To think that society does not require Botox

[MeridaBrave]

I’ve just started a new job and everyone is lovely. It’s a start up and there is a great atmosphere. A younger colleague (she is 28, so only 6 years older than my DD) said she has Botox. I asked why? She said society expects it so she has to. I really struggled to understand (I’m in my 50s and they recruited me for my technical skills).

I kept on saying I didn’t understand why it was required - clearly our employer wouldn’t care. To her it seems so obvious that it was expected by society. Eventually she said social media. I suppose also could be her social circle?

Am I being unreasonable to think that this is insane? I’m also worried about what sort of world we are bringing our daughters up into. What’s the point in feminism and equal opportunity if young women feel Botox is required.

Clearly a little insane and driven to that with her social media feed. Of course society does not 'require' it but arguing with her about will be like playing chess with a pigeon - you could checkmate it but it'll still shit on the board.

It's a completely insane idea to me and horrible It's being used at such young ages. I assume there's a legal minimum age for it of 18 but there must be 18 year olds thinking about it now.

She's talking bollocks.

She doesn't want to go into a deep and meaningful about why she feels she really needs it (totally her prerogative).

So instead she's blaming 'society'.

Just leave her be, as it's no-one's business but her own.

You can't argue against it, unfortunately. See also mad eyebrows, plastic surgery and big tombstone teeth. 😬

I mean, society also doesn't need Starbucks Frappuccinos or Labubus or 25 different types of yoghurt in the shops but that's capitalism innit.

Her money, not yours. Keeping on about it is counter productive. I would keep your views to yourself. She probably isn’t engaged in your type feminism and wants to make her own choices. Thats real feminism for me.

My DD is a bit older, earns a lot as a barrister and has the odd bit of lip filler. Who dares to say she’s insane? How judgy of you? Where the solidarity between women?

Equal opportunity? You think that’s happened do you? Many women would tell you it hasn’t. However having a bit of Botox etc isn’t just about work. It’s more about correcting what’s not as good as it can be and if you can afford it, why not? And why should she tell you why she has the injections? Nosy or what?

So tired of the proliferation of threads recently judging other women for what they do to their faces. Always likely dressed up as concern, always actually unpleasant judgment of another woman’s choice. Be better.

I didn’t have Botox until I was 50, it seems insane in the 20s age range.

I wonder how many of these people know that Botox is short for Botulism toxin.

Botulism is a serious and life-threatening illness caused by a bacteria, and the poisonous neurotoxins produced by this bacteria attack the nervous system and cause paralysis.

Why the fuck do people want that toxin to be injected in their face?

It’s more about correcting what’s not as good as it can be

That’s what’s so sad. Who decided bigger lips are better? That’s come from somewhere.

This. It is the second thread along the same vein I have read today. The faux concern about women's choices wrapped up in sneering judgment - it is so predictable, disappointing and tedious. Waiting for the posters to agree of course it is hideous all that frozen face, suits no-one, don't get me started on the lips.....just look after yourself and we will all do the same.

The AIBU would have been better phrased as 'AIBU to disagree with a colleague over her personal choices'. It's really none of your business what she does to her face.

Didn't take long eh?

Come on, let’s discuss it without being dicks to each other.

I had it to stop me clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth, results were better than I’d hoped for, worth every penny.

Why can’t women discuss women’s choices? No woman makes a choice in a vacuum.

Well, the NHS injects it into mine, so I would imagine it’s fine.

Botox uses purified, diluted doses.

If you're so concerned about this, I hope you don't drink fluoridated tap water.

You had it for sensible health reasons, so it worked well for you. Nobody's going to take issue with something like that.🙂

Oh look the 4th or 5th thread on this topic I’ve seen just this week, and every week is the same.

Be lovely if women stopped judging each other in this way.

It’s been used medically since the 50s and was first used to treat cross eyes. Soooooo it’s probably fine.

I don't know anyone, of any age, who thinks 'society requires' Botox. Quite a few of my friends have it but nobody thinks it's 'required' and I know women from a really wide range of social backgrounds.

She was probably just trying to get OP to fuck off with her intrusive questioning!

I personally don't understand the desire for it especially when being influenced by social media. But it isn't my body so it isn't my choice. If it makes someone feel more confident in their skin then that's what matters.

I believe it's the same as all body mods, it's fine until it becomes dangerous to their health (for example people who tattoo their eyeballs, or get split tongues, or have so much lip filler their lips are literally leaking). But even then it isn't my body so I have no right to say anything.

Concerned? I have no concerns at all.