Welcome to Keowee Aesthetics!
We are thrilled you are here and have decided to explore the multifaceted concept of beauty with us.
In this series each member of our team will highlight an attribute that attempts to define the concept of “what is beauty?” in greater depth.
There is a feeling you get after a new haircut or wearing a new outfit for the first time. That feeling creates more confident actions, behaviors and may even change your pattern of decision making. If you feel good about the way you look and that makes you feel more confident you might be willing to ask for that raise when talking to your boss or ask that someone who caught your eye out on a date. Why is changing something so simple so effective? I believe it is because beauty is translative. What I mean is that when we change our exterior for the better, we create a more confident self that translates into a change in our behavior.
We know from recent published clinical studies that when patients with depression are treated with neurotoxin injections, also known by the brand as Dysport, Botox and or Xeomin, that they report improvement in their mood, self-esteem and symptoms of depression also improve. A recent study from the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2021 reported that baseline depression scores dropped one month after facial botulinum toxin injections1. Although the exact mechanism is not known the translation from external appearance to improvement in mood and internal self is evidence to me that aesthetic medicine is more transformative and translative, with greater depth than superficiality.
A specific example came to mind when I reflect on how beauty is translative. I was treating a new patient in the clinic. She wanted to refresh herself and thought neurotoxin injections could be the answer. She never tried it before, and she shared with me that her 40th birthday was coming up. She explained that she felt like she put herself low on the list of priorities for too long being busy taking care of her “boy” family including 4 sons and a husband. She admitted to feeling like she missed out on the girlie stuff and that self-care was more of an afterthought than something of significance. Sadly, it also showed in her appearance. She looked exhausted, deflated and was wearing loose fitting lounge wear.
It reminded me of my days as a young mother. I recalled the struggle of just trying to get through the day. When a moment of peace and quiet to yourself was so rare it was cause for actual celebration. By the time the last child was asleep self-care seemed to be the furthest thing from reality. It was time to focus on the other chores that rarely got done during the day. In those days sleep was a luxury and that was my singular self-care activity; that and possibly a glass of wine. It is all too common a theme among mothers to neglect themselves while taking care of everyone else in the family.
When I saw my patient back in two weeks, I didn’t recognize her. She looked stunning! She was wearing full makeup including eyelashes. Her outfit was stylish, and confidence radiated from her as she smiled to greet me. She explained that when the injections took effect it made her wake up on the inside. She said that she felt “like my old self again…like me but someone I haven’t seen in a really long time”.
My patient explained further that she realized that it was time to make herself a priority again and start taking better care of herself. I think we can all appreciate the need to take better care of ourselves. Who knows what it could translate to in your life.
If you have been thinking about increasing your confidence about your appearance book a free consultation today!
M Khademi et al: The healing effects of facial Botox injections on symptoms of depression alongside its effects on beauty preservation. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 20 (5), 1411-1415, 2021.
