Botox and The Changing Face of Beauty

Despite fluctuations in beauty standards throughout history, one thing has remained constant: the desire to appear youthful.

Over the ages, people across the globe have used their own unique practices in attempts to achieve this, from bathing in milk¹ to using mercury face creams² and even conducting animal gland transplants.³

In modern times, science has not only provided us with safer (and more effective) methods of anti-ageing, but it has also made looking younger accessible to more than just the wealthy.

Botox is the most well-known of the injectables containing botulinum toxin, which is one of the most poisonous biological substances on earth.⁴

While the wrong quantity of this working ingredient can be fatal, the tiny amount contained in cosmetic injections is considered safe. Botox works by effectively restricting movement in the injected area, thereby preventing wrinkles from forming.

While Botox works by ‘freezing’ sections of the face, dermal fillers – another popular injectable – are used to fill out existing wrinkles and hollows, e.g. crow’s feet and the under-eye area.

In the early 2000s, when Botox was first approved for cosmetic use,⁵ it was mostly associated with wealthy celebrities, who tended to be the only ones who could afford it.

The picture could not look more different today, with Botox and dermal filler procedures accounting for 9/10 cosmetic procedures.⁶ In 2022 alone, the demand for Botox was found to have increased by 124% from the previous year,⁷ and the UK injectables market is predicted to reach a value of £11.7 billion by 2026.⁸

There are many things thought to be driving Botox’s incredible surge in popularity, from widespread media portrayal to unrealistic beauty standards. Yet remarkably, the UK injectables market remains ‘effectively unregulated’. ⁹

Since Botox is classed as a controlled drug, it’s not allowed to be advertised to the general public. Despite this, nine in ten beauty clinics have been found to be breaking the law by advertising Botox to the public¹⁰ without repercussions.

Opportunists have also seized upon the Botox rise, administering Botox and even fake Botox without a license, with severe consequences for customers. The most severe side-effects of the injectable are difficulty breathing, temporary blindness, and even death.¹¹

While illegitimate vendors and non-compliant clinics do pose a problem, most Botox practitioners take great pains to operate safely and according to the law.

But accidents do happen – no matter how legitimate your business. Whether you run your own clinic or you are an independent practitioner, you know how crucial your reputation and customer trust are – and one damning review can be all it takes to devastate a business.

Particularly if your business is flourishing, accidents may be more likely to occur as your clinic sees its popularity increase.

At Everywhen , we offer a wide range of beauty cover, from salon to aesthetics and beauty therapist insurance, and more. If you’re curious about cost, get a free and easy aesthetics and beauty insurance quote, or, to speak to an adviser, contact us on 0330 828 5665.

This is a marketing article by Everywhen Insurance. The information contained is based on sources that we believe are reliable and should be understood as general risk management and insurance information only. It is not intended to be taken as advice with respect to any specific or individual situation and cannot be relied upon as such. If you wish to discuss your specific requirements, please do not hesitate to contact a Everywhen Insurance adviser.

Sources

• [1] The revival of ancient beauty rituals - BBC Culture

• [2] Gross and Dangerous Ancient Beauty Tips - Business Insider

• [3] The Quest to Look Young Forever - WSJ

• [4] Botulinum Toxin | PMC

• [5] The Remarkable Story of Botox (verywellhealth.com)

• [6] New regulations for Botox treatments and practitioners in the UK | Mouth Dental

• [7] Demand for lip fillers and Botox is a boost for UK dentists | Dentists | The Guardian

• [8] One in four UK cosmetic injections carried out by dentists | Dentistry

• [9] Two in three cosmetic surgery injections in the UK are not administered by doctors | UCL News - UCL – University College London

• [10] Q&A: why are more people using Botox, and what are the risks? | Cosmetic surgery | The Guardian

• [11] Botulinum toxin injections, such as Botox - NHS (www.nhs.uk)