Among the most popular anti-aging treatments in Malaysia are botulinum toxin (or Botox) injections, fillers, PRP treatment, and thread lifts. Botox injection has medical benefits as well as aesthetic benefits. Since Botox injections are more of a preventive measure than a corrective treatment, it is getting more popular in younger women in their late twenties and early thirties. Wrinkles form due to loss of elasticity of the skin by repeated pulling of the skin by facial muscles during the formation of facial expressions like smiling and frowning. Botox temporarily freezes the muscles, making it impossible to pull the skin for the time period the Botox is effective., hence preventing or delaying the formation of wrinkles. As the skin is not being pulled, it doesn’t lose elasticity and hence delaying wrinkle formation.
Recently Malaysia has seen a boat in demand for botox treatment and young girls and women are lining up to get the treatment. There are several factors behind the increased demand for botox injections which are discussed below.
1. The Culture
Asian culture lays a strong emphasis on physical appearance, especially for young girls and women. Although ageing is a completely natural phenomenon, in Asian culture any signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkle formation are seen as a decline in beauty and physical health, imparting many opportunities.
2. Influence of Social Media
Some people are blessed with good genes and hence they age slowly, but not everyone is lucky to have those genes, so a majority is faced with obvious fine line and wrinkles. Social media has only encouraged maintaining the young and perfect looks for as long as possible. Sadly social media filter do not work in real life and the majority of women and even some men seek treatments that can prevent or correct the signs of ageing.
3. Endorsement by influencers
Celebrities have endorsed these procedures and talk about getting work done publicly. Public influencers have played a major role in creating public awareness about these procedures as self-care. This is an important factor, celebrities, social media influencers have popularised the botox treatment and now many see as something to bost about when in the company of friends.
4. Women Empowerment
Another important factor is that in the past decade a large portion of the female population has joined the workforce and a large number now hold well-paying jobs. With financial independence women now have more money to spend on themselves. The fact that Botox is a quick procedure, minimally invasive and less expensive than surgery has made it popular and accessible for women from every walk of life. Many women feel more confident and empowered after getting aesthetic procedures done.
4. Peer Pressure
The amount of praise and admiration young girls receive after getting an aesthetic procedure done has also encouraged young girls to look into getting more and more work done. As botox is safe and effects do not last forever, this has become a favourite. The procedure is quick and there is little aftercare involved so you can have botox done and return back to normal life the same day. The changes are subtle and thus no one can usually tell unless you mention it to them. Girls are excited to update their girlfriends about the latest botox treatments and fillers they have got done.
