How Millennials are Helping Botox® Shake Its Stigma

I still remember the first time I heard someone openly admit that they get Botox®. It was the summer of 2006 and I was in between my third and fourth years of Dental School. I was home in Canada for the summer enjoying some time off from University doing all the usual student summer things; eating, sleeping and of course watching TV (these were WAY before the social media scrolling days!).  I flipped the channel one night to CNN and saw on Larry King Live, actress and comedian Kathy Griffin was the guest. After talking a bit about her career and life, Larry steered the conversation to cosmetic procedures –

(Full transcript of the interview here.)

KING: Have you had cosmetic surgery?
GRIFFIN: Oh, yes, absolutely.
KING: What have you had done?
GRIFFIN: Oh, I had a brow lift, which is where they take your eyebrows and put them on a completely different part of your head and you look months younger. And I had, what have I had? I had a — a lower facelift where they only do it to here. I don’t know why. I said stop at the ears.
KING: Have you had Botox®, collagen, all that?
GRIFFIN: Yes, all of that. I’m going to actually die of botulism which will be the first recorded case since the early 1900s.
KING: What are you 83 years old?
GRIFFIN: Yes, I am.
KING: You look (INAUDIBLE).
GRIFFIN: I’m a damn good 83-year-old.
KING: Damn good. We’ll be right back with Kathy Griffin. Don’t go away.

As if cut to commercial break I was stunned. Did this woman just joke to the entire world about her addiction to Botox®? I could not imagine ever in my life being so comfortable with letting people know that I get my face injected with anti-wrinkle treatments and being OK with people laughing about it.

Fast forward 14 years later and I’m now a practicing aesthetic doctor who openly admits to anyone who asks how I stay looking so fresh 2 kids later, with a full time job, whilst approaching my late 30s – “I eat my veggies. I drink my water. I work out, I don’t let people stress me out, and I get Botox®”. 

So what changed? My perception. But it’s not only me. It’s now 2020 and it only takes one scroll through social media using the hashtag Botox® to see millennials posting selfies, tag their dermatologists, share online reviews, and even host anti-wrinkle parties. But why are we all of a sudden so open about our Botox®?

A) It works for many ages

It’s a misconception to think, “Aren’t millennials too young for BOTOX®?” I guess we’re a generation that could be defined as mid to late teens all the way up to the late 30s.

But how young is too young for BOTOX®?

Well, that depends on your doctor, here in the United Kingdom it isn’t licensed for aesthetic use for anyone under the age of 18. Most clinicians, however, will refuse to treat anyone under the age of 21.  But others argue that your chronological age is less important than your skin’s age. Depending on your personal habits (tanning, smoking, diet)  your skin may age much more quicker than the skin of someone who lives a healthier lifestyle. Genetics also plays a part in skin aging. For this reason, many doctors suggest getting antiwrinkle treatment  as soon as you start to see lines and wrinkles that don’t go away when your face is at rest.

B) Celebrities are also open to admitting it (mostly)

While not all celebs are saying they’re going to die of Botulism like Kathy, celebrities love Botox® and millennials love celebrities. Seeing your favourite celeb get Botox® injections demystifies the procedure and makes it all the more appealing.

C) It’s social media friendly

Botox® can smooth away lines and wrinkles, making you look younger and more refreshed. For many millennials, it’s their version of a real-life filter.

D) It helps prevent wrinkles

Although it hasn’t been scientifically proven, many clinicians theoretically believe that Botox® can help prevent future wrinkles, which is a huge draw for millennials. Because Botox® prevents facial muscles from contracting, it stops you from making the facial expressions that cause wrinkles. The result is less pronounced wrinkles over time and a longer-lasting youthful glow.

E) It’s versatile

Botox® isn’t just for face wrinkles! It’s actually been used since the 1970s in the medical setting. Some other ways that Botox® can help are:

• Treatment of excessive sweating
• Lifting of the eyebrows
• Treating a gummy smile
• Help to treat teeth grinding
• Soften a square jawline
• Improve the look of vertical necklines

Blog by Dr Chanpreet Kalsi

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