For a better first impression, keep smiling and pass the Botox

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Maybe all those people who choose to have botulinum toxin (that’s Botox to you and me) injected in their faces to stave off wrinkles really do know something — like the fact that they may make a better first impression than the rest of us who don’t have preternaturally smooth skin.

That’s the finding of a study presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in Chicago. In it, women were given botulinum toxin A injections in their foreheads. Photos of the women were take one week before and after the injections, in smiling and relaxed poses. The photos were then randomly divided into books, with each person featured in a book only once. People looked at the photos and rated their first impressions based on various measures of success, such as social skills, attractiveness and financial success.

Botox-enhanced first impression scores were significantly higher on scales of dating success, attractiveness and athletic success, with the smile/relax factor figuring in as well. However, no differences were registered on social skills or financial or relationship success. Well, three out of six isn’t bad.

For those contemplating getting the injections, you may want to call your doctor and make sure he or she has the stuff on hand. After all, the Emmys were just last Sunday.

-- Jeannine Stein