Eight weeks spent in lockdown gave us some much-needed clarity on a few things: We’re not as good at cooking as we had led ourselves to believe. There is such a thing as too much banana bread. We don’t need a $45-a-week gym membership to stay healthy. And we really should find better excuses as to why we don’t read more. But endless hours spent on Zoom with friends and colleagues also resulted in a rude-awakening for many Kiwi women: “Is that really what my face looks like?”. Never before had we spent so many consecutive hours staring at our reflection; watching the way it moved, creased and stretched as we spoke, laughed, and listened. For some, this meant finally deciding to get bangs, for others it meant a commitment to frowning less, and for more than a few it meant dipping their toes into the world of injectables for the very first time.

You know it as Botox®, your doctor knows it as “botulinum toxin”, and global Botox provider Allergan knows it as the clear liquid that brought them in over half a billion dollars in revenue last year. And yet, despite its increasing popularity, the decision “to Botox, or not to Botox”, as New York Times fashion editor Vanessa Friedman put it, remains shrouded in stigma. Despite its unfortunate name, botulinum toxin is a naturally occurring purified protein which was FDA-approved in 2002 for use in cosmetic medicine globally – including New Zealand. You’re probably most familiar with its ability to reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles but as Stacey Hart, Marketing Communications Specialist at Lovely by Skin Institute, explained, its uses are far-reaching, “Botox also addresses concerns like excessive underarm sweating (known as Hyperhidrosis), facial or jawline slimming through reducing the masseter muscles, relaxing down-turned corners of the mouth, and softening neck bands.”

Whatever your reason, a wave of places like Lovely By Skin Institute at Commercial Bay are more committed than ever to making your experience accessible, acceptable and enjoyable, with Hart claiming they’ve never been busier, “We have definitely seen an increase in ladies booking in for Botox® post-lockdown. Obviously we had our regular customers who needed to get their appointment post-lockdown, however we also saw an influx of new customers wanting to try the popular treatment.” Hart also commented on shifting public perceptions, “New Zealanders have definitely become more open to appearance medicine treatments like anti-wrinkle injections and filler, as well as being aware of the benefits of doing these as preventative treatments. At Lovely by Skin Institute we combine superior technology with the reassurance of our highly-trained team of registered nurses, all with the affordability and convenience of being located within Auckland based malls.” And in a lot of ways, I guess it’s not dissimilar to getting a manicure or bikini wax (actually most will attest that Botox is a lot less painful than waxing) – a client can be in and out from Lovely by Skin Institute on their lunch break. But, price and comfort aside, these are still medical procedures that come with risks; complications can include a ‘Spock’ eyebrow or a dropped lid from injecting the wrong muscle, only further emphasising the importance of working with a clinic or treatment centre you trust.

The other problem is that Botox isn’t well suited to everyone. Personally, I like to think of Botox like getting a fringe: lovely on most, transformative on some, barely detectable on a handful, and a downright disaster on an unlucky few. I will never tell you that you shouldn’t want Botox on account of “loving the skin you’re in”, because while that sentiment is well-intentioned, it’s clear to me that there is a huge amount of shame heaped on those who choose to undergo cosmetic procedures, which seems to work in direct contrast with the message being peddled by the same women who claim to be feminists. In my opinion, the idea of shaming a woman for wanting breast implants or Botox is far more anti-feminist than the procedures themselves. So, maybe I’ll freeze my forehead and you’ll leave yours to its own devices. Maybe I’ll grow out my grey hair when the time comes, and you’ll dye yours within an inch of its life. And we’ll both commit to spending less time on Zoom – for the sake of our sanity.

BOTOX® is a Prescription Medicine containing 100 units of botulinum toxin type A for injection. It is used for the treatment of frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet. It should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Ask your specialist about the benefits and risks of using Botox and whether Botox is right for you. If you have any side effects or concerns speak to your health professional. You will need to pay for Botox. Botox has benefits and risks. Always follow your specialist’s instructions. For more information refer to the Consumer Medicine Information for Botox at www.medsafe.govt.nz. BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc. Allergan New Zealand Ltd, PO Box 1873, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, New Zealand. Lovely by Skin Institute, Auckland

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