Behind the Essence Feature: The Complete Story About Gen Z and Cosmetic Procedures
Our expert Scheleda V. Grimes made headlines in Essence Magazine discussing what Gen Z needs to know before booking treatments. Here’s the expanded conversation with direct insights from the article plus what we didn’t have space to share.
When Essence Magazine’s Girls United featured our Atlanta injector Scheleda V. Grimes alongside other industry experts, the response was overwhelming. Thousands of readers wanted more details. Here’s the complete guide, featuring direct quotes from the original article plus exclusive expanded insights.
“21 Is the Magic Number” – The Science Explained
As Scheleda told Essence readers directly: “For most people, the right age to actually begin treatments is closer to 21. Here’s why: around your early to mid-20s, your body naturally starts to lose 1–2% of collagen every year. That slow but steady change is what eventually leads to fine lines, volume loss, and sagging down the line.”
But here’s what we didn’t have room to explain in the article:
The Collagen Breakdown Timeline:
- Age 18-20: Your skin is still developing. Procedures now can interfere with natural growth
- Age 21: The sweet spot – mature enough for treatments, young enough for prevention
- Age 22-25: Prime prevention window – small investments now prevent major corrections later
- Age 26+: Visible changes begin – you’re now correcting, not preventing
This is why starting at 21 with “medical-grade skincare, light neurotoxin to soften expression lines before they deepen, or small amounts of filler for balance, not overhaul” makes scientific sense.
The Psychology Check Nobody Talks About
Here’s the quote from Essence that sparked the most questions:
“The number one overlooked factor, in my professional opinion, is finding out the motivation: Is it because they want to look like a certain influencer/celebrity, or is there deeply rooted insecurities involved that physically changing your appearance cannot address. The psychological factor is important to discuss, especially with Gen Z,” Scheleda emphasized.
Let’s dig deeper into what this really means:
Red Flag Motivations:
- “I want to look like [insert celebrity]”
- “My ex would take me back if I looked different”
- “Everyone on TikTok is doing it”
- “I hate everything about my face”
Green Light Motivations:
- “I’ve always been self-conscious about this one feature”
- “I want to prevent aging like my mom experienced”
- “I’d like to enhance what I already have”
- “I want to invest in my skin’s long-term health”
The Instagram Reality Check
The Essence article revealed that “55% of Gen Z feel compelled by influencers to undergo cosmetic procedures.” But here’s what that statistic really means for you:
“If you’re considering aesthetic treatments, start with you at the center — not TikTok, not Instagram, not a trend, not what your favorite influencer just got done. Your beauty is already here; treatments should enhance that, not erase it. You are already beautiful or handsome,” Scheleda stated in the feature.
This isn’t just feel-good advice. It’s medical guidance. Here’s why:
- Influencer faces are often heavily filtered
- What works for their bone structure may not work for yours
- Trends change – your face is forever
- Many influencers get procedures for free in exchange for promotion
The Body Reality: Why Invasive Procedures Can Wait
The Essence article also featured insights from body sculpting expert Corrine Rodriguez, who was crystal clear: “I strongly encourage Gen Z clients to wait until their mid-20s (around 23 or older) before considering invasive procedures. Here’s why: Hips may continue to spread, fat distribution shifts, and metabolism changes significantly.”
Think about that – your body is literally still changing. Getting a BBL at 19 means you might need revision surgery by 25.
Rodriguez also dropped this truth bomb: “When you wake up from surgery, you’ll have a new body, but the same brain. Without the right mindset and habits, even the best results won’t be sustainable.”
The Hidden Costs Essence Mentioned (And What They Really Mean)
One of the most valuable insights from the article came from Rodriguez’s financial reality check: “It’s also important to budget for maintenance after surgery. Beyond the procedure itself, you’ll need massage packages, body sculpting treatments, high-quality shapewear like fajas or waist trainers, and even lifestyle costs such as healthy food, which can add up. I recommend having an extra $10K–15K set aside for these ongoing expenses.”
Let’s break down what this REALLY looks like:
Surgical BBL Total Investment:
- Procedure: $8,000-15,000
- Lymphatic massages (10-15 sessions): $1,500-2,000
- Compression garments: $500-800
- Time off work (2-3 weeks): Lost income
- Maintenance treatments: $300-500/month
- Year 1 Total: $15,000-25,000+
Non-Invasive Alternative (What Rodriguez Recommends):
- Vacuum BBL series: $2,000-3,000
- Body sculpting sessions: $200-400/month
- No downtime needed
- Year 1 Total: $4,000-6,000
Rodriguez was clear in Essence: “For younger individuals, non-invasive treatments such as vacuum BBLs, body sculpting sessions, skin tightening, or light facial treatments are a safer place to start.”
