Like Jordan, more and more young women—even without wrinkles—are allocating portions of their budgets to retain their youth. A phenomenon usually associated with the Kardashian capital of California, social media and the pursuit of the perfect selfie.
Botox treatments for those 19 to 34 years old skyrocketed by 41% in only 4 years, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The use of Botox tends to rise and fall with the economy.
Young women understand that fillers and freezers will keep them in the fountain of youth longer and therefore delay the need for more invasive procedures ahead. But is it preventive? Botox is the brand name of the drug botulinum toxin, which, in its purest form, works by paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. As a result, it prevents the appearance of wrinkles.
Bailey, a clinical assistant and aesthetician, says cosmetic procedures have helped her feel more confident—and she is all the more radiant for it. She has injected filler into her lips and under her eyes and jawline, and has had liposuction under her chin. “It’s addicting when you see the results right away and love it,” she said. However, she adds, “It’s a slippery slope, but I think most people want to look natural and not overdone.”
As millennials scrutinize themselves endlessly in selfies, the stigma of cosmetic enhancements falls away. For others, it’s more about concealing the effects of 50-hour work weeks and not enough sleep.
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Is 18 Too Young?
How young is too young? There are no U.S. laws preventing teens from indulging in Botox or fillers, but parental consent is required for patients younger than 18.
Doctors report having 18 year-old patients in their offices, which they say it’s typically driven by their mothers, who want their daughters to look good in a preventive sense. There is a consensus that women are paying more attention to their skin at a younger age.
Young Men Are Getting “Brotox”
It’s not only millennial women who are smoothing the lines on their faces. Young men do, too —just fewer of them. They now make up 10% of all Botox users, leading to it being dubbed “Brotox.” Specialists say that it is usually their wives who bring them to the clinics.
The Letting Go of Prejudices
As cosmetic enhancements become more mainstream and widely accepted across generations, the stigma surrounding procedures like Botox and Xeomin continues to diminish. What was once considered a luxury or a taboo is now seen as a standard part of self-care and maintenance for many.
Whether for prevention, confidence, or simply to keep up with societal standards, more people are embracing these treatments as a way to enhance their appearance and well-being. With both young women and men joining the trend, it’s clear that cosmetic procedures have become a normalized aspect of modern life, reflecting a shift in how we view beauty and aging.
This post is based on a Star Tribune article.