Growing up in the age of social media with constant exposure to selfies that have been edited and filtered, it's no surprise Gen Z is fixated on beauty and looking their best.
But some dermatologists say Gen Z's obsession with Botox has gone too far— and it's actually making them look older.
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The number of facial cosmetic procedures increased by 19% between 2019 and 2022, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. During the same time period, the number of Botox injections shot up by 73% and dermal fillers increased by 70%.
According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gen Z is driving up the demand for these minimally invasive procedures known as "tweakments," such as Botox, fillers, microneedling and chemical peels. According to a 2022 survey, 75% of facial plastic surgeons saw a spike in demand from clients under 30, and a majority of those clients (79%) report getting treatments because they want to improve their selfies.
Additional data from CivicScience shows that Gen Z has the most experience with non-surgical cosmetic treatments: 30% of U.S. adults 18-24 have had Botox injections and dermal fillers, versus just 14% of the general population, and another 16% intend to get them (compared to 9% of the general population).
It may seem strange that members of Gen Z are chasing a more youthful appearance, considering they're currently between the ripe ages of 12 and 27. But instead of rejuvenation, dermatologists say more and more younger patients are looking for "pre-juvenation."
"They're coming in without any lines or built-in markings on their skin," New York dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss told CBS News. "And they're coming in with a fear of aging."
Ever-obsessed with smoothing wrinkles, Gen Z has simply grown more attuned to facial changes that occur with age than older generations thanks to the internet.
"They experience stress about getting older, are flooded with influencer content promoting anti-aging skincare products, and recently, were introduced to TikTok AI filters that show aged versions of themselves – all of which influence one's facial perception," CivicScience noted.
The rise of social media has also led to plastic surgery becoming less stigmatized as more people document their journeys and transformations for their followers.
Under the influence and worried about aging while still in the prime of their youth, many Gen Zers see the answer for their anxieties in a needle.
"It's mostly not necessary and just a real source of anxiety," dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jeffy told USA Today. "Oftentimes they're moving their face, and we don't even see wrinkles, but this is what they're afraid of."
The problem with trying to prevent an issue too soon, is that you can actually create more problems.
Dermatologists say considering Botox in your 20s is way too soon. Botox only last for three or four months on average, so injections must be done regularly over time to maintain results. And they're expensive, costing on average $530 per treatment, per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
"That's a really long road ahead when you're starting this out in your 20s," Jeffy told USA Today. "There's a little bit of a misconception among some of my patients I've chatted with who just think that, 'Oh, you kind of get this done once, and then you never have to think about it again.'"
Years of use can actually cause Botox to backfire and leave someone with facial muscles that appear thinner and looser at a younger age.
"The science is clear: If you block muscle action and the muscle isn't working, it atrophies and gets smaller over time," Dr. Steven Williams, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, told CBS News.
Too many injections or those done poorly can also permanently alter a person's face.
"It can change the shape of their eyebrow and almost make them look older, because they can't emote anymore and they almost look robotic," dermatologist Dr. Anthony Rossi told USA Today. "Unfortunately, we've seen a lot of bad Botox just from untrained people or people who are doing it that don't really have an aesthetic eye."
Instead, dermatologists say Boxtox is more appropriate when Gen Z hits their "adulting era," in their 30s and 40s.
"The right time (to get Botox) is when someone is really starting to see a faint, fixed line, meaning they see it there when their face is not moving," Jeffy added.
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