Is Botox the New Lipstick?

"Face is everything! You can live with the places that aren't seen, but everyone sees your face."  

—Rhonda Nofal, Blue Medi Spa, Sherman Oaks

As a boomer, I have been researching the best way to fight sagging jowels. Every day I look in the mirror and find another new wrinkle. After trying all the latest skin creams and herbal elixirs to stave off crepey eyes and forehead skidmarks, I decided to go to Blue Medi Spa, 14622 Ventura Blvd., because I heard it has great results.

I checked out the Botox options and found I needed a lot more than I expected. But the results are great. There's no skin-care cream that can compete with it.

Don't believe the ads. There's really nothing better than Botox yet (except lasers—but that's another story!)

To get the maximum benefit, I would need to get the standard shot of 20 units between the eyes—the glabella muscles are the strongest in the face. The cost would be $225 (standard rate). The next area is the forehead (above the brows) for 20 units at an additional $225. 

And of course, the crow's feet, which are 10 units around each eye for $225 for both. Blue Medi Spa does have a special for newbies: $199 for the first area. The good thing about becoming a regular Botox Babe is that the more you do it, the less you need. The muscles weaken with injections and you don't need to go as often. Some women and men swear by it and schedule their seasonal Botox ahead.

Because of the competitive job market, more people than ever are taking extreme measures to make sure they look their best. Especially Boomers.  Not content to be disregarded because of increased crow's feet and brow lines, they are turning to Botox and other injectables for instant relief, mood elevation, and positive energy. Perhaps this is a result of the "lipstick effect"?

"The Lipstick Effect" is a term coined by Leonard Lauder, of Estee Lauder fame, after the Great Depression. Sales of cosmetics rose dramatically in the four years from 1929 to 1933. When the economy goes declines, sales of small luxuries like lipstick increase. But in 2008, annual lipstick sales actually dropped five per cent, according to Inside Cosmeceuticals, which tracks cosmetics purchases in the U.S. and UK. Now, it seems, Americans – both men and women – are splurging on a more modern luxury: cosmetic injections. 

The difference between today and the Great Depression is the technology. While lipstick was a quick-fix remedy then, there are more options for instant satisfaction and relief.  Some of the dwindling affluent are cutting back on most luxuries, except for Botox. It seems there has been a shift in priorities.

Instead of investing in yet another new Louis Vuitton bag or a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes), Botox has become de rigueur for the aging Boomer Babe.

Ahhh, rejuvenation with a "liquid facelift" that relaxes stress lines, fills cracks and plumps lips! It's almost a miracle for the world-weary soul battling an aging face when youthfulness is the growth market.  It may sound like a band-aid to a much more complex issue; yet somehow, it all feels a little bit better. While plastic surgery is experiencing a huge downturn, non-surgical cosmetic procedures, which include everything from chemical peels to laser hair removal, decreased by 12 percent in 2008, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. There were 2,464,123 Botox procedures in 2008 — 311,053 fewer than the year before.

However, many new recruits are popping up. People who would never consider Botox before are now ponying up for injectables. The diehards who were flocking to the doctor's office like clockwork three times a year may not be coming in as frequently.

Lately, there are more and more people seeking to look youthful, especially when they're competing in the declining workforce. Last spring Reveal spa in Arlington, VA's Pentagon Row offered free Botox injections and career counseling to the first 50 unemployed customers. While most people cannot afford a liquid facelift, maybe there will be more of a trend in offering free injectables to the aging, unemployed jobseeker. (Wishful thinking!) 

Rhonda Nofal, the founder of Blue Medi Spa, said, "Because of this economy, (recession-depression?), our laser biz has gone down but the injectables have gone up! People can live with their hairy legs or spider veins, or even with the tattoos they want removed, but aren't willing to live with wrinkles. Many patients have said, "I won't go out to dinner for the month, we've even cut kids' eating expenses, and shopping; anything to be able to do my Botox and injectables.' It may be a luxury to some, but to many it's become almost a necessity."

Blue Medi Spa is one of seven U. S. facilities rated a Black Diamond account by Allergan, the company that manufactures Botox and Juvederm). It is the biggest account in the Valley.