A Father-Daughter Journey into the World of Botox
My father, Anthony, a 55-year-old retired NYPD detective who grew up in the Bronx and was present during the September 11 terrorist attacks, isn’t typically the type to worry about wrinkles. However, when I entered the beauty industry, his perspective shifted. My dad has always been unwaveringly supportive of me and my brother, showing interest in whatever we do. So, when I started writing for beauty publications, he felt compelled to stay updated with the latest trends. He read all my articles and quizzed me about everything from hyperpigmentation to fine lines.
Three years ago, when I first noticed creases forming on my forehead, I complained to my father. “Welcome to the club,” he replied. Now 29, forehead wrinkles are the one skin issue we both share. To combat my lines, I regularly receive Botox injections, and I’m pleased with the results. Seeing this, my dad decided to try it a couple of years ago, despite his friends’ teasing. Unfortunately, his first experience wasn’t ideal.
“The first time I got Botox, I had this Spock-like appearance—I looked like a villainous cartoon character,” he recounts. “I thought something was wrong with my eyebrows, so I shaved one to even them out. My wife couldn’t stop laughing at how ridiculous I looked.”
Understandably, he was hesitant to try again. But in honor of Father’s Day, I convinced him to have a father-daughter day at the dermatologist and give Botox another shot. We trusted Dr. Sheryl D. Clark, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, and documented our appointment. Here’s the derm’s advice on avoiding botched brows after Botox, the reasons many men are seeking treatment, and our final results.
Related: 8 Times When Your Injector Might Suggest Getting Botox Before Filler
The Appointment
Dr. Clark: What concerns you about your forehead, and why are you considering Botox?
Anthony: As I age, I’ve noticed more and more wrinkles that I used to ignore. Looking at old photos, I still see myself as 27, but it’s clear I no longer look that young. Sometimes, when I pass a mirror, I think, ‘Who is that person?’ It really surprises me!
Dr. Clark: Have you tried Botox before?
Anthony: Yes, I had a bad experience a few years ago—my eyebrows turned into an upside-down V shape whenever I moved them. Why did that happen, and could it be fixed?
Dr. Clark: Yes, that could have been corrected by injecting a small amount of Botox into the lateral frontalis muscle [on the outer edge of the forehead]. Some people have a very strong central frontalis muscle, while others have a smaller lateral component. If you have this, when you relax the central frontalis muscle, the lateral frontalis muscle sections will overcompensate, trying to raise your brow even higher, resulting in the ‘owl’ look you experienced.
Julie: How will you treat my dad’s forehead today to achieve a more natural look?
Dr. Clark: I will reduce the forehead furrows by injecting along the central and lateral frontalis muscles and also relax the glabellar lines with Botox. To improve his crow’s-feet, we’ll inject along the sides of the eyes as well.
Julie: Are you seeing an increase in the number of men coming in for injections?
Dr. Clark: Absolutely. For many men, it’s their first procedure. Surprisingly, it’s not really about wanting to be more confident and comfortable at work or even to enhance their dating life—which is what people often assume about men who want Botox. Instead, it’s simply that they wish to look younger and, overall, better.
Julie: None of my dad’s friends would get Botox with their daughters, so I appreciate that my dad is willing to try it with me. Do you think men perceive there to be a stigma?
Dr. Clark: I do believe that for older men, there’s a significant barrier they must overcome where they don’t want to feel judged. They don’t want to feel vain. So, even if they desire it, they’re not entirely comfortable enough to try it. It takes them a bit longer to reach the point where they feel comfortable enough to even mention it to me.
Julie: Interesting! As a 29-year-old, I want Botox to smooth the fine lines that have begun to develop across my forehead and prevent future lines from emerging. What are your thoughts on that?
Dr. Clark: That’s feasible. For you, we’ll apply Botox along the brows to give them a slight lift. We’ll address the procerus muscles [between the brows] and the corrugator muscles [right above the center of the brows]. Once these muscles are relaxed, the forehead lines will soften.
Julie: Perfect! Is there anything else we need to be aware of to keep our foreheads line-free?
Dr. Clark: Yes. If you truly aim to improve these furrows in the long term, you must return and have [the injections] repeated before the Botox is completely gone. It’s similar to keeping your arm in a cast—the muscles shrink when you can’t use them. But if you wait until you’ve fully recovered from it, they’ll grow again, and it’ll be more challenging to smooth them out. However, if you maintain the appointments and come back when there’s approximately 40% of your Botox remaining, then your muscles actually remain smaller and you have a greater chance of keeping those lines flattened.
Related: 4 Reasons Men Are More Open Than Ever About Getting Plastic Surgery
The Results
Approximately eight days after our appointment, my dad and I have minimal movement in our foreheads and, consequently, improved lines. Since I’ve received regular Botox injections over the past few years, I don’t notice a significant difference in my appearance. My forehead remains as smooth and sleek as an ice rink. There isn’t a single fine line etched on its surface.
“My forehead lines undoubtedly look smoother, and I didn’t end up with terrifying Spock brows this time,” my dad told me once the effects took hold. “I feel much better about getting Botox in the future.”
As an added bonus, our father-daughter day at the dermatologist was an extraordinary bonding experience. We shared many laughs during our appointment, and it was touching to see how excited my dad was to participate in one of my work-related tasks. As far as pre-Father’s Day celebrations go, this was undoubtedly one to remember.
