Everyone's getting Botox – what if I don't join in?
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- A dermatologist discusses the increasing popularity of Botox and other cosmetic procedures, especially among younger individuals.
- While Botox can reduce wrinkles, starting too early may lead to lifelong use and a loss of natural facial expressions.
- Cosmetic procedures are becoming more common, with significant increases in both surgical and non-invasive treatments for men and women.
The allure of a wrinkle-free complexion is driving a surge in cosmetic procedures, particularly Botox, but experts caution against starting too early. Dr. Julia García Reitböck, a specialist in dermatology and venerology in Vienna, notes that while age is a factor in treatment, the notion of "the earlier, the better" is misleading.
It makes a difference whether someone aims for a completely smooth face or 'just' a rejuvenated, yet still natural, appearance.
"It makes a difference whether someone aims for a completely smooth face or 'just' a rejuvenated, yet still natural, appearance," she explains. Dr. Reitböck warns that starting Botox treatments at a younger age can lead to a cycle of lifelong use, as individuals often become accustomed to the "effect" and find it difficult to stop. Over years of frequent treatments, the natural appearance can be lost, and muscles may lose their ability to move due to prolonged paralysis, preventing wrinkles from deepening.
For individuals like the author, who is 44, starting Botox might offer a "fresher" look but is unlikely to make them appear significantly younger according to aesthetic medicine principles. The dermatologist emphasizes that Botox serves no purpose before the first wrinkles appear. She expresses concern over the trend of women in their early 20s seeking Botox, fueled by social media's portrayal of the procedure as "baby Botox" and "mini-treatments."
The earlier one starts with Botox, the more likely one will do it their whole life.
Beyond Botox, aesthetic interventions in general are gaining traction. The International Master Course on Ageing Science reports a near doubling of cosmetic procedures among men between 2018 and 2024, with injectables and laser treatments increasing by 116 percent. While women still undergo more procedures overall, their increase in cosmetic surgeries was 59 percent and 55 percent for non-invasive treatments during the same period. Popular procedures for women include liposuction, while men increasingly opt for eyelid corrections.
Before the first wrinkle, Botox makes no sense at all.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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