MomTok and Reality TV Influence Growing Awareness of Cosmetic Procedures in Young Utahns

A group of eight women, diverse in age and appearance, dance and blow kisses playfully in a hotel room to the tune of Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack.” These influencers are part of the popular “MomTok” trend that took off in 2020, gaining international attention and even featuring on Hulu’s reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

Reality TV shows like Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise in Salt Lake City often showcase visits to medical spas, where stars undergo various treatments, from Botox parties to cosmetic surgeries. This exposure to nonsurgical cosmetic procedures on television helps normalize the trend, according to 23-year-old Brookelyn McAllister.

In Utah, billboards promoting medical spas and cosmetic procedures are a common sight along highways, contributing to a sense of normalcy around these treatments. McAllister, who has undergone lip filler and a labiaplasty, credits this normalization for boosting her confidence and reducing insecurities she had carried for a long time.

The rise of social media influencers and reality TV stars promoting cosmetic procedures has also played a role in the popularity of plastic surgery among younger demographics. Stephanie Godfrey, a certified aesthetic nurse practitioner, notes an increase in younger clients at her spa, influenced by social media platforms like TikTok.

Utah, known for hosting a high concentration of plastic surgeons, has seen the impact of influencers promoting plastic surgery procedures to their followers. Courtney Grow, an influencer with a large following on Instagram, has observed a shift in how these procedures are integrated into content, with influencers inviting their followers along for Botox appointments and other treatments.

The combination of social media influence, reality TV exposure, and the normalization of cosmetic procedures through advertising has contributed to making young Utahns more aware of and interested in nonsurgical beauty treatments. The trend continues to evolve as influencers and TV shows showcase these procedures as part of their content, contributing to a broader conversation about beauty standards and self-confidence.