Experts reveal 2021 cosmetic injectable trends and what Botox, lip and cheek fillers, facial threads cost

Women are rushing to get cosmetic treatments in the hope of enhancing their looks after seeing themselves more than ever on Zoom calls. Here's what they are getting done and how much it costs.

Hyde Park cosmetic nurse injector Hannah Rivers with patient Debbie Rowe. Picture: Mark Brake

Kim Kardashian’s lips are out, and Bella Hadid’s ‘fox eyes’ are in when it comes to what’s trending in age-defying cosmetic face treatments.

And getting an enhancement has never been easier, more accessible or acceptable, with more than 3000 cosmetic clinics across the nation offering everything from Botox to jawline fillers, collagen stimulation, lip flips, non-surgical lifts and fat-dissolving injections.

An upsurge in cosmetic treatments on the back of Covid, can be explained in part by the “Zoom effect” — also coined the “Zoom boom” — which has people focusing on their own faces and seeing things such as double chins, wrinkles and eye bags while video conferencing.

“They are noticing things, such as frown and forehead lines, under the harsh downlights they haven’t before … (we’re seeing) Botox as the new lipstick,” Dr Jonathan Brown said.

Dr Brown’s newly-launched national search site CosmeticFinder shows there are 47 cosmetic clinics within a 10km radius of Adelaide’s central business district.

In a recent survey of its members, the Cosmetic Physicians College of Australasia (CPCA), found “an unprecedented surge in clinics seeing the emergence of new patients seeking non and minimally invasive procedures”.

The spike also reflects changing attitudes, says Dr Brown.

He says coyness around cosmetic treatments has lifted as people more freely admit to anti-wrinkle injections or other beauty-enhancing and rejuvenation procedures, costing anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per session.

“(We’ve research that shows) there has been a big shift over the past few years in terms of how many people tell their partners (about a treatment),” Dr Brown said.

“It is a lot less stigmatised and people are a lot more open than they used to be about injectables … they are just looking for something to make themselves feel a little fresher.”

Bella Hadid shows off the straight eyebrows trend known as ‘fox eye’. Picture: ACHE / AFP

Clinical psychologist Dr Ben Buchanan, who specialises in body image anxiety, agrees many cosmetic treatments are being “normalised”.

“I think it is becoming a cultural norm in Australia to get Botox, similar to having your hair coloured, getting braces and all sorts of other things,” he said.

Experts say people are now opting for more natural looks.

“There has definitely been a shift in the aesthetic people are going for … people used to bring in pictures of the Kardashians and say they wanted their lips like that but we don’t really see that now,” Melbourne-based Cityskin founder Dr Jonathan Brown said.

Laser Clinics Australia Adelaide (LCA) Adelaide clinic owner Casey Mudge agrees for many “rejuvenation rather than enhancement” is a priority in 2021.

SILK Laser co-founder and managing director Martin Perelman says there has been a “significant surge” in demand for cosmetic injectables with 91,000 treatments given across his clinics in the past 12 months, an increase of 63 per cent on the previous year.

“Historically, Australians would look to injectables to reduce wrinkles and to mainly enhance lips and cheeks … what’s changed is people are now looking more to skin tightening and rejuvenation,” he said.

“Clients are focusing on the texture of their skin so they can feel more confident makeup free.”

Cosmetic treatment trends and costs

So what’s most on-trend in 2021?

“I have many patients requesting fox eye, pixie noses and ‘snatched’ jawlines” says Self Cosmetic Science’s Hannah Rivers, who was last year voted SA’s best cosmetic injector in an online poll of The Advertiser readers.

As for the celebrity or influencer most often referred to by clients, for her it is Bella Hadid.

“These features include a sharp, defined jawline and chin, thinner neck and straight eyebrows (fox eye),” she says.

Here’s the top trends, compiled from industry experts and cosmetic practitioners across the nation:

1. ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS, such as Botox. Average cost, to treat three main areas of crows feet, forehead and frown is $450 to $500.

“(In 2021), Botox is the new lipstick,” says Melbourne-based Cityskin cosmetic doctor Jonathan Brown.

