Antonia Higham, a 28-year-old influencer, has shared the reasons behind her decision to undergo a full facelift, citing the pervasive influence of unrealistic beauty standards on social media.
Higham revealed that the idea of a facelift was first introduced during a consultation with a plastic surgeon while on holiday in Istanbul. Although the surgeon reportedly told her she did not need the procedure, she opted for it, spending approximately £9,000. The five-hour surgery involved incisions around her hairline and ears, skin lifting, muscle tightening, and excess skin removal. She chose to have the procedure done in Turkey as it would have cost significantly more in the UK.
Initially considering less invasive procedures like fox eye surgery, Higham ultimately decided on a facelift. She explained that constant exposure to her own face on film and social media led her to notice and obsess over perceived imperfections, making her feel that her face looked "heavy and sunken."
Higham kept the surgery a secret from her family, particularly her mother, who had advised against it. Her mother discovered the procedure through Higham's TikTok posts, leading to an angry reaction. Many of Higham's friends and followers also learned about the surgery via social media.
Recovery and Backlash
The recovery process was described as brutal. Higham experienced severe swelling and bruising for weeks, with one eyebrow still not moving properly several months later. She recalled people being scared to look at her, and even boarding a flight while looking "terrifying" in appearance, earning her the nickname "E.T." due to the swelling. She also noted that she couldn't feel parts of her face for a significant period and had to wear sunglasses constantly upon returning to acting school.
Despite the challenges, Higham stated she does not regret the procedure, though she acknowledged that "there have been aspects that have been really difficult."
Following her announcement video, which garnered nearly three million views, Higham faced considerable backlash online, including death threats. However, she also received messages from individuals thanking her for documenting her experience, as they had struggled to find similar content from young people undergoing cosmetic surgery.
Higham emphasized that she is not encouraging others to have surgery, but rather aims to be open and honest with her followers about her personal journey. She compared her situation to celebrities who are praised for openly discussing their procedures.
Looking back, Higham admitted that she was likely too harsh on herself and wished she had possessed more self-love before the surgery. She expressed that she feels happier now and more confident pursuing her acting career, believing her "new face" will aid her in screen acting without constant worry about her appearance.