Why Black Americans Are Getting More Botox & Facial Fillers Than Ever Before

Allure magazine just ran a very interesting article about the increasing use of Botox and facial fillers among Black Americans.

In this article renowned Birmingham, MI plastic surgeon Dr. M. Azar Ali continues this discussion and addresses some of the issues and concerns of men and women of color when considering Botox and/or facial fillers.

The Stigma of Cosmetic Procedures Has Disappeared

Many Bay Boomers were raised with a stigma surrounding treatments such as Botox or facial fillers. But now younger generations of Americans of all races are abandoning the shame associated with having work done.

Cosmetic treatments are now a subject that is now socially acceptable on a broad scale. While Baby Boomers and Gen X tend to see these procedures as remedial medicine, millennials and Gen Z tend to view aesthetic intervention as self-care and preventative medicine.

As a result, Botox and facial fillers have experienced a significant rise in interest among Black and brown patients.

Botox, Facial Fillers & Black Representation

One significant problem with injectable and other treatments has been representation in marketing portrayals.

When most of these aesthetic and anti-aging treatments were initially launched, they were marketed only to white women. Frustratingly, clinical studies of their effectiveness were also performed almost exclusively on white women.

So, for many women and men of color, it has traditionally been hard to see or envision themselves indulging in these cosmetic procedures. And, while the media still has a long way to go, thanks to more inclusivity in advertising Black individuals are now being included in the media conversation about Botox, facial fillers and other cosmetic products and treatments.

Statistics on Black Use of Botox & Facial Fillers

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ (ASPS) 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, over 15.5 million cosmetic procedures were done in the United States alone. Botox was the most widely used coming in first position with 4.4 million procedures, followed by facial fillers at 3.4 million procedures.

In that report the ASPS noted that just 11% of all cosmetic procedures and 4% of Botox injections were performed on Black patients in 2020. But they also reported that Black interest in these procedures is increasing.

According to the same report, 1.78 million Black Americans had cosmetic operations in 2020, up from 1.77 million in 2019 and 1.68 million in 2018 to.

Unique Skin Concerns of Black Botox Patients

Aging seems to be somewhat different in patients of color. To begin with, “photo-aging” (skin damage due to UV sun exposure) happens more slowly in darker skin due to the increased amount of melanin. So, while Black patients may experience skin dullness and hyperpigmentation, typically, Black patients do not have skin that wrinkles very much with age.

Many Black men and women never develop true forehead lines. One is more likely to see vertical “11” lines between the eyebrows than to notice horizontal forehead lines. Whereas someone of the same age who is Caucasian will often have lines across the forehead in addition to the 11 lines. However, if you look at Asian populations, you’ll see that they often get crow’s feet more frequently than they develop forehead lines or “11s”.

Botox is ideal for treating the parallel, vertical “11s” between the eyes in patients with darker skin tones. It is also highly effective as a kind of “prejuvenation,” with younger patients receiving lower doses of Botox to prevent the development of creases between the eyes as they age.

Unique Skin Concerns of Black Facial Filler Patients

Collagen levels peak at age 22, and each year afterwards, a person loses roughly 1% of that collagen. While black individuals do not age as quickly as those with less pigmentation, decreasing collagen causes substantial volume loss in people of all skin colors.

This loss of facial volume can result in the development of smile lines, hollowness under the eyes, and sagging skin in the cheeks, jowls, and nasolabial areas. Facial fillers administered in these areas can restore youthful volume and plumpness to Black or brown skin.

Botox & Facial Filler Providers for Black Skin | Birmingham

Many Med Spas fail to understand the unique needs of African-American and others with melanin-rich skin.

Sadly, if you look at medical textbooks and training materials many (if not most) of the accompanying images present lighter and white skin tones. This has unfortunately produced a “blind zone” in many practices’ treatment of Black skin, since procedure results appear differently on darker skin.

It is critical to have cosmetic physicians and aestheticians who understand Black and brown skin, and who have years of experiencing treating patients of color. Dr. Ali himself, has very dark skin himself – so he not only comprehends the issues unique to darker skin tones, he has experienced them firsthand.

If you are a person of color who is interested in exploring the anti-aging and skin rejuvenating possibilities of Botox or facial fillers, you can trust your skin to Dr. Ali at AMAE Plastic Surgery & Med Spa.

Schedule consultation at AMAE Plastic Surgery and Med Spa in Birmingham and Dr. Ali will take the time to assess your unique skin and understand your personal aesthetic goals. Then he will customize a treatment plan based on your individual skin type, tone, color and condition – so that you will achieve the best results and look your best at any age.