✨ Everyone’s Talking About It (But No One’s Saying It)

jazmynearia
May 14
3 min read

Facelifts, Botox & the New Beauty Conversation

By Jazmyne van Gosliga

Anne Hathaway’s flawless 2025 Met Gala look. Lindsay Lohan’s refreshed glow. It’s no secret — something is happening in the beauty world. But while the signs are everywhere, the conversations? Still happening in whispers. We wanted to change that.

At Aboki, we’re not here to offer cosmetic services (duh we’re a hair salon, not a clinic!) — but we’re seeing more and more clients asking questions, wondering what’s real, and feeling like they’re the only one not doing anything. So, let’s break it down together.

💉 The Rise of “Tweakments”

These days, it's less about major overhauls and more about subtle, undetectable enhancements. We're seeing the rise of:

Baby Botox
Lip fillers
Non-surgical facelifts
Mini jawline tweaks
Under-eye smoothing

Many women in their 30s and 40s are opting for gentle refreshes — not to look different, but to look “well-rested.” But it's not just older generations anymore. People as young as 20 are starting Botox and fillers, not to age preventatively — but to reshape or enhance features they’ve seen on social media.

And that’s part of the issue...

📱 Social Media & “The New Normal”

Filters. Facetune. A never-ending stream of “perfect” faces.

It’s no surprise that social media is shaping the way people see themselves — and others. Studies are now showing that this constant comparison is contributing to younger people getting injectables to change their face before they’ve even seen a wrinkle.

At the same time, people are getting it done but not talking about it — which makes others feel even more isolated.

Here’s the truth: you’re not the only one noticing changes — and you’re not the only one trying something (even if no one’s admitting it).

🧠 Botox & Fillers: What They Actually Do

Botox is a brand of botulinum toxin type A — a purified protein injected in tiny doses to relax muscles and soften expression lines like frown lines, forehead creases, and crow’s feet.

It:

Temporarily reduces the appearance of dynamic wrinkles
Lasts 3–4 months
Doesn’t change your face — it just stops it from moving as much

Dermal Fillers (usually made from hyaluronic acid) are injected below the skin to restore volume or sculpt features like lips, cheeks, or the jawline.

They:

Add volume where it’s been lost or where it’s wanted
Last around 6–18 months depending on the product and area
Are commonly used for reshaping lips, under-eyes, or contouring

In short:

Botox relaxes muscles = smoother skin
Fillers add volume = contouring or reshaping

🇳🇿 What About Safety?

In New Zealand, cosmetic injectables must be administered by a qualified medical professional — like a nurse, doctor, or dentist. Our country takes this seriously because the face is filled with important nerves and blood vessels, and things can go wrong quickly in the wrong hands.

In countries like the UK, there are currently no strict regulations, and individuals with minimal training can legally inject after just a short course.

That’s why, even if you’re just curious — it’s important to find someone you trust, who will:

Put your safety first
Be honest about what’s necessary
Tell you when you don’t need something

And yes — someone who’s strong enough to say no when “just a little bit more” becomes too much.

💉 A Quick Recap: Botox & Fillers

Treatment	What it Does	How Long it Lasts
Botox	Relaxes muscles, softens expression lines	3–4 months
Fillers	Adds volume, enhances facial features	6–18 months

💬 A Note From Us

At Aboki, we’re not advocating for or against cosmetic treatments — this is simply a discussion piece with a topic that quietly brought up a lot and we want to open up the conversation.

We know ageing is personal, and everyone’s journey looks different. Whether you're all about natural ageing, considering injectables, or somewhere in between, we're here for open, honest dialogue — without judgement.

This article isn’t about telling you what to do — it’s about making space to talk about what so many are already quietly thinking.

🌿 The Natural Side of It

Not everyone is lining up for injectables — and you don’t have to. Many people are leaning into more holistic, skin-loving rituals instead:

Gua Sha & facial massage – For circulation, sculpting, and glow
Retinol, niacinamide & vitamin C – For skin texture, brightness, and cell turnover
Microneedling – To stimulate collagen and refine tone
LED therapy – Red light to support healing and long-term collagen
SPF every day – The most underrated anti-ageing essential