Botox, how mainstream is it and what do you think of those who use it?

[Notinvited85]

Hi,

I noticed another thread asking what people thought of people not wearing makeup. It was quite interesting to read the responses on there. (In case it’s relevant, I usually wear some make up, but not on a daily basis.).

But the thing it made me wonder, is your thoughts on Botox, more specially on those who have it. I’m in my mid- thirties, and have used low dose Botox a couple of times. I don’t think I look frozen, as the botoxed area still moves with my expressions- maybe just slightly less than before.

I suppose my question is how wide spread do people think Botox use is? And what do you think of people who use it?

I don’t think I’m overly vein on the whole ( maybe more self-conscious). Like I said I don’t wear make up on a daily basis. I have paid for membership to a slimming app for the last 4 years or so though, so I guess that also shows some degree of high effort/ similar!

I am jealous of the forehead smoothness.
I wish I could afford it.
I am also a bit worried about long term effects of not using muscles, but mostly just can’t justify that much money every few months just for my forehead!

I think it’s much more accepted/normal than it was 20 years ago, people just don’t seem quite as fussed by it on the whole. I think a few decades ago it was more a thing for celebrities rather than ‘normal’ people. Also evidenced by how many clinics have popped up in recent years.

I probably can afford it, but do not need it, even at my age. About make up , use it when inspired, then leave it for half a year. I am not sure I know what are the signs of someone with botox, so I probably will just smile and nod anyway :)

It is your money, your face, and your choice.

I just worry that it gives the impression to the girls growing up that it is unacceptable to show any signs of wrinkles/aging.

I am in my 50s, not had it, not having it, don;t need it and none of my friends appear to have had it as far as I can tell. I can afford it.

I don't think anything of people who have had it, except actresses who have overdone it like Nicole Kidman.

I think it's pretty widespread. A few women at my work have it and I work in quite a conservative field.

My worry is what you do next or when do you stop, does your face suddenly age 30 years after 30 years of using it? I think I'd rather have the gradual effect if so!

I think it’s more widely accepted. I think it’s fine to have it if you want it but fine if you don’t.

It only looks ok when you don't notice it.

Which is a bit weird when you think about it ....

I think it's fairly common and it doesn't bother me at all. Lots of people I know have had it and you not necessarily know as they're definitely not frozen. I'm 30s, haven't had it but have had the odd bit of filler years ago and would absolutely consider Botox in the future

I do see what you mean about it giving a negative message to younger girls growing up. I personally have 2 sons, but if I had a daughter I would feel upset to think that they ever felt it ‘necessary’ to get Botox. I have only told 2 people in real life about having it done, and I suppose that is due to a sense of feeling that maybe it’s not the best thing to do. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I feel guilty, but certainly wouldn’t publicise it !

I'm sure it's more widespread than I think but I only know one person who has said they had it, and they stopped a few years back due to money. I live in the sticks and most of my friends find paying the bills quite challenging enough so I really don't think it's that common in people I know. I never seriously thought about it

Love Botox! Takes care of the forehead wrinkles. Looks normal. Lots of people I know get it done.

I recently heard that the filler gradually degrades/falls out of place and in the end pulls and drags your skin down even more than it would have naturally done. Jowls ect.

No idea if it's true!

I do have a daughter. I think with social media, there is immense pressure on young women already to look good, so I am not planning to add to it by getting Botox.

I wouldn’t get it myself. Nothing against it. I can usually spot it (even when well done) in women my age as they simply look too