08 Feb The Guardian Says Those Under 30 are Doing Botox and Fillers Wrong
According to The Guardian, people in their 20s have “lost the plot” when it comes to injectables. Doctors and injectors have seen a surge of younger people trying to recreate a filtered, photoshopped aesthetic that just isn’t attainable in real life—resulting in an outcome where people are unrecognizable. RefinedMD specializes in skincare and aesthetic procedures, including Botox and dermal fillers, that enhance what you already have naturally and beautifully. However, not every injector is skilled enough to achieve this. If you want your injections done right, it’s critical that you seek out the best injectors available.
A few years ago, Botox and fillers were most in-demand by those looking for anti-aging solutions (with the exception of those getting lip fillers, which has always been popular with everyone). However, today some of the biggest fans are those under 30 who want a “visibly enhanced” look as part of a fashion trend. There’s no stigma attached to a person changing their appearance anymore, whether surgically or non-surgically. While that is great news, it has also led to using injectables as a “status symbol” that is akin to sporting a designer brand. It’s no wonder so many IG models and reality stars look the same.
Where Botox and Fillers are Going Wrong
You can’t blame injectables for this trend—they are simply the tools being wielded incorrectly. According to the British All-Party Parliamentary Group (AAPG) on beauty, there has been a “rapid growth” in non-surgical treatments last year. In 2021, there were 900,000 Botox injections performed in the UK alone. This has led to a “real concern” about teens and even children getting treatments that mimic Botox and filler injections (since injectables are reserved for adults and many fillers require patients to be at least 21). This wasn’t always the case in the UK, as teens used to be able to get some injectable treatments until last year. Now, it’s still legal in a sense, as the Health and Care Act 2022 simply ushers in a licensing scheme for injectables.
“Tweakments,” which include Botox and fillers, are sometimes bigger stars than the participants themselves in popular shows like Love Island. Of course, the Kardashians have long been credited for making fillers mainstream. It is not only Kylie Jenner’s lip fillers that made this procedure standard for so many young people, but rather the use of these procedures on all of the siblings. Last year, Khloe stated that plastic surgery is (and should be) viewed similar to makeup. Considering that three of the sisters combined have 100 million IG followers, clearly their message is being heard and spread.
Injected and Proud
Celebrities have always played a role in creating and spreading beauty trends, including men. Joe Jonas was recently featured in an ad for Botox’s competition, Xeomin. Today, young people are “being overly injected and proud of it,” leading to a situation where some have “injected themselves to a point where in the old world they would have been considered nuts.” However, this isn’t to say that there isn’t a place for Botox and injectables. They can be fantastic anti-aging and enhancement tools—as long as you are particular about who’s on the other end of the needle.
A reputable injector won’t overdo it. They work with your face. They don’t adopt a “one size fits all” approach to their craft. They don’t encourage body dysmorphia disorder (BDD) or symptoms that mimic it. In other words, a great injector will sometimes say no. The rise in BDD diagnoses is perhaps being somewhat fueled by overdoing injectables and other treatments, with one board member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine saying BDD is “relatively common” amongst overdone injectable patients. Dr. Darren McKeown estimates that up to 10 percent of people are getting injectables in the UK—and, worse, around 80 percent of those clients aren’t happy with the outcome. This isn’t necessarily due to a poor experience or results, but rather the side effects of the disorder. You cannot inject away BDD or any mental disorder.
Getting Great Results
The gap between reality and self-perception is growing wider, thanks in part to social media and filters. Today, more and more patients are bringing in filtered photos of themselves—rather than celebrity photos—to show doctors and injectors what they want. Lockdown and COVID further drove this trend thanks to Zoom meetings. What needs to happen now is orientation to younger people of what exactly injectables are for—and an increase in research done when choosing an injector.
If you want a safe experience with gorgeous results, look no further than RefinedMD. To schedule your consultation or appointment, get in touch today by calling the office or simply completing the online contact form right now.