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?

@biggreenhouse both of those would be doable

@AmandaStaveleysBlackNWhiteArmy ok Google northern institute then as its slightly cheaper but she is highly awarded nurse and known for fixing others mistakes , not pushy at all and just a very reassuring person to go to. also do skin analysis and plenty of other options of you wanted to discuss general skin improvements before getting botox.

Botox can get a bad press because of people, especially celebrities, who go too far messing with their faces. Of course no one aspires to look like a waxwork or to lose the ability to be expressive.

Good Botox is basically undetectable but makes a huge difference to the person themselves. You could argue if it's so subtle and no one notices, then what is the point. But we all know everyone scrutinises themselves the most. If it gives people more confidence, then who are we to judge.

Botox has been around years and is very tame compared to what is available like boob and nose jobs.

There is a wider issue of course around our society's attitude to ageing. Why do we look in the mirror and see the loss of youth as bad? Because society doesn't value old. Botox and other procedures changes the bar as to what is normal at a particular age, which isn't great. But if you see it more as a beauty enhancement thing, like blonde highlights or long acrylic nails or fake eyelashes which people get at all ages (and many people never do any of them), then it doesn't seem so bad to me. It's becoming as common as those types of things.

And it's not painful at all. I'm sure waxing is worse.

Fab thank you ☺️

I started at 23 because I have quite an expressive forehead. Definitely worth it if you can afford it, and if you find someone good you won’t get the frozen look.

45/50 to start.
Who knows what harm it will do. It’s very obvious under that age (it is) and always will be.

I am 35. I have Botox and Profilo and use prescription Tretinoin. SPF50 every day to protect my skin and big sunglasses in bright light to protect the melasma on my cheeks from from further sun exposure, and to stop me from squinting and creating more crows feet and fine lines around my eye area.

@Suzi888 Botox prevents wrinkles forming - starting at 50 might soften some wrinkles but you’re better off using it to prevent.

How much do frown lines cost.
How long do they last 11.
How on earth do you know if you're getting a good natural person doing it

What's tretoin.

People's talking about it as if we all know!!

The thing with people saying botox is always obvious, gives you a frozen, shiny face etc, is that you just don't notice all the people who've had it done well. OP, you probably see people every day who've had botox and you just wouldn't know unless they chose to tell you. I started getting a low dose in my forehead and frown lines (11s) in my late 40s, primarily as preventative maintenance because my frown lines were making me look permanently grumpy. I can still raise my eyebrows individually or together, can still frown, but crucially it doesn't look like I'm frowning unless I am actually frowning . I still have wrinkles in my forehead, but they're not as deep as they were.
I get mine done at a Therapie Clinic, by doctor, and have also been to a Harley St clinic for my first go. The doc there explained how it's important to treat opposing muscle groups in your forehead to avoid the surprised look.

Why cant tret be got directly? Sounds scary

I’m 50 and haven’t had it but this evening sat next to a woman who clearly has had Botox, fillers, lip fillers the lot. She looked so bizarre and not young. I’d rather embrace my lines thanks

I’m considering it too, I’m 46 and look permanently knackered now. I suffer from migraines and fibromyalgia and I think the pain shows on my face so a little boost and looking fresher may help.

I own a beauty salon, there is only so much a good diet, exercise and creams can do.

Go for it, go light and natural, when done well it can look really good.

I have had the experience however that I felt like I looked older and not like myself…that’s when choosing your Dr is essential. Good luck

I've got jowls , I could weep. In my 50's, sort of considering it but hell it feels quite the step!

Sofelu

That's the big issue though, how do you find someone reputable? I'm not asking anyone as I wouldn't tell a soul! Where do you start looking?

I put who I go to earlier up the thread but how I found her was I set my own criteria.
I wanted:

• a doctor

• a woman
• and I focused my search around the more affluent areas around me

That narrowed it down quite a lot and then I looked at the pictures on Instagram and chose the person who gave the most natural results.

You're 20 years too late

@MissMaple82

You're 20 years too late

So the best time to get botox is early 20s?

@PaperTyger

Tret is type of topical vitamin A, it basically sends your skin cells renewal speed into overdrive, it can be used for hyperpigmentation/melasma as it suppresses the melanocytes that would otherwise be responding to the sun and getting darker, and is also used for acne and to prevent the signs for ageing. Results are fantastic, you only need to Google for Tretinoin before and after photos to see that. It’s widely acknowledge by the skincare and aesthetics industry to be the single most powerful active ingredient you can use.

But it does have its drawbacks, it can be incredibly drying, and leave red, flaky patches, and there can be a slight stinging when it’s applied. Vitamin A is also obviously teratogenic, so certainly not safe to use if having unprotected sex, TTC or pregnant, and also not advisable while BF. It also makes the skin incredibly sensitive to the sun, and a high SPF needs to be worn every day when outdoors, even if nipping out for a short time. I sat in my lounge the other day with a sun beam coming through the window without SPF on and my cheeks got hot and flushed.

The pay off is worth it though, my skin is better than ever and I’ve only been using it for three weeks, no hormonal acne at all this month, skin is plump and fresh and bright. Can’t say I’ve seen a noticeable improvement to my melasma yet, but I’m on a very low strength of Tret at the moment - 0.006%, with 4% Azaleic Acid and 4% Niacinamide.

I went through Skin + Me, you get sent a very simple skin routine to stick to, and recommendations for a gentle cleanser/moisturiser and SPF to use, with options for three different budgets. I still think it’s not something I’d recommended to get involved with unless very committed to your skin and routine. If you’re a bar soap and rough towel kind of gal it’s probably too labour intensive and fussy.

@feathers7

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!)

I totally agree. I'm 49 and look way younger then my peers. Started at 35.

No. Its never necessary.

It never ever looks good, ever. Even on any actress or public personality who have the money to get it done really well, it just takes from a person's face and is jarring. But I understand why people think it looks ok, because we scrutinise our own faces like nobody else does and focus on that one wrinkle or how many forehead lines and think if only...it is fool's gold.

I started with botox for my 50th, im not yet 51. I love it. I go for the fresh, not frozen look. I still look my age, but a brighter version. I also use tret and spf.