This beauty trend could lead to investigations and delays at the airport

While Botox and facial fillers are becoming more common in Israel and around the world, many do not understand their implications for their future vacation.

Already about a year ago, TikTok influencer Joanne Proft told how she was dragged into an interrogation room in Turkey at the airport by six security officers, after she said her passport photo did not match her current appearance. Since the passport photo was taken, Joan has undergone dental veneers, chin and lip fillers, and fat-dissolving injections.

Although her passport was due to expire a year later, Joanne had to pay for a new one. Her testimony led to a wave of responses, mostly from women, who recounted similar experiences at airports all over the world. And while many of the comments spoke of difficulties at the airport in Turkey, other women reported similar experiences in Cape Verde and Singapore, with one saying she was required to show a pre-filler photo while being questioned.

Travel experts are already warning about the problems Botox creates with facial recognition technologies. Following the recent cases, they decided to warn the fans of the trend, who are planning to fly soon.

Especially now with biometric technology and facial recognition increasingly used for passport control, significant facial changes can lead to questions about your identity.

According to the tourism provider Travel Republic, facial recognition problems at airports are common today and can cause delays and even flight cancellations. "Airport computers use distance between the pupils, ears, nose and mouth, mouth and eye width and many others," said Karolina Turuska, biometric and travel photography specialist for Passport-Photo online.

When should you update your passport photo?

Minor changes such as a new hairstyle, growing a beard or slight fluctuations in weight do not require a new passport. However, when undergoing facial reconstruction or cosmetic procedures that change our main facial features, it is recommended to update the passport photo.

According to experts, if you have recently undergone surgery, or had fillings done that change the shape of your face, and you need to fly, you should even have a note from the doctor, explaining the procedure you underwent and that you may look different from the passport photo.