How To Be Practical About Aesthetic Treatments On A Budget

Beautiful woman is about to be injected with dermal filler in her cheeks
Who can forget the 'Botox parties' of the 2010s? As a true indicator of simpler times, an organizer would join forces with an injector to offer neurotoxin aesthetic treatments on a budget for a wide group of attendees. It was a win for guests looking to save a buck, and a win for the injector who could collect a large sum of money in one sitting. Guests would receive their treatment (for better or worse) at someone's house, and be on their way.
In 2025, however, with endless technology and commonplace plastic surgery, Botox and dermal fillers are just a tip of the iceberg. As board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Mueller puts it, the 'crazy' Groupon codes of the early aughts just aren't cutting it anymore. Today's beauty consumer is 'much more savvy,' he says, thanks to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. But consumers still aren't past cutting corners where they can.
'I just saw a patient the other day who went to a provider who charged one fee for an infinite amount of filler or Botox,' the Beverly Hills-based doctor says. 'This person didn't even know what had been injected, and they had an over-filling of the area underneath the eye, where the patient didn't even need to have filler. The patient needed to have a lower blepharoplasty or lower eyelid lift.'
The desire to stop at nothing to achieve an ideal look comes as no surprise, based on a global Pillars of Confidence study recently conducted by Merz Aesthetics. Among the 15,000 adults surveyed, 72% said aesthetic treatments impact how they view themselves. Aging is unsurprisingly a critical factor in the decision to receive said treatments, as 47% in the study said they don't want to be perceived as someone older, and 35% are worried the beauty they had when they were younger will fade as they get older. Only 18% said they were excited about getting older.
The first step to assessing aesthetic treatments on a budget is taking the time to meet with a qualified practitioner. Their job is to guide based on an individual's specific needs, age and work they've already had done. Detailed research is key, and a quick fix option may require even more treatments down the line to make up for error.
'A lot of these treatments are happening in a really transactional environment,' explains Dr. Shannon Humphrey, a Canadian cosmetic dermatologist and Merz Aesthetics global key opinion leader. 'Maybe it's the med spa in the corner, where someone's calling up and saying, I want filler, how much does it cost? Or, is X how much it costs? Will you do the filler? It's a pervasive strategy of care that's called transactional. It's important to understand that a medical aesthetic procedure is sold as a commodity, like retail, when really it's a type of medicine. It should happen after a thorough consultation, a discussion and deeper understandings of risks, benefits and alternatives.'
Jennifer Gerace, a paramedical licensed esthetician in Beverly Hills, says, 'Everyone these days is on a budget—and I truly believe that looking and feeling your best shouldn't be a luxury reserved for a few. My approach begins with really listening to my client's concerns, goals and financial boundaries. From there, we co-create a treatment plan that's both effective and economically sustainable. I'm a firm believer in transparency and education. Instead of pushing unnecessary add-ons, I guide clients toward what's truly beneficial for their skin, and skip what they don't need. Budgeting isn't about doing less, it's about doing smarter.'
Where a med spa, for example, may encourage 'filler after filler after filler,' Dr. Mueller says, 'Eventually that adds up and a patient may want to consider coming in for a surgical procedure, where we use fat grafting, which lasts a lifetime.'
Some argue that aesthetics are all or nothing, and if a patient chooses to care about their skin, there must be a dedicated budget.
'People can really think about the value of looking young,' Dr. Mueller says. 'I think aesthetics should be part of everyone's budget. It should be part of what people consider when they look at their finances to take care of their skin. I mean that's the largest organ of the body. It's the most exposed to the elements, and it's important for us to allocate some resources to take care of that.'
According to Netherlands-based aesthetics physician Dr. Daria Voropai, a beauty budget should be set aside in the same way as any other budget.
'You need to have a beauty budget like you have a budget for travel,' the Merz Aesthetics global key opinion leader says. 'If you have a beauty budget, in the year we can plan out your treatments. If you have a big budget, you can go all the way. If you have a small budget, we pick and choose. But for every budget, there's aesthetics. If you have a little budget, please take care of your skin, because that's your outer version. Sunscreen, hat, that's already 50 to 80%. Light lasers, good skincare routine, exfoliators, antioxidants.'
Part of determining how that aesthetics budget should be spent is figuring out how you will age.
'We have a lot of women who need treatments to calm down their muscles,' she says. 'Are you prone to swelling? Then you have to shrink a little bit of your anatomical layers in order for it not to pop out. How you're going to age is something that you need to educate yourself on. How does my mother look? You pick out those points and you work on them.'
Confident woman smiling under a beautiful sky
