drastic measures. The insecurities around one’s physical appearance and aging are affecting females and males all over the world, and pharmaceutical companies prey on these weaknesses.

Apart from pharmaceuticals, another culprit is once again social media, as it also plays a major part in why this is happening. Platforms such as Instagram, for example, enable people to post images of their best selves regularly and with the rise of the selfies, the insecurities and need to fit in have also skyrocketed. With increasing images of perfectly sculpted faces and the promoted use of procedures like Botox, it is only inevitable that people with any insecurity will follow the same path in order to fit in and feel beautiful.

While there is nothing wrong in wanting to look and feel beautiful, it’s important to remember that beauty runs skin deep. The wrinkles on your face only show the richness of your life and the untold stories of your past. Embrace them and allow them to share the experiences that have shaped who you are today.

References:

*https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/9/12/17850870/
botox-alchemy-43-allergan-spotlyte

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158647.php

https://www.truvitaliti.com/blog/the-botox-craze-for-millennials/