Cindy Burbano on Why She Talks About Botox: “As Latinas, We Should Be More Open”

Cindy Burbano has been working in television and radio for more than a decade. Born in Venezuela to Ecuadorian parents, Burbano brings her Latina identity to the forefront as a morning show cohost for Mega 101 FM and a reporter for Telemundo.

Her many followers on social media also know that Burbano is a beauty aficionado. She’s very open about the new beauty procedures she tries – from trendy facials to body sculpting – and that includes getting beauty injectables. Here, she shares, in her own words, how she got interested in Botox and fillers and why it’s so important to her to be open and honest about the “tweakments” she’s done.

My mom always taught me since I was young about skin being so important – it was always sunblock and “don’t forget your neck.” I think it was a traditional thing, from my great-grandmother, my grandmother. It has been passed down, the importance of skin care. As a child, we were always taught to moisturize in the morning and evenings, and then when we started wearing makeup, it was, “Make sure you take off your makeup, don’t forget your cream.” It started there and then progressed.

The very first time I ever did Botox was in my late 20s; I think I was 27. I remember it started with me working on television and being exposed to certain comments, you know, just working in media and being a public figure. And I remember that what really drove me to try it was when people started saying, “Oh, you look really tired.” I felt like I was fine, but I realized I was looking tired. It was lack of sleep and my job, and so then I wondered what I could do about my undereyes and things like that. And that’s how I first tried Botox. I saw the difference immediately, and I was like, “I don’t look tired!” I looked like how I felt inside.

Related: David Lopez: I’m a Puerto Rican Man, and I’m Not Ashamed to Say I Get Filler

I’m 42 now, and I don’t have one wrinkle. Every three to four months, I get my Botox, which is just on my forehead and around my eyes. I remember it used to last six months, but now I just have to do it more. As time went by, I also felt like I was losing a little volume on my cheeks. And talking with my injector, she explained that they had this filler and it’s great and it dissolves. That’s another thing – nothing is permanent, which is what I love. Very rarely do I do the filler, but I have done the filler on my cheek and my chin.

As Latinas, we love taking care of ourselves. We’ve had surgeries before – the stuff that’s popular here in the States now, we’ve been doing for years, decades, in South America. The Brazilian Butt Lift – it has that name for a reason. But we’re so hypocritical about it. Even though we’ve been doing it for so long, it’s like, you can’t talk about it. You’re supposed to pretend you’re natural, or pretend you just drank some water and you lost the weight and you didn’t go get lipo. But as time has gone by, it’s gotten more and more acceptable, and celebrities too have been talking about it more openly.

I don’t know why women feel ashamed or embarrassed to say they’ve had a little help from a doctor. I don’t know why anyone has a problem with the way anybody else looks, when it’s not affecting them. I’m very open about it because I want other women to feel and look their best. You shouldn’t be ashamed to say, “I need a little extra help here” or “What can I do to not have this scar?” The technology and the doctors are there for a reason, and if it’s going to make you feel better, live your best life.

Especially as Latinas, we should be more open and honest to share our stories, whether good or bad – because it will help other people through that journey. And there is nothing wrong with trying to be the best version of yourself, or who you imagined, or who you want to be with a little help. There’s nothing wrong with that.

– As told to Lena Felton