While aesthetic treatments can amplify preexisting confidence, they can't create it. They also can't serve as a one-and-done solution to appearance goals. So before considering aesthetic treatments on a budget, it's crucial for a patient to think longterm.
'When I'm sitting in front of a patient, I assess them and make sure they're mentally ready to have an aesthetic procedure,' Dr. Mueller says. 'I want to make sure that they're motivated for the right reasons, and that they also have realistic expectations about what we're going to do.'
Lifestyle plays a major role in the aftermath of any treatment, and Dr. Mueller ensures his patients are aware a treatment will not fix their problems.
'We talk to our patients about how it is important to live a healthy life, a balanced life,' he says. 'We ask if they're experiencing any major life events, and how important it is to hold off on doing a procedure until those events have reached a steady state. Certainly, things like meditation and a healthy work-life balance are all very important, and I think it's all tied into the holistic approach.'
Even when it comes to cutting-edge body contouring technology like BodyFX, Emsculpt Neo, and Pure Impact by Sofwave, the machines will only do so much.
'Regular exercise, a balanced diet and staying well-hydrated will maximize fat reduction and skin tightening,' explains Limor Dawoody, PA-C MPAP, of Le Jolie Medi Spa in West Hollywood.
And even then, you may still need to combine multiple modalities to 'take results to the next level,' she says. 'I've seen clients who commit to combinations like BodyFX and Emsculpt Neo walk away with jaw-dropping transformations. They look more toned, lean and sculpted than they ever thought possible.'
Once a patient achieves the look they set out to achieve, the actual aesthetics are half the battle, according to Dr. Humphrey.
'Treatments can only deliver a positive psychological benefit for patients who are already confident,' she says. 'Patients must have good self-esteem. They must have a strong sense of self. And they have to be able to articulate what subtle changes will improve their confidence. They don't work for people who are very self-conscious. They don't work for people who have a deeper issue around self-esteem or psychological or mental health. Patients who basically don't like themselves will not like themselves more if you change a subtle physical appearance.'
If a person is unhappy to begin with, they can easily be subject to the perception shift paradigm.
'The perception of patients receiving aesthetic care can drift from one negative feature to another,' Dr. Humphrey explains. 'They have a bump on the nose, they get that fixed, and then they see the upper lip is too small, and then they get the upper lip fixed, and they notice they have chin retrusion, and they get the chin retrusion fixed, and then they notice their eyebrows are too big, and then they get that fixed. It's scary and sad.'
Limor Dawoody, PA-C MPAP, performs an Emsculpt body sculpting treatment on a client
The harsh reality of aesthetic treatments on a budget (of any size) is the process is a lifelong commitment.
'Even when patients ditch the treatments and say, should I just get surgery and then be done with it?, they're not done with it,' Dr. Humphrey says. 'You just have a new baseline, right? And then you still need all these other things to age well.'
And for patients who opt for next-gen body technology, they aren't one-and-done treatments.
'While noticeable results can begin after just one or two sessions, we always emphasize that these technologies are most effective when performed as part of a series,' explains Dawoody. 'Consistency amplifies results and helps them last longer. Think of it like going to the gym—you'll feel a difference after one session, but the transformation happens over time.'
In the days of Groupon and Botox parties, aesthetic treatments on a budget may have done a patient dirty. But in 2025, these options aren't the only way out. Utilizing social media to find a highly certified practitioner is the best first step. Even if a patient doesn't have the budget to meet their aesthetic treatment goals, an expert can at least guide them to best at-home skincare and practices.
'On a limited budget, people should go to the basics,' Dr. Mueller says. 'Don't go to the department store to buy your skincare. Go to a physician. Go to a person who has vetted out skincare and who is really interested in taking good care of you, not taking your money. Sunscreen and things like Retin-A are inexpensive and very effective. Proper hydration, staying out of the sun, living a healthy life, minimizing alcohol intake, not smoking—all those sorts of things are going to help a person with a limited budget, and also help them maintain a stable weight.'
Easy skincare practices can also include everyday tools and routines, with occasional trips to professionals.
'Sometimes the most affordable thing you can do is invest in treatments that support the skin's ability to regenerate over time,' Gerace says. 'This includes modalities like facial acupuncture, lymphatic drainage techniques or even face yoga. These are holistic, effective and empowering for the client. At the end of the day, aesthetics on a budget is about value, not just price. It's about creating a plan that delivers visible results, supports skin health and respects the client's wallet.'
Above all else, it's important to remember that aesthetic treatments on a budget of any kind don't make a difference if a patient is unhappy inside. Treatments can act as a Band-Aid, they don't fix the heart of the problem. They also aren't a one-and-done thing, so it's key to keep a budget ongoing.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