Dr. Branter’s 10-Year Question
The Essence article mentioned that Dr. Jim N. Branter asks patients to consider “how they might feel about their decision in 10 years.” Here’s the framework we use at Charette to help you answer that:
The 10-Year Test:
- Will this enhancement still look natural as I age?
- Can I afford maintenance for a decade?
- Will this align with my career/life goals?
- Am I doing this for me or for others?
- Will I regret not trying less invasive options first?
If you can’t confidently answer these questions, you’re not ready.
The Confidence Factor: What Really Works
Rodriguez shared something powerful with Essence: “For Gen Z, who are growing up in a digital age full of comparisons, procedures (especially non-invasive ones) can help them feel more confident and less self-conscious. That boost in self-esteem can affect everything from how they show up in social settings to how they carry themselves in professional environments. The key is balance and doing it for yourself, not because of extrinsic pressures.”
This is exactly why we focus on subtle enhancements at Charette. The goal isn’t transformation – it’s confidence.
What the Experts Agree On: Start Here
All the professionals featured in Essence aligned on these treatments for Gen Z:
Ages 19-28 Protocol (As Mentioned by Grimes):
- Texture improvement treatments
- Collagen stimulation
- Pigmentation correction
- Prevention of deep fine lines
- Medical-grade skincare
The Charette Specific Recommendations:
PHASE 1 (Age 21-23): Foundation
- Professional skin analysis
- Custom medical-grade routine
- Quarterly DiamondGlow facials
- Introduction to retinoids
PHASE 2 (Age 24-26): Prevention
- Baby Botox (if needed)
- SkinPen microneedling series
- IPL for sun damage
- Chemical peel series
PHASE 3 (Age 27+): Refinement
- Evaluate need for subtle filler
- Morpheus8 for early laxity
- Advanced laser treatments
- Maintenance protocol
The Tweakment Movement: Understanding the Trend
Essence called it “The Tweakment Movement” – Gen Z’s preference for subtle enhancements over dramatic changes. Here’s what that actually looks like in practice:
Tweakment Examples:
- Lip flip instead of major filler
- Baby Botox instead of frozen forehead
- Skin quality over structural changes
- Enhancement not transformation
Your Action Plan: Making Smart Decisions
Based on everything shared in Essence and our expanded expertise, here’s your roadmap:
Step 1: The Motivation Check Ask yourself Scheleda’s key question: Are you doing this for YOU?
Step 2: The Age Assessment
- Under 21: Focus on skincare only
- 21-25: Prevention protocols
- 25+: Consider enhancement options
Step 3: The Financial Reality Can you afford both the treatment AND maintenance?
Step 4: The Provider Research Choose someone who will say “no” if it’s not right for you
Step 5: The Consultation Get professional assessment before making decisions
Why This Conversation Matters
As the Essence article highlighted, Gen Z has the highest adoption rate of non-surgical treatments – a 73% increase in Botox usage among ages 18-24. This isn’t going away. That’s why having honest, educational conversations like this matters.
Scheleda’s final quote in Essence says it all: “You are already beautiful or handsome.”
Treatments should enhance that truth, not replace it.
Ready for an Honest Consultation?
If you’ve read the Essence article and this expanded guide, you’re already ahead of most people booking treatments. You’re doing the research. You’re asking the right questions.
When you’re ready for a consultation that puts your long-term results first, we’re here. We’ll tell you if you should wait. We’ll explain every option. And we’ll create a plan that makes sense for YOUR face, YOUR budget, and YOUR timeline.
What Our Consultations Include:
- Complete facial analysis
- Honest age-appropriate recommendations
- Clear pricing with no hidden costs
- Realistic timeline for results
- The same expertise Essence trusted
Book Your Consultation | Read the Original Essence Article | Follow Us @charettecosmetics
This expanded article features additional insights from Scheleda V. Grimes, MS, APRN, FNP-BS, FNP-C, following her featured interview in Essence Magazine’s “The Cosmetic Procedures Gen Z Are Getting And Is It Worth It?”
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