I got Botox for the first time before my wedding. And I regretted it.
I want to start by saying this is not a one-size-fits-all conversation. I know so many people who love Botox. This isn’t me trying to hate on it or tell you what to do. But I do want to share my experience - because I think it speaks to something bigger, especially for brides and women in their 20s navigating the world of botox, filler, and “anti-aging.”
The Pressure to Look Your “Best” on Your Wedding Day
I was 24 when I got Botox. And if I’m being honest, I wasn’t even a major contender for it. Even now, I don’t think people would look at me and think, “Wow, she could benefit from some botox.” I’m 27 for crying out loud!
But leading up to my wedding, I felt this subtle pressure to look my absolute best. No one directly told me to get Botox. No one pressured me. But I had seen TikToks. I had heard friends talk about it. It just kind of became this unspoken “Oh… suddenly I’ve found a new ‘problem’ that I should probably ‘fix.’”
And that’s the part I think is worth paying attention to. Because the loudest pressure wasn’t external: it was the quiet, sneaky kind, developed over the course of a long time from doom scrolling and listening to voices on the internet.
My Botox Experience (What I Didn’t Expect)
I got Botox in my “11s” (the lines between your eyebrows). And the biggest thing for me? It froze my face. Not in a dramatic, obvious way, but enough that in some of my wedding photos, I just don’t look like myself. That was the part that surprised me the most. It wasn’t that something went “wrong.” I didn’t have a bad injector (I have friends who go to her and love their results). But for me, I just didn’t love the way it looked. And that’s something I wish more people talked about: Even if something is “normal” and “done well,” it still might not feel like you - whether that’s in terms of how it looks or how it feels (and impacts your ability to express those feelings).
What Happened After (And What It Taught Me)
Here’s the interesting part…I haven’t gotten Botox since. And I haven’t even thought about getting it again. Which says a lot. Because now, I still have signs of getting older, and they just don’t bother me. That realization was kind of a turning point. It made me step back and ask: “Was that actually something I wanted… or was I just convinced by culture that something was wrong with me?” And I think, for me, it was the second one. Before this botox trend, I had no idea what “11s” were - and I especially didn’t see anything wrong with them.
Let’s Talk About “Anti-Aging”
We live in a world that is constantly telling women to fix, smooth, prevent, and reverse. Especially in your 20s. Especially as a bride. But personally, as a Christian, I wish I would have paused and asked myself: What am I actually chasing?
Because aging isn’t a flaw. It’s not something I want to be at war with. It’s a reflection of a life being lived. That doesn’t mean I can’t care about my skin. That doesn’t mean I can’t invest in skincare. But I do think it’s worth checking my why.
What I Wish I Had Done Instead
Looking back, I wish I had explored more natural options first. There are so many alternatives:
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Prioritizing skincare
Supporting your body with things like collagen (this strawberry lemonade one is actually tasty) -
Getting a hydrafacial at a local medical spa
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Using tools like facial patches (it’s amazing what some Frownies can do - you can also find them here)
I think if I had done those things first, I would have felt more confident in my decision, whatever it ended up being. Instead, I kind of jumped straight to the most extreme option.
If You’re Considering Botox Before Your Wedding…
I support you. Truly. This isn’t me telling you not to do it. But I am saying: Pause. Think about it. Ask yourself where the desire is coming from. Because if you’re anything like me, you might realize: you’re already completely fine as you are (more than fine, actually - but that’s a pep talk for another day, my fellow child of God).
I just didn’t want you to only hear one side. So many people will tell you to get it. So many people love it. But from a 27-year-old who tried it before her wedding…I wish I hadn’t. And if sharing that helps even one person make a more thoughtful, informed decision, it’s worth it.