Parties where people get the popular wrinkle fix are being held in cities across the country, including Cape Town's suburbs. Baskets of syringes filled with Botox await party guests who arrive for an afternoon or evening filled with fun and wrinkle-erasing injections.
This non-surgical treatment is one of the world's most popular cosmetic treatments. It temporarily weakens muscles responsible for creating wrinkles. It is widely used by celebrities, including Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.
The parties are arranged by a host, who usually receives a discount for her own treatment for throwing the party. On arrival, guests are given chilled sparkling wine and a catalogue or price list of various Botox treatments. Treatments are carried out by a doctor, occasionally one who has flown in specially from Britain.
Although these parties have raised eyebrows in the medical industry, they have been hugely popular in the US and Britain for the past five years.
Now South Africa has caught on to the craze.
While prices vary, a full face treatment costs around R2 400. A frown is removed for R900 and lines on the forehead or around one eye for R800.
While guests socialise and sip bubbly, their names are called out one by one and they slip off into a private room. A fee is paid and the "patient" signs an informed consent agreement. Afterwards, guests are treated to a meal.
A Cape Town man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "These Botox and bubbly parties are fantastic. I've been to six and they are much easier than going off to a clinic. When you get to a party you receive a glass of champagne and you socialise, which helps you relax."
He said he has had Botox injections to his eyes, around his lips and his forehead. The doctor who did the treatment was from the UK. He said she was thorough and went through a health checklist. She also asked questions about previous facial work.
"Everybody at the party is getting Botox and talking about it. The atmosphere is very relaxed. Even though we are all red in the face when we have lunch afterwards, no one is embarrassed about it."
Another Capetonian who has hosted a party but also preferred to remain anonymous, said a doctor from the UK came to Cape Town once a month to attend parties.
"A group consists of about 10 people who want Botox. Then we have lunch and drinks too. The host gets a discount.
"It's good fun, almost like a Tupperware party. We're all there for the same reason. You get Champagne, get your stuff done and have lunch.
"Some people's results show immediately, others take a few days. It's like going to a spa with a group of friends."
According to the cosmetic surgery industry, these parties happen around the country.
Lorraine Melvill, founder of Surgeon and Safari, a Joburg-based company focused on cosmetic surgery in the medical tourism market, said she knew of Botox parties being held in Joburg.
Her company had held a party in the UK to attract more clients but she later decided against arranging more because the conditions for treatment were not ideal, and she believed it compromised medical professionalism.
Many websites on the Internet offer information on parties and "how-to guides", including one called "How to host a Botox party" that says all you need is a "board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon; wrinkles between your eyebrows, across your forehead, or around your eyes; a well-lit room; a tall chair, like a bar stool and plenty of money".
Cosmetic surgery has become so popular in this country that the demand for funding led to the opening of First Health Finance.
It provides financing for procedures which are not covered by medical aid schemes. It has received 5 000 applications for various cosmetic procedures in the past 18 months.
Co-founder Jason Sive said: "When we first opened for business there we had applications worth R15-million. This has grown to R60m in the past 18 months.
"The most popular procedures include breast enlargements, tummy tucks, liposuction, nose jobs and face-lifts."
He said there had been an increase in women wanting laser vaginal rejuvenation.
While most of their clients were women and the average age is 33, more and more men were applying for money to get work done, including breast reductions and tummy tucks.
Sive said even though they opened their doors during the economic meltdown, "we were pleasantly surprised that people continued to apply for medical assistance, even those who were clearly in financial trouble".
"It's what's called the 'Lipstick Index', people still spend money on improving their looks because it makes them feel better."
While they did not cover Botox, it was hugely popular.
"The numbers in the US alone are phenomenal," he added.
Statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that almost 2,8 million Botox procedures were performed in 2008. Botox has been the most popular cosmetic procedure since 2000.