In the January|February issue of Irish Country Magazine you’ll find our feature, The Botox Debate. In it, we unpack the topic of Botox, laying out the facts about what it does, how it functions and what it costs. We also speak with five women about their differing attitudes toward it. This article is a glimpse from one of the women we spoke to.
The subject of Botox tends to provoke strong opinions. Over the past decade, the use and availability of Botox has become a common, routine maintenance option for many people. Yet its ease does not automatically make it suitable for everyone. Whether you’re pro-tox or anti-tox, there’s no judgment here, but it’s essential to have all the information before making a decision for yourself. We chat with one Irish woman about why the neurotoxin isn’t for her.
Meet Erica Bracken, a 33-year-old freelance PR consultant and Yoga Teacher from Cork, now based in Lisbon. As part of her profession and lifestyle, she believes Botox isn’t something she wants at this moment or in the foreseeable future. Here she shares the reasons behind that view.
Why Botox Might Not Be the Right Choice for You
“For me, the deciding factor comes down to energy. Botox stands in opposition to energy. It literally paralyzes muscles and nerves, which means it blocks the natural flow of energy (what we refer to as prana in yoga or Qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine).”
Speaking of her vocation, Erica adds: “As a yoga teacher, I help people move energy through the body to cultivate balance, vitality, and emotional freedom, so pursuing something that interrupts that flow—even around the face—doesn’t align with the deeper aims of my personal practice and teaching.”
Do you think you’ll ever change your mind?
“Never say never, and I’m speaking here about Botox for cosmetic purposes. In medical contexts, the benefits can sometimes outweigh the potential downsides.”
She continues: “But at this stage, I can’t envision myself choosing something that conflicts with what I teach and believe in. My values around health, energy, and authenticity feel stronger than the social pressure to look a certain way. If anything, my viewpoint continues to deepen as I learn more about how emotional expression and natural movement support vitality and aging well.”
What Does Your Skincare Routine Look Like?
“I approach skincare and energy support in a holistic way. It’s not solely about the face; it’s about the circulation of energy, blood and lymph throughout the body, achieved through movement, proper hydration, nutrition, rest and stress management.”
Erica also notes that she enjoys facial workouts. “I try to weave in some daily facial ‘exercises,’ such as scalp and facial massage, gua sha, and routines for tongue and facial muscles. This helps release tension, enhances lymphatic drainage, and keeps the facial muscles flexible.”
“I’m also a firm advocate for using high‑quality skincare that supports collagen and cell renewal, and I aim to incorporate facial treatments that boost collagen production a couple of times per year as well.”
You can read the full feature, along with the perspectives of four other Irish women, in the January|February issue of Irish Country Magazine, now on shelves.