New York Post

an hour ago

• New York Post

Dear Abby: My boyfriend scolds me in public — and makes me apologize to strangers

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend embarrassed me when he told me to apologize to a woman standing behind him in line at the market. He was about to pay for the groceries when I said I'd run to get an item I had forgotten. It took less than a minute, and the order was still being rung up. When I went back to include the item, he ordered me loudly to apologize to the woman standing in line behind him. Abby, he was still paying! She wasn't even in line when I went to get the mustard. Because he was still there, I thought he had told her he was waiting for me. Advertisement It's not the first time he's done something like this. I don't think I did anything wrong, and even if I did, he could have told me privately and not made me feel like a misbehaving child. I would feel different if we had left the checkout line, but he hadn't. I thought he was holding the line for me. — NOT A CHILD IN FLORIDA DEAR NOT A CHILD: If there had been a long line, I can understand that running back to fetch the mustard might have caused a serious inconvenience. Because there wasn't, your boyfriend should not have embarrassed you the way he did. Since it wasn't the first time he has done something like this, assume that he derives satisfaction from doing it. Think hard about whether you really want a future with a partner like him. (I know I wouldn't.) DEAR ABBY: I have hemifacial spasm (HFS), a relatively rare disorder characterized by random and uncontrollable spasms on one side of the face. HFS can sometimes be alleviated through surgery and/or treated with Botox injections. HFS makes social contact challenging when the face contorts for no apparent reason, sometimes with accompanying speech slurring. Advertisement In my case, surgery was unsuccessful, and my only option is Botox, which leaves one eye wider open and my mouth unable to move naturally or smile on one side. I'm learning to accept this facial asymmetry as my new normal, but I'm not there yet. I'm self-conscious about having my photo taken, but camera-wielders insist and persist. Can you help me with a response I can use to those photo-takers who refuse to take no for an answer, or worse, tell me to 'just smile,' something I can no longer do? — SELF-CONSCIOUS IN THE MIDWEST DEAR SELF-CONSCIOUS: I have several suggestions about your problem. The first is that not everyone is equally talented in administering Botox. Is the person administering yours a dermatologist? Whether the answer to this question is yes or no, it might benefit you to consult more than one. Advertisement Because you are sensitive about having your picture taken, point out to the picture-taker that either you prefer not to be photographed, and why, or explain that you WILL NOT be smiling for obvious reasons. Another thought: Consider positioning yourself so your more photogenic side faces the camera, as many celebrities do when they are asked to pose. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Time Business News

