Cuban influencer Rachel Arderi sparked a wave of criticism on social media after posting a reel on Instagram where she showcases her second botox session and advocates for the preventive use of the procedure starting at age 18.
In the video published this Thursday, Arderi —aged 23— shares that she had already undergone a first treatment but hadn't revealed it publicly "because she wanted to be truly convinced and satisfied with the results." The procedure was performed at an aesthetic center in Miami.
"You don't have to wait until you're 40 or 50 years old to start getting Botox, because if you wait until that age, the process will become much more tedious for you, and it will take much longer to see the results," said the content creator in the reel.
Arderi argued that Botox has a preventive effect against expression lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes. She added that "even a person as young as 18 can start getting Botox," though she clarified that she did not intend to encourage anyone but rather to share information about aesthetic procedures that, according to her, are often misunderstood.
Reactions came swiftly. Some followers questioned both the personal decision and the message it conveys to her young audience. "Oh girl, don't give that advice to the youth; none of what you're saying is true, and many young girls who admire you are watching. You're having an influence on them. Very bad advice. At 23, you don't need Botox," wrote one user.
Other commentators were more direct in pointing out the misinformation. "Exactly, it's completely misinforming. At 18, they say you can start using it. My goodness, collagen loss actually begins around the age of 25," replied another follower.
A 27-year-old user shared her experience: "I tried to do it myself, but at the clinic they wouldn't let me; they gave me reasons, motives, and effects. I gave up and now I try to follow my routine with less harmful products. I just think that when she reaches my age, she'll look older."
Not all the comments were negative. Some followers supported her right to make decisions about her own body: "It's true that you don't need any aesthetic procedure; you are already beautiful without it. But if you want to do it for prevention, that's perfect."
Arderi is no stranger to controversy. In March of this year, she was criticized for appearing without filters or makeup at the gym, and on various occasions, she has publicly responded to her critics regarding her personal style and life choices.
From a medical standpoint, the debate surrounding preventive botox in young individuals lacks a uniform response. Specialists consulted by Infobae indicate that it could be appropriate with clinical indication for those aged 20 to 30, but they caution that for most young people without significant expression lines, there is no clear indication. They assert that the real prevention of skin aging mainly relies on the use of sunscreen and healthy habits.
Arderi closed her video with a reflection that summarizes her stance: "It's not that I don't want to get older or that I resist it, but I feel that as long as we can improve our body, our skin, our face, why not do it?"
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