As Barbie mania hits the social airwaves, it has also triggered a new insecurity among men fuelling a new trend of Brotox in the cosmetic industry. We speak to dermatologists and a male Botox user for a 360-degree look at this trend
Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie at the premiere of their film, Barbie. Pics Courtesy/Instagram
"I am just Ken.” With these simple lines, Greta Gerwig turned Ryan Gosling’s Ken into a new standard for male aesthetics in her film Barbie. While it is easier for Gosling, with his blessed genetics, to uphold that standard, it is causing turmoil among men.
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Since its discovery in the 1970s, Botulinum Toxin AKA Botox has been a prevalent anti-ageing solution. Over time, its usage has grown, especially among men. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons revealed that the number of men opting for Botox surgeries has gone up by 400 per cent since 2000. Over 4, 50,000 men in the United States underwent treatment in 2018. Hence, the term Brotox.
But is this just another passing aesthetic trend that has resurfaced due to the cult-like success of a feel-good, fantasy flick, or is there a genuine rise in awareness among men towards beauty? City dermatologists and a Botox user share their insights on this Ken-undrum.
People are more aware
I have seen an increasing number of men choose Botox in the last five years. It is a myth that the procedure is unsafe. Accessibility of information and treatment has resulted in better exposure among people. Over 75 per cent of our clientele comes from professional and business circles. Their concerns range from aesthetic to health related. While a majority of them — specifically in the age groups of 35 to 45 years — focus on chiselled jaw lines or reducing dynamic lines on their faces, also a few opt for it to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) as well. Men often turn to Botox to treat crow’s feet, forehead expression lines, bunny lines or glabellar lines. We choose to focus on dynamic lines since the procedure is more effective on them.
Dr Chytra V Anand, celebrity cosmetic dermatologist
Rise of aesthetics
The cosmetic industry has surged in the last decade. These days, many men are opting for preventive Botox treatments to tackle age lines. A large number of them fall between the ages of 35 to 45 years. Some of them also opt for the procedure for aesthetics such as a sculpted jaw line. I am all for preventive procedures, but they are not a means to make you look younger. Many celebrities, for instance Tom Cruise, choose to keep their crow’s feet since it makes them look their age while retaining an aesthetic appearance. Opting for such a procedure is also a matter of self-esteem. If you feel that your facial lines are affecting your self-belief or your career, Botox might be a solution. One of my patients was a teacher whose frown lines made children fearful of her. In such cases, it can help the individual to regain their confidence.
Dr Pallavi Sule, dermatologist and aesthetic physician
Visual after-effects
Men choose Botox for a number of reasons. With the rise of social media and online dating, they are motivated to maintain their appearances more than ever before. People also spend a lot of time at home, and look at themselves all day on Zoom cameras. They notice more wrinkles and often step in to request treatments. While treatments are common among patients above 30 years, we observe that the majority of patients in their late 20s and 30s come in with early signs of ageing, and opt for the procedure. It usually lasts between four to six months, and results appear within 36 hours. Botox can also treat blepharospasm (excessive blinking), strabismus (lazy eye) and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), among other ailments.
Dr Raina Nahar, consultant, dermatology, PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Khar
The definitive checklist: Face the music
Gosling as Ken
>> Since Botox involves treating a muscle, it is not reccommended for people with muscular disorders.
>> If the patient has undergone a cosmetic procedure in the past and frequently, it needs to be taken into account.
>> Botox is the most effective treatment on dynamic lines. It is also a safe way to provide an aesthetic look.
>> Do not ignore expert advice when it comes to post-procedural care.
>> If you are a stage/on-screen performer who depends on facial expressions, avoid extensive procedures. It will become a hindrance.
Case Study
Botox can treat several issues such as facial asymmetry. Representation Pic
A choice for the future
As a model, I spend most of my time in front of the camera. Since facial expression is unavoidable, frown lines are an occupational hazard. Reading about Botox and its exaggerated risks on Google almost deterred me, but I chose to go ahead and speak with the experts before making a decision. It took me four to five sessions of counselling before taking the step. In hindsight, I am glad that I took this decision because the effects were visible within the week. It has also worked to improve my self-esteem, which is an important part of the modelling industry.
Mumbai-based model, 33 (name withheld on request)
Male celebs with Botox
>> David Hasselhoff
>> Simon Cowell
>> Barry Manilow
>> Mickey Rourke
>> Steven Tyler
>> Burt Reynolds
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