When we hear the words Botox and fillers, many of us pictured frozen foreheads, oversized lips and faces that no longer resembled the people we once knew. Social media hasn’t helped change that perception.
The conversation surrounding injectables is changing. Many women aren’t looking to change their appearance. They want to preserve the features they have loved about themselves.
I recently discussed the subject with two aesthetic providers for an episode of the “Lift & Glitz Podcast” titled “Botox & Fillers for Beginners.” We talked about misconceptions, fears surrounding injectables and the importance of choosing the right provider. One part of our conversation stood out.
Women are bringing pictures of their younger selves to appointments.
Not pictures of celebrities or filtered Instagram influencers. They are bringing pictures of themselves from five, 10 or 15 years ago and saying, “This is what I want to look like.”
That changes the narrative surrounding aesthetic treatments. We have long associated Botox and fillers with a desire to look different. But what these providers described was more personal. Women aren’t asking for completely new faces. They want subtle enhancements that help them feel more like themselves.
As women, we experience many changes throughout our lives. Our bodies, skin and priorities change. Along the way, we may look in the mirror and notice that our reflection doesn’t match how we feel inside.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Botox and fillers is that the results have to be obvious. We have all seen treatments that look exaggerated, and those images can make someone who is curious about injectables hesitant to schedule a consultation.
However, there is growing interest in a natural-looking approach. The goal isn’t for everyone to notice that someone has had something done. For many women, it is about looking well-rested and refreshed while still looking like themselves.
Of course, every treatment is not right for every person. Botox and fillers are medical procedures with potential risks. Choosing a qualified, experienced provider who understands your goals is essential.
Trust was another important part of our conversation. When considering an aesthetic treatment, especially for the first time, you should feel comfortable asking questions, discussing concerns and understanding what is realistic. A good consultation should address what you want and what makes sense for you.
Sometimes, the right decision may be to do less — or nothing at all.
I couldn’t help but connect this conversation to what I see at Lift & Glitz Training Studio. Women enter our studios with different goals and ideas about confidence. Some want to build muscle or lose weight. Others want to feel stronger, healthier and more comfortable in their own skin.
I always emphasize that the journey shouldn’t be about becoming someone else. It should be about becoming the best version of yourself.
Whether we are discussing fitness or aesthetics, confidence shouldn’t be defined by someone else’s standards. There is nothing wrong with changing your appearance, just as there is nothing wrong with aging naturally without cosmetic treatments. What matters is understanding why you are making the decision and ensuring it is your own.
And sometimes, that choice starts with an old photograph and the words, “I just want to look like me.”
Whether you choose injectables or not, the goal should never be to look like someone else. It should be to feel confident being yourself.
Rachel King is the founder and CEO of Lift & Glitz Training Studio, a women-only fitness community with locations in Northfield and Galloway, New Jersey, and the host of the Lift & Glitz Podcast: Lift Your Strength. Glitz Your Life.
