On the Fence about Botox? Here’s What You Need to Know

We don’t know what it is, but no beauty treatment riles up the judgmental negative Nancys of the world quite like Botox. Chalk it up to name recognition, or the fact that it’s the best known anti-aging injectable out there. If you mention wanting to get Botox, people tend to shame you for being superficial or say you’re too young. But beyond the fear of being judged, there are a lot of reasons that you might hesitate to get Botox, even if you’re curious and want to try it. We’re here to give you non-judgmental advice, because we support women making informed decisions. Here are five reasons why women like you are on the fence about Botox, and the truth about each reason. 

Reason 1: I want to “age gracefully” 

You may be afraid of getting Botox that looks overdone or super obvious. And that makes sense, because if you go to an inexperienced or unqualified provider, you could end up looking like Spock from StarTrek. However, the remedy for this problem is simple: the provider is everything. Qualified medical professionals will be able to give you the natural, subtle results you’re looking for. And we hate to break it to you, but the celebs you look up to who have aged “gracefully”? They’ve probably had a little bit of professional help, good genes aside. It’s not cheating to get some Botox, it’s just good self-care.

Reason 2: I’m afraid of Botox side effects! 

A lot of people are afraid of eyebrow drooping, allergic reactions, or other side effects. The good news is that most people who get Botox don’t experience major side effects. You may have temporary bruising or swelling around the injection site, but there are easy ways to prevent this, like avoiding taking NSAID painkillers or drinking alcohol for 24hrs before your injections. You can also rest assured that Botox’s safety has been well-studied for decades.

Reason 3: It’s too expensive.

With the cost of living and rising inflation, Botox can seem like an extravagant expense, even if you love skincare and all things beauty. Everyone’s budgets are different, but you’d be surprised how affordable Botox can be. For one thing, Botox is one of the more affordable advanced beauty treatments. You’ll only need the treatment every three to four months on average. If you get highlights or a root touch up every eight weeks, the cost of Botox is comparable to that. For another, in our MedSpa treatment booking app, Upkeep, we offer bite-sized payments with our partner Affirm, so you can buy now and pay later on a schedule that works for you, interest-free. We also think that beauty treatments are an investment--after all, you only get one face.

Reason 4: I’m worried it will make me less expressive and I won’t be able to communicate my feelings. 

This is a real one. If you have an expressive face, it may seem scary to lose that about yourself. But Botox injections can be customized–for example, if you want to relax your “eleven lines” between your eyebrows, but want to be able to raise them up, you can do that. You can preserve the expressions that make you, you. On the plus side, you may also experience fewer tension headaches, which is an unexpected benefit. Sometimes it's nice not to be able to frown, you know?

Reason 5: I’m afraid of what my boyfriend will think. 

First of all, where does he get off telling you what to do with your own face? Second of all, he probably won’t even notice. This is because Botox settles in gradually over the course of a week. Unless he sees you directly after your appointment, he won’t be able to tell. But that’s not the point. The point is that no romantic partner should be putting you down for wanting to change your appearance. Whether it’s cutting your hair, getting a tattoo or piercing, or yes, getting Botox–it’s your body, not his, so he doesn’t get to have an opinion. This goes for any nosy, overbearing parents or friends you might have, too. 

We hope you now have the info you need to make a choice about Botox that feels right for you! Remember, it’s your face and you get to decide how to take care of it. It’s no one else’s decision but yours. 

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