When it comes to Botox, black women are a bit of a mystery.
We all know the saying, “Black don’t crack.” As a black woman, I understand the importance of appreciating my natural beauty. Aging is a sign of wisdom and experience. I’m proud to show the world what it looks like to be a woman who has lived a full life. I’m not afraid of aging or think that wrinkles should be eliminated. Still, I am ok slowing down the aging process. So, why is Botox so taboo in our community?
It could be one of three things:
- It’s viewed as an attempt to alter your appearance rather than accepting who you are
- Injecting Botox into your face is seen as trying to look younger than you are
- The price associated with injectables
The answer may be a combination of all three or none of the above.
It’s no secret that Botox is a big business—it’s one of the world’s most widespread cosmetic surgery procedures, and it has been around since the 1990s. Botox is not just for the rich and famous but for everyone. This treatment can smooth out wrinkles and lines on your face, reduce crow’s feet around your eyes, and eliminate frown lines between your eyebrows. However, when we look at who gets this procedure done most often, we see something interesting: It’s mostly white women who get Botox. Why is that?
Black women are often overlooked in the beauty industry. As a result, we are underrepresented in the market for cosmetic enhancement procedures. However, this narrative is changing as more black women choose to get injectables.
There’s a lot of misinformation about the use of Botox.
Being informed is key to making the best decision for you and your skin. Many believe Botox causes a person’s face to look frozen or expressionless, but this isn’t true when done correctly. Botox temporarily paralyzes muscles so they can’t move and cause wrinkles on your face.
I took Naiya, our 18-year-old daughter, to the med spa for the first time. December is hectic, so I treated her to her first B12/MIC injections. I depend on them to keep my energy up and to stay healthy, especially during the holiday season. While there, I also received Botox injections. I’ve been getting Botox a few times a year since I was 43 and decided to bring Naiya along. She’s known about it since I started getting them, but she hadn’t seen how the injections were administered. She was shocked! She thought they were going to hurt! Trust me; I’d be the first to admit it if any pain was associated.
Some would ask why I’d introduce such a thing to my impressionable young daughter. People getting Botox/fillers are all over tv and social media. While we both feel she’s way too young to do such a thing, it was important for me to make sure she saw injections being administered correctly so she could make an educated decision about her aesthetic health in the future…..the far future. This was also a safe space for Naiya to ask Melanie of MM Medical Spa, FNP BC, any and everything. I would hate for her to turn to the internet for information.
My reasons for getting Botox are simple.
I wanted to look well-rested. I habitually drink plenty of water, eat clean, and live a healthy lifestyle. Still, there’s only so much SPF moisturizer, water, and Pilates can do. Injectables are a temporary fix that helps me look more youthful, confident, and happy. It makes me feel good about myself, and I’m not afraid to share my experience. I’m not trying to become someone else or hide my age with it; I’m just trying to be my most beautiful self. Some women get eyelash extensions.
There are less vapid reasons to use Botox, although the main reason is cosmetic. The side effects can help treat severe medical conditions. For example, it’s approved to treat crossed eyes and excessive drooling caused by a neurological disease or injury.
Botox is also used to treat chronic migraine headaches in children aged 12 years old or older. In addition, some doctors may recommend Botox for patients with severe neck pain who have tried other treatments without success.
With that being said, black women are at a much higher risk of burning, scarring, and hyperpigmentation as a result of aesthetic treatment than white women, so DO YOUR RESEARCH! Find a provider that has experience with dark skin.
ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS OF BOTOX
As you know, Botox is a beautiful thing. It can treat wrinkles, stop headaches, and even help with migraine symptoms, but it’s not without side effects. For example, I often get a brow lift that treats the frown lines between my brows, also known as the 11 lines. I’ve never experienced an adverse reaction, but please be advised. Mild side effects are headaches, soreness, and numbness. More severe side effects include droopy brows/eyelids, speech changes, blurred vision, loss of bladder control, and breathing difficulties. Please call your medical provider immediately if you experience any of the above.
If you’ve read all of this, thank you! This is not a post to get WOC to run out and get injections. When Naiya and I started McKnights of Magnolia, we vowed to have honest conversations even if they were unpopular. I wanted to share my reasons and experiences with getting Botox because women of color need to see themselves reflected in the media we consume. We need more examples of WOC who are brave enough to voice their opinions and share their stories, even if they’re controversial.
You might wanna read: 10 Skincare Tips Every Woman in their late 40’s should Try, 4 Reasons to Try Berberine: Nature’s Ozempic Now!
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