Beyond Botox and Beauty Norms: Embracing Choice in the Pursuit of Self-Confidence

Exploring the controversies and personal choices in cosmetic procedures and weight loss

The pursuit of beauty and maintaining a youthful look are fuel for some of the biggest industries in the world.

Botox was once the hush-hush trick of celebs and rich folks, all about staying as fresh-faced as they were at 22.

When a celebrity like Nicole Kidman or Gwyneth Paltrow, known for their ‘all-natural, no work-done’ vibe, hit the red carpet, people would be up in arms, throwing around Botox accusations.

How dare they do anything to their appearance to feel their best when being photographed??

Botox has many uses.

It’s been proven to be a preventative form of keeping your skin on your face tight and wrinkle-free.

It has both medical and cosmetic uses, and some people find it effective in reducing excessive sweating, such as in the underarm area.

Dentists use it as a cure for jaw pain and bruxism.

It can also treat neck spasms, help an overactive bladder, and repair a lazy eye. Botox shots may also help prevent migraines.

I get Botox.

I love Botox.

So why do I get it?

I have two very distinct lines between my eyebrows that I call my “angry bird lines.”

When I’m driving, and I look in the rearview mirror, I don’t see the traffic behind my car; I see years of being pissed off and my morning makeup making a new home in the creases of my face.

It’s a vicious cycle of the lines annoying me, and because I’m annoyed at the lines, I frown more, and then the lines get worse!

Why should I feel bad about myself because of a facial reaction I didn’t choose to have?

I don’t have to.

I can get Botox, and so I do.

It’s now accepted in society. It’s perfectly normal. Everyone does it. And now everyone talks about it.

But Saxenza or Ozempic?

Absolutely not.

It is completely unacceptable to use it. To even admit to using it makes you an absolute monster.

Why?

Unless you have diabetes or are morbidly obese and have associated health risks, you are a terrible person if you take a weight-loss injection.

Especially if you are at or below the average healthy weight of the national average.

The only crime in taking these medications is that you are purchasing doses that are hard to get and hard to find and that are needed for those with actual medical health conditions.

I do see the issue there.

It’s okay to take diet pills.

People are only judged for that because diet pills are dangerous and can cause heart attacks, mood swings, and many other detrimental side effects.

It’s ok to get a boob job, a tummy tuck, or surgery to remove excess skin after a dramatic amount of weight loss. That is all perfectly reasonable.

But for an average-sized woman to inject herself with a weight-loss medication, well, that is deemed the carnal sin of beauty regimes.

While some may argue that weight-loss injections are unnecessary and potentially dangerous, it is important to note that Saxenda and Ozempic are FDA-approved medications that have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation for their safety and efficacy (FDA, 2021).

Additionally, healthcare professionals who carefully evaluate the patient's medical condition and decide on the best course of treatment prescribe these medications.

The potential side effects and risks are discussed with the patients, ensuring informed decision-making and monitoring throughout treatment.

I know so many women who are on Saxenza or who have taken Ozempic.

Every one of them was a perfect weight before they started. Some had maybe five kilos to lose. Some had less or more.

Who are we to judge them because they feel uncomfortable in their skin? Why do we care if they are unhappy that their jeans are too tight? Or if they have developed a menopausal tummy pooch that no healthy eating or exercise can get rid of?

If taking Saxenza or Ozempic is what they need to feel good, who cares? I don’t.

Duromine is used to reduce body weight in obese or overweight patients. Is taking Saxenza or Ozempic better than when these women used to get Duramine tablets and spend all day angry and hungry? It’s better than a heart attack from diet pills.

It’s better than drinking copious amounts of alcohol.

It’s better than a cocaine addiction.

So maybe it’s time everyone just stopped judging other people for their choices?

If Saxenza were freely available for those who needed it for medical reasons, then there would be no reason for all the stigma.

There would be no reason to keep it a hidden secret.

Celebrities like Erika Jayne from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Kardashians could live a life without scrutiny of their weight.

Placing judgment on women for choosing their method of weight loss is just another form of tearing women down.

It’s time to let these women do up their jeans comfortably, and if that makes them happy, maybe you need to ask yourself, “Why does it bother you so much?”

Everyone should have the right to make choices about their bodies without facing criticism or judgment. The focus should be on empowering women to feel confident and comfortable in their skin rather than tearing them down for their weight-loss methods.