4 hours ago

• Time Business News

Your Guide to Botox and Lip Fillers in El Segundo

If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, 'Hmm, maybe just a little boost,' you're not alone. Botox and lip fillers have become incredibly popular, especially among people who want a natural, refreshed look without surgery. In El Segundo, more and more locals are discovering the power of subtle cosmetic treatments. Whether it's smoothing out a few lines or adding volume to your lips, the right provider can make all the difference. That's why so many people are turning to this clinic, known for its careful work and personalized results. Let's clear up the myths first. Botox isn't about 'freezing your face.' It's a simple treatment that relaxes the muscles under your skin, mostly in areas where fine lines form from repeated facial expressions like frowning or smiling. It's FDA-approved and has been used safely for years. Most people use Botox to reduce lines around the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes (those 'crow's feet'). Treatments take just 10–15 minutes, and you can go back to your day right after. The results appear within a few days and can last three to four months. It's not permanent, which means you can always adjust how much or how little you want in future visits. Lip fillers are perfect if you want fuller, smoother, or more balanced lips. Most fillers today use hyaluronic acid—a substance your body already makes. It adds volume and shape in a way that feels soft and natural. You don't need to go for an over-the-top look. In fact, many people use fillers to correct asymmetry or just add a touch of definition. The procedure usually takes under 30 minutes, and results are immediate. Swelling may happen for a day or two, but it's usually mild. With proper care, lip fillers can last from 6 months to a full year. Most adults are good candidates, but your provider will always check your medical history to make sure it's safe for you. These treatments are great for: ● People see early signs of aging ● Anyone wanting subtle improvements ● Those preparing for events like weddings or reunions ● People who want to boost their confidence What's important is going to a qualified injector. You don't want just anyone putting a needle in your face. A licensed expert knows how to enhance your natural features, not change them. If it's your first time, don't worry. Most clinics make the process easy and comfortable. Here's how it usually works: 1. Consultation: You'll talk about what you want, ask questions, and get expert advice. 2. Prep: The provider may mark the treatment areas and apply a numbing cream if needed. 3. Injection: It takes just minutes to do the actual injections. 4. Aftercare: You'll get tips on how to avoid swelling or bruising, like skipping alcohol or heavy workouts for a day. You may be surprised by how quick and simple the whole thing is. Myth 1: Botox and fillers are only for older people. Truth: Many younger people use these treatments to prevent lines before they form. Myth 2: You'll look fake or 'done.' Truth: When done right, the results look natural and fresh—not frozen or overfilled. Myth 3: It's super painful. Truth: Most people say it feels like a tiny pinch or quick sting. Plus, numbing options help. Don't just look at price—look at experience and reputation. Read reviews. Check before-and-after photos. Ask how many years they've been doing this work. A great provider listens, explains clearly, and never pressures you into getting more than you need. Also, make sure the place is clean, licensed, and uses approved products. You deserve the best care for your face. Getting Botox or lip fillers or any form of cosmetic help isn't about changing who you are. It's about feeling confident in your skin and doing something for you . Whether you're after smoother skin or fuller lips, a little enhancement can go a long way when done right. Ready to explore your options in El Segundo? A good first step is booking a consultation and asking questions. You'll be amazed at how small changes can lead to a big boost in self-esteem. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

Vogue

7 hours ago

• Vogue

The 'Cortisol Cocktail' Isn't Just Delicious—It Also Works

We don't need data to confirm that we're stressed—but there are countless studies and polls out there doing it. Case in point: The most recent Censis-Eudaimon Report, which revealed that 31.8% of people feel close to burnout due to work stress. It makes sense that social media is filled with stress-busting remedies. And while some of them should fall into the realm of old wives' tales, others may just be legit. The most popular one right now? A viral drink recipie claiming to lower cortisol, restore energy, relieve tension, and balance hormones. Besides the catchy name—the Cortisol Cocktail—could it be real? We dive in (and drink up). TikTok content This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. What is cortisol? First things first: Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Producing cortisol is typically a valuable ally for the body, as it plays a key role in regulating the metabolism, inflammation, and blood sugar levels, as well as having a direct influence on circadian rhythm. It's essential for the human body to survive, and because of that, the goal is never to eliminate it—but there is such a thing as too much cortisol. A consistently high level prevents your body from regaining homeostasis. Instead, you live in a place of constant stress. TikTok content This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. The Cortisol Cocktail recipe 200 ml of coconut water ½ squeezed lemon 50 ml of orange juice 1 teaspoon of magnesium powder ¼ teaspoon fine salt Sparkling water to taste Why the Cortisol Cocktail works Each of the ingredients of the Cortisol Cocktail is carefully chosen for its health-supporting benefits: salt, magnesium, orange, and lemon. Alone, they are great—but combined? Well, that's why the drink has gone viral. Sodium, potassium, and sugars, in fact, represent the perfect cocktail to give the body a boost. The presence of coconut water, on the other hand, promotes hydration, as well as giving the drink a delicate and pleasant flavor. It's a nonalcoholic cocktail that allows you to imagine yourself elsewhere, on vacation perhaps, acting on the negative effects of cortisol and helping to relax the mind.