Black aesthetics expert Michelle German breaks down fillers, Botox, and the stigma of injectables.
Beauty standards are as ever-changing as the latest TikTok trends, and there’s currently a movement brewing, challenging beauty biases and raising an impeccably arched eyebrow at stereotypes. Lately, you may have noticed more and more folks you follow talking about Botox and fillers — so what’s all the buzz about?
Generally, when people think of cosmetic procedures, they think of rigid faces, overfilled lips, and an overall plastic-like appearance, all in a futile effort to freeze time. Since the turn of the millennium, the pursuit of eternal youth has taken a decidedly syringe-shaped turn — and in recent years, has become accessible to more than just the elite. However, before getting into injectables, there are things to be aware of, especially for those of us with melanated skin. TheGrio spoke with
Because of how Botox is injected into the skin, the treatment can help address sweat concerns and sometimes even acne. Those who suffer from excess sweating (hyperhidrosis) often use Botox as a temporary solution as it can calm down sweat glands for three to four months, according to German. Understanding the way Botox can attack sweat, many Black women have begun using the same treatment to maintain their edges.
“As of a few years ago, Black women are using [Botox] in their hairlines so that they are able to work out without sweating out their hair,” German told theGrio. “It’s a smaller amount, and it’s diluted differently, but you can use it, and the same principle applies to sweating right along the hairline as it does like your armpits, so it is pretty cool.”
Above all else, it’s a medical procedure
“Social media makes everything look so easy and instant,” said German. “But people should know that it is still a medical procedure, that things that we are injecting, whether it be Botox or another different type of filler, are basically like prescribed medications.”
Though individuals can’t actually be prescribed fillers, they should only be purchased and administered by medical providers. German stresses the importance of going to a provider who is either board-certified or has completed the proper training to become an injector. While the requirements vary from state to state, the national standard to be an injector is to be a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or medical doctor.
“You want to make sure that people know exactly what they’re doing. [That they] know the body and signs to look for,” she added. “Although it is something cosmetic and elective, there are still risks that are involved in each procedure.”
Final takeaways
Whether you decide to use a syringe to fight wrinkles, plump your face or protect your edges, German encourages everyone to ignore the stigmas surrounding cosmetic procedures and do their own research.
“In the age of “Housewives” and reality TV, when you’re seeing women that look too plumped up and fake, you just sort of automatically associate that with what fillers and these sort of cosmetic procedures can do,” she said. “You can get something done and not look fake.”
For German, it’s important clients leave her feeling good and looking like a refreshed version of themselves. So, before venturing into the world of nonsurgical cosmetic treatments, she advises people to do research on not only the treatment but the facility they choose to go to. Prior to any injections, patients should go in for a consultation in which they should ask questions like:
What should I expect?
How do you handle complications?
Will you be able to treat whatever possible complications arise in the office?
“It’s a fun procedure to get done, and you feel better about yourself when you get it done,” German added. “But you still want to make sure you’re making an informed decision before doing it.”
Haniyah Philogene is a multimedia storyteller and Lifestyle reporter covering all things culture. With a passion for digital media, she goes above and beyond to find new ways to tell and share stories.
