From the Underground to the Mainstream – How Injectables Have Taken to Innovation
An in-depth look at one injector’s journey into the internet age, and some challenges faced along the way.
Injectables have been around since the late 1990s, and what used to be “underground” medicine is now part of cosmetic mainstream. No one wanted anyone to know they were getting injections. The early days of injectables were shady, but nowadays you can't turn on your TV or go online without seeing people talking about getting their faces done. Let's take an adventure back into those dark times where face injections still seemed sketchy--but now? It seems almost natural...Fast forward a few decades and face injections are now part of our collective souls. We chat with our friends about our favorite injectable providers in the Whole Foods aisle and refer them to our go-to headshot practices. How did we get here? How did injectables go from being an underground procedure to a mainstream phenomenon? Let's take a look.
The Power of Social Media
One of the biggest drivers of the mainstreaming of injectables is social media. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, sites like Facebook and Instagram didn't exist. If you wanted to share something with your friends, you had to do it in person or over the phone. This made it easy for people to keep their injection habits on the down low.
Now, social media is everywhere. We post pictures of ourselves at our favorite restaurants, on vacation, and even at the doctor's office getting injections. Online influencers have also played a role in making injectables mainstream. By sharing their experiences with their followers, they've helped destigmatize injectables and made them more acceptable in mainstream society.
In addition, studies have shown that seeing pictures of other people getting injections can make people more likely to get injections themselves. When we see someone we admire or aspire to be like getting injections, we're more likely to want to try it ourselves. So social media has not only helped make injectables more acceptable, but it's also helping drive demand for these procedures.
Better Products, Better Results
Another reason why injectables have become so popular is that the products themselves have gotten better over time. The first generation of facial fillers was made from materials that were not well-tolerated by the body and often resulted in visible lumps and bumps under the skin. Today's facial fillers are made from materials that are much better tolerated and produce much more natural-looking results. Innovation has brought us products, such as the RHA collection In addition, newer generation facial fillers last much longer than older versions – some last up to two years!
Improved injection techniques have also contributed to better results. Providers who specialize in injecting fillers have developed new ways to place the product under the skin so that it looks more natural. We can also tailor treatments specifically for each patient so that patients get the best possible results. Look for injectors that are certified as opposed to master, expert or advanced!
Injectables have come a long way from being an underground procedure to becoming a mainstream phenomenon. Thanks to social media, improved products, and better injection techniques, more and more people are embracing injectables as a way to achieve their desired look. If you've been thinking about trying injectables but haven't taken the plunge yet, there's no better time than now!
