When I created my first online dating profile (good times at age 43!) about three years ago I noticed a couple deep lines on my forehead in my selfies.
I had always known they were there. And, I truly wasn't really bothered. I did once try to "massage" them away with my fingertips because somehow I thought my digits were like little, magic Harry Potter wands. Sadly, massaging does jack shit for wrinkles.
I briefly thought about getting Botox injections when I turned 40, but never got around to it because I am lazy. So, for whatever reason, I finally took the "Brotox" plunge in 2021 and haven't looked back.
"Brotox" is a real thing
I wish that I could take credit for the phrase"Brotox," but it was coined by some Tik-Tok influentials. It simply means men getting botox. And, it's caught fire.
More than 265,000 men received Botox injections in 2020, 182% more than received the procedure two decades ago, per recent figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, as first reported by the New York Post.
The entire men's grooming business is booming, as CNN reported this summer:
"According to data gathered by market insight company Statista this year, the global male grooming market is expected to be worth $115 billion by 2028, up from nearly $80 billion in 2022. The same market was worth an estimated $74.8 billion in 2021."
The reasons for the crazy growth are simple: the pandemic meant office workers were staring at their reflections (and tiny flaws) on endless Zoom calls, the continued rise in social media and the general self-care movement.
Now that I've called out my insecurities and justified my habit (hee-hee), let's get to my tips and tricks for 2023. Boom.
If you take the Botox plunge...
You may not have to search too hard to find a Botox provider. Believe it or not, it's a safe bet to start at your dentist's office. The same people who whiten and straighten your teeth (and tell you to floss more) can freeze the muscles in your face, erasing all traces of those pesky wrinkles. I'm biased, but I strongly suggest you start here, especially if you are local to Massachusetts and Middlesex County.
Once you've selected a provider and have an appointment, here's five things to expect or do:
Ice your head for about 10 minutes before the procedure to reduce swelling and irritation.
Sitting in a chair, your Botox hookup will clean your face with an alcohol wipe.
Next, you'll be asked to make angry and surprised faces so that your trouble areas can be identified and marked w/ a marker.
And, finally, after a few needle pricks to the forehead you are done.
Immediately apply ice for awhile afterward. It generally takes about 48 hours for your forehead to settle back.
ME (above) at age 43. Small wrinkles on forehead. Not a great day for a boat ride, but still fun.
Me (above) at age 46. Forehead wrinkles gone. Charlotte and I donating canned goods for Lazarus House in Lawrence, Mass.
One final note: Botox is also used to prevent excessive sweating under the arm pits. An added benefit to injecting it into your forehead is that you won't be dripping sweat in that area after a workout. It's an odd feeling, but a good one.
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