2. LIP FILLERS, or increasingly a treatment referred to as a “lip flip” which involves injecting anti-wrinkle into the top lip to turn it out.

“This can produce a nice subtle result without using filler and costs about a quarter of the cost of lip filler,” Dr Brown said.

Lip fillers are listed as costing between $380 and $570.

3. COLLAGEN THREADS are increasingly popular, the experts say. Dissolvable threads are used to lift the skin and stimulate new collagen production to create a plumper and more youthful complexion in a non-surgical-type facelift.

“PDO thread lifts involve the use of resorbable synthetic sutures made from the same materials as those used during surgery for wound closure, only with a different objective in mind … tightening the skin and reducing mild to moderate skin laxity,” TOX Aesthetics’ Libby Marshall said.

“Lifting Cog threads are priced between $950 and $4000 depending on the areas treated and last up to 2 years.

“Rejuvenation threads (mono threads) are performed six monthly and cost between $240 and $1000 depending on the area and how many threads are used.”

Self Cosmetic Science’s Hannah Rivers says she performs threading at least once a day, charging $3000 for lifting threads and $1000 for collagen threads.

4. CHIN AND JAWLINE FILLERS. Dermal fillers are used to extend and strengthen the jaw line and chin. Also referred to as ‘snatched jawline’.

“When it is done well you really can’t tell … it can be used by men to masculinise the face (think classic good-looking males who have a strong jawline such as Brad Pitt and Robert Redford),” Cityskin’s Dr Jonathan Brown said.

Jawline fillers cost from about $360, with chin fillers about the same.

5. CHEEK FILLERS. Dermal fillers are used to raise the volume of the area above and around the cheekbones. The cost will depend on what type of dermal fillers are used and how much of it is needed. It typically costs from $680 to over $2000.

Other popular treatments include laser hair removal (underarms, Brazilians and legs); skincare treatments such as micro-needling, microdermabrasion and dermal peels as well as

6. BODY CONTOURING, such as Coolsculpt and Emscuplt. “Body contouring is another growing category – demand continues to grow for less invasive body treatments … for fat reduction and muscle building,” says SILK Laser co-founder and managing director Martin Perelman. Prices generally range upwards of $850 for a session but typically cost between $2000 and $4000.

For Debbie Rowe injectables help her feel, as well as look, better. Picture: Mark Brake

Adelaide mum: Botox injections ‘absolutely life-changing’

For Adelaide mum Debbie Rowe cosmetic treatments are as much about feeling good as they are looking her best – literally.

The 48-year-old manufacturing company account manager has suffered chronic temporomandibular jaw pain for much of her adult life and recently discovered relief through Botox injections.

“It has been absolutely life-changing to be perfectly honest,” she said.

“The pain I used to suffer was intense, it was the combination of migraine pain, a toothache, a face ache … I had pressure in my face the whole time.

“The injections have alleviated the need for painkillers.”

It was through a chance discussion with her cosmetic nurse, Self Cosmetic Science’s Hannah Rivers – also a registered nurseand nurse practitioner candidate – she discovered the treatment option.

“I had problems for years and years and had seen a series of specialists about it, ranging from dentists to physiotherapists … an acupuncturist and no-one was able to provide me any relief,” she said.

Botox is injected into the masseter muscles, near the cheekbones, to prevent clenching and grinding of teeth.

As well as offering pain relief, there has been an added aesthetic benefit as well.

“Before I had a masculine jawline but the injections have helped soften my face and taken away that masculine, square-looking jaw,” she said.

Ms Rowe also invests in other beauty treatments, such as threading to stimulate collagen.

“I have always looked after my skin and I reached a point where I noticed my skin changing,” she said.

“For me, it is about looking and feeling the best I can at the age I am … it is not about expecting to look 20 again but just doing something to make ourselves feel better and to be happy with our skin – most of my friends also have Botox and threading.

“If it makes you feel better about yourself, for whatever reason, why not do it?

“My daughter is 27 and she and her friends are already starting to get into these things … it is definitely more common and there is less judgment than there once was.”