“Botox? But you’re only 23!”
That was my shocked, and slightly judgmental, reaction when my friend confessed to me one night over drinks that she had been getting Botox injections for the past year. It seemed preposterous. We were only 23! Wasn’t Botox reserved for the over-50 set, the Real Housewives of the world? I scanned her face for signs of zombie-like paralysis, but it looked pretty normal to me.
“Yep,” she said, grinning slyly and taking a sip of her drink. “It’s supposedly a preventative thing.”
“Huh. But…does it hurt?” I asked.
“Not really,” she said, shrugging.
For as appalled as I was, I was also slightly intrigued. Could Botox really prevent wrinkles? Lately, I had begun to worry about the small fine lines that were beginning to creep up on my forehead and around my eyes, the effects of my sun-worshipping teenage years. In high school and college, I spent my summers baking, roasting and frying under the sun in pursuit of a perfect Malibu-Barbie bronze. I religiously avoided sunscreen, despite my mom’s best efforts to slather it on me. The tanner, the better, I thought. Wrinkles? Hah! I would deal with that when I was old.
For me, 23 marked a turning point, an age when I came to terms with the fact that I won’t be young and invincible forever. Now that I found myself immersed in the very adult world of credit card bills and 401ks, aging didn’t seem so far away. I imagined myself turning 30, my skin leathery and wrinkled from all the years I spent sprawled under the sun, tanning my skin until it was as orange as a Willy Wonka Oompa Loompa.
After doing some research on the Internet, I discovered that what my friend hadbeen saying wasn’t B.S.—Botox actually has been proven to prevent wrinkles. In fact, it’s a general consensus among dermatologists that Botox slows the aging process. Why? By paralyzing the small facial muscles we use when we make expressions, Botox discourages fine lines from setting in. In 2006, there was even a landmark twin study conducted that showed how the regular use of Botox could freeze the aging process.
Back in April, I had visited an open house at REN Dermatology and was very impressed not only with the facility, but also with Dr. Lee and her wonderful staff. So on a whim one day, I called up Dr. Lee’s office and sheepishly inquired about Botox injections.
“I’m only 23…am I crazy?” I asked.
The desk lady assured me I wasn’t. In fact, she said, they’ve seen dozens of 20-somethings come in for Botox treatments. This made me feel better, so I scheduled a lunchtime appointment for the following week. During my lunch break, I would simply slip out of the office for a quick “lunch” and go get some Botox injections. Nobody would notice, right?
The day my appointment arrived, I was pretty darn nervous. Every worst-case scenario ran through my head: Will people notice? Will I turn out looking like Bruce Jenner? Will my eyebrows forever be raised in mock surprise? Prior to the appointment, I almost chickened out and cancelled a few times. But when I walked into Dr. Lee’s office at 1 pm, I immediately felt better. I knew I was in good hands.
During my consultation, I told Dr. Lee that I wanted the Botox to be very subtle. She promised that it would be. “You won’t look frozen or anything,” she said.
We did only six units on my forehead. The whole ordeal was over in a matter of seconds. Dr. Lee took a needle and poked me in three different spots, and that was that. It was surprisingly painless; getting my flu shot hurt more. After administering the injections, Dr. Lee’s nurse promptly iced my forehead to prevent swelling. I was worried that I would return to work oozing blood from my face, looking like a cast member from The Walking Dead, but you honestly couldn’t tell. There were three subtle bumps on the injection sites, but they faded quickly.
It took about three days for me to notice the Botox gradually kicking in. By about a week, the effects were fully apparent. The lines on my forehead are completely erased, and I can no longer fully raise my eyebrows, although I still have some control over them, which is nice. Overall, the effect is very subtle; nobody has commented on it. I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who notices, which is exactly what I wanted in the first place.
Will I go back for more Botox injections? Absolutely! Preventative Botox is a worthwhile investment against future wrinkles. I figure I will incorporate it into my yearly beauty budget along with other expenses like highlights and makeup (which can honestly be just as pricey!). Plus, I feel confident placing my trust in Dr. Lee and her competent team. I know they will always do a tasteful and skillful job.
With my reckless sun-seeking days long behind me, I vow to take better care of my skin throughout the rest of my 20s. This means applying sunscreen every time I venture outside, as well as wearing a wide-brimmed hat to protect my face. As for the Botox….well, that’s going to be my own my little secret.