Disclaimer: I wanted to share my experience as a black woman as I feel there needs to be more content and information out there about cosmetics treatments.  

Why did you get under-eye filler? 

Because I could. 

What was my real ‘why’? 

My why was that I was sick of looking in the mirror and seeing the sunken hollowness that were my eyes. Not only that, I have hereditary hyperpigmentation which means I always look tired no matter how much or how little sleep I get. It was either filler or spending ££££ on concealer. I mean I still use concealer, just not as much as before. I should also add that one of my ‘whys’ was I always said I was going to do my first cosmetic procedure at 30 – the age of maturity. Apparently. 

And this is not to say you are expired at 30 either. For me it was about being ‘here’ physically and mentally. 

And yes, I’ve Facetuned my under eye bags in the past.

Is social media to blame? 

To me. No. When it comes to image, it is such an individual journey that I don’t feel like talking about it most times. You’ll have the body positive warriors telling you to embrace your beauty one day and change it if you’re not happy with it the next. 

What is the standard of beauty? 

The topic of image is a debate we can have ALL THE TIME. At the end of the day, you never know what is going on in someone’s head, how they perceive themselves and how “society”, family and friends have an impact on them. Someone who is “perceived” to have the “perfect” face and body according to society may be fighting a battle in their head you’ll never know about.

Do. Your. Research. 

I cannot stress this enough when it comes to aesthetic Treatments. I use the rule of three – cheap/good/quick. If it’s cheap, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good and if it’s good it doesn’t mean it’s going to be cheap. 

I am very aware money is a factor when it comes to filler and Botox but I am a strong believer in getting what you pay for. These types of treatments should be done by a professional and in a professional environment. Too many times have I scrolled through Instagram profiles of ‘practitioners’ who do botox and fillers alongside a ton of other treatments. Some of them even do botox parties in a home setting. RED FLAGS EVERYWHERE. 

Some things to consider: 

• Have they got clear examples of their work? 
• Have you had a consultation? 
• Are they insured? 
• Are they registered with Companies House? 
• Are they board certified? 
• Can you contact them out of hours if any complications arise? 
• Is their work ‘too cheap’? 

SKNDOCTOR 

I went to a Melanin Beauty Live event back in 2018 where Doctor Ewoma also known as SKNDOCTOR did a panel where she broke down the science and the stigma around cosmetic procedures for WOC. It was then I knew I wanted her and her alone to do my procedure.

 Fast forward 2020 and me turning 30, I booked in for my treatment for August 1st 2020. 

Read more: It’s Kelle’s Space – Melanin Beauty Live round-up 

Me being me, I’d done all my research and I *personally* didn’t feel like I needed a consultation however I would highly recommend you do. And one blessing of COVID-19 is that they can be done virtually. This is your chance to ask all of the questions, no matter stupid you may think they sound. 

Pre-treatment

Read the guidance that your practitioner sends you. If they don’t send you any pre-guidance, this is a red flag.  

The actual treatment 

This is a good reference for what you can expect when you have your treatment done but all I can say is that (for me), it was painless. Numbing cream is applied beforehand and kicks in after 10-15 minutes, then the actual procedure takes less than 10 minutes. I understand see why people get botox on their lunch breaks now, it’s quicker than a manicure. 

Results 

You might not see an overall difference because you’re not me (this is 1000% true) but I see it. Overall, five months later at the time of publishing this (February 2021), I am super happy with my results and I would definitely do it again. The fillers last anything from 12-18 months but it is all down to the individual. Next time I might add a little botox (because I can), but I will definitely be going back to Skndoctor. 

Would you or have you ever considered an aesthetic procedure? 

Char xo 

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