Botox - yes or no? And at what age?

[Theguiltyfeminist]

I’ve been wondering about getting a bit of Botox. I’m 41 but it’s been a rough few years with some scary health issues for DD2 and various operations for me. I found an old photo of me from 10 years ago this week and could have cried - you’d never guess I was the same person. I’m also feeling that life is so absolutely rammed to the rafters right now that every minute of the day is triple booked and there is very little time left to look after myself. I am exercising but realistically doing less than the bare minimum in terms of skincare and make up.

DH isn’t very keen on the idea and thinks I don’t need it and that if I want to, I should try diet and more sleep first- however he is working long hours and I can’t magically create more hours in the day in which to sleep. We are lucky that we can afford it without cutting back on anything else.

Would you do it if finances allowed? And is 41 too young to start- am I being ridiculous? I work from home and our school run is full of very glamourous women - I suspect that my view of what is normal among the people I see is skewed. Does everybody else view it as an absolutely terrible idea, entertained only by lunatics with some kind of wish to be poisoned..? Or would you be happy to do it if you thought it would make you look less utterly exhausted?

@LoudingVoice

Those who have had it, is it painful?

I’ve been researching it lately and watched some videos & it looks like it would be?

Nope, just a little uncomfortable. The needle is tiny.

@Hbh17

No. Never. At any age. It doesn't make you look younger - it just makes you look like you're trying too hard.

Who said anything about looking younger ? It certainly makes you look more refreshed. It's worked wonders for my migraines so I really don't give a shit if it appears I'm trying too hard 🤷‍♂️

I'm 46, I have Botox every 4 months ish & it's great! I wanted to look fresher faced and less tired and that's exactly what it does. I really recommend it (administered by a skilled practitioner of course!)

@AntarcticTern

I would never have it, regardless of age and finances. My face may have the odd line or wrinkle but I'm okay with that.

I'd have said that 6 months ago too, but on having my wedding make-up trial done and only being able to see horizontal forehead lines in the pictures I've changed my mind, at least temporarily.

I'm having a little Botox next month to smooth them out before the wedding, and I'm looking at it the same way as someone else crash dieting or getting a spray tan for their wedding day. I wouldn't do either but I do want my face to look it's best.

Excited and apprehensive to see the results.

I love it - starting get it done since 38 . I have it very subtle -natural looking. Still look the same - just less tired, fresher looking and make up goes on much easier.

I had my first Botox at 41 and have had another lot about 6 months later. Totally love it and will probably carry on. Don’t have a lot so not completely frozen still a bit of movement, but has softened my 11 lines and forehead lines a lot. Just makes me look fresher and feel better about myself.

Didn’t really hurt a few little stings. One injection site bruised a little bit.

Would recommend choosing someone very experienced and they should offer you another consultation a couple of weeks after in case you need a top up.

That's something I'd never do.

Ii would never consider Botox, I am fine with a few wrinkles & 3 of my friends have had it & I just think you can tell & imo it doesnt look nice.

I have no desire to stop aging or look younger (which I don’t think it actually does). I’m just happy to be given the chance to ‘age’😄

@Hasselhoffsheadband

If you can afford it long term, then probably go for it, at least give it a go and see what you think.

Long term I think that SPF and tretinoin will give far better results, as you will still have full movement of your face, won't have any muscle atrophy issues which then require filler to even out, and won't be tempted to get 'a bit more' every time you go leading to a very unnatural look. These are all risks with botox.

SPF/tretinoin, you still look your age but just have nice glowy skin.

Is tretatonin better than retinol?

I had it done in London about 15 yrs ago by a well respected doctor and I loved the results .

I had two little dots under my eyes as I have very ageing ' hollows' and the results were great . I didn't look younger I looked far less tired and the hollows vanished . I've never needed my 11 done even now at 57 I have to scrunch really hard to see them .

My advice would be go for it but chose a well respected practitioner .

It’s something I am considering more and more as I approach my 40’s. I just need to find the right person to do it. Any recommendations for the NE would be appreciated.

@LoudingVoice

Those who have had it, is it painful?

I’ve been researching it lately and watched some videos & it looks like it would be?

Barely felt it, the needle is minuscule. It's more irritating than anything.

I have it done every 4-5 months on my crows feet. It’s great, i only have it on the one area so I don’t have a frozen face and it just makes me look a bit fresher.

I’d use a proper medical practitioner rather than a beautician as they’re more familiar with the muscle make up under the skin and they’ll be able to deal with reactions appropriately, they’re also going to be using proper Botox.

I started mine when I was 38 and I wish id started it before the wrinkles got quite so deep but it’s still great. If you think it’ll make you feel better then go for it. If you don’t like it at least it wears off after a few months and you never have to try it again.

I’ve done it for about 9 years. I absolutely don’t look like I’m frozen and it just makes me look less knackered. People are always suprised when I tell them I have it.

I imagine the 'sleb faces' that PP are referring to pay to have wayyyyy more than a couple of hundred quid every 8 months which is why theirs looks so overdone. Because it is.

I'm planning to start it in my early thirties, I get quite bad tension headaches from teeth grinding and it's meant to help with them. Not sure whether I'll get the frown lines from said headaches done too but it's certainly tempting!!

Do it, it's brilliant.

@LouB76
Yes Tret is more effective than over the counter Retinol that's why it's prescription only via company like Dermatica or Skin and Me.

If you want to try it x

www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/Y2K0NE

Is tretatonin better than retinol?

Tretinoin is basically the strongest form of retinol. You can't buy it over the counter, you either have to get it from a pharmacy abroad (can do this online), or get it on a prescription subscription from either Skin and Me or Dermatica.

But it's the only topical skincare that is scientifically proven to actually make a difference to the structure of your skin. I wouldn't bother with retinol, just go straight for the tret!

Oh x post!

I started at 30 and highly recommended it. my skin is so much better than my friends of the same age who haven't had it and I get a lot of comments on how good my skin is. much quicker, easier, with better results than trying endless lotions and facials.

I'm 39 and I've had Botox and fillers done for the first time a few weeks ago. I don't regret it at all. . I've had a lot of compliments on how 'well' I look lately. I've told a few close friends and family and none of them had guessed that I'd had them done. Go for it! YY to going to a doctor rather than a beautician. You will find that doctors post pictures and videos of their work on Instagram, you can see how good their work really is.

Yes just have it. You don't lose your facial movement, that's just a myth. No cream will get rid of existing wrinkles. It really is not a big deal. It's temporary so if you don't like it, just let it fade away.

@AmandaStaveleysBlackNWhiteArmy where in the NE? Northern institute for facial Aesthetics are good in South shields. Quay Aesthetics in whitley bay also good.

@LoudingVoice Not at all painful. It's just a little sting and is done very quickly