Taylor Penny: I’m only 20 but four injectors wanted to give me anti-wrinkle treatments

Journalist Taylor Penny investigates what happens behind closed doors when young people book in to get anti-wrinkle injections.

I’m only 20, so I’ve never really worried about wrinkles.

The idea of anyone my age accessing Botox is absurd to me.

But some of my friends have had lip filler or anti-wrinkle injections and the reality is people are turning to cosmetic procedures at younger and younger ages.

I wanted to learn more and shine a light on how and why this is happening – so I booked in for four consultations with different injectors to see if any of them would treat me, despite my age.

It’s important to note that for the majority of clinics I called, a $50 deposit was required.

A deposit that – for the most – was only refundable in the form of another purchase at the clinic.

Journalist Taylor Penny wanted to see if injectors would turn her away due to her age. Picture: Mark Stewart

One might say this is the first trap I experienced.

Each consultation was eye-opening, every nurse – although friendly – pointed out a different faint line I hadn’t noticed before – one that I wasn’t worried about to start with.

During my first consultation, I was sold the idea that I should get Botox between my brows (frown lines) to “prevent the lines from forming”.

For this, I was quoted $198, for approximately 12 units of Botox.

When I showed some concern about my need for the treatment, she told me to come back at 25.

At the beginning of the following appointment, the nurse immediately pulled me to a mirror and asked me to point out my biggest insecurities.

Drawing upon this, she recommended I get two areas done – my frown lines and forehead lines – which she would use Leytbo for.

Journalist Taylor Penny visited four different injectors. Picture: Mark Stewart

When I asked her about the differences between the anti-wrinkle products available, I was told there were none.

Quoting me $158 for one area and $252 for two areas, she said an additional $35 would be needed for a video call with a doctor who would provide the product.

When asking her if it was necessary for a 20-year-old to receive such treatment, she said “we see 18, 19 and 20-year-olds all the time.”

The following clinic nurse said I needed a total of 28 units, equating to $350.

Of these, 12 were to go into my forehead and 16 between the brows.

Unlike the two other clinicians, this nurse informed me I had to get each area done together (she would not treat them separately).

Her reasoning was that she would inject me “twice a year so that rejection doesn’t occur”, something that was never mentioned by other nurses.

Within the final appointment, I felt extremely pressured to receive the treatments.

Instead of encouraging me to think about my decision, this nurse was eager to treat me with $317 worth of Dysport on the spot.

Within this quote, a top-up after two weeks was complimentary.

Upon questioning why I would be treated with Dysport, she told me it “spreads out more,” meaning less injections were necessary.

Although this nurse was more pushy than the rest, she was the only one to run me through the risks and side-effects of the procedure in addition to making sure I knew the correct after-care.

Each clinic gave different answers to the same questions, leading to my confusion surrounding products, side-effects, longevity and timing of treatments.

After each consult, I felt like nurses were selling me treatments that weren’t necessary, or were based on what they thought I wanted, not needed.

Pointing out faint lines and creases that were only visible when I scrunched my face in ways that I normally never would, the experience made me question the necessity of these treatments.

Are they designed to help women gain confidence in their appearance, or to make profit on their insecurities?

Originally published as Taylor Penny: I’m only 20 but four injectors wanted to give me anti-wrinkle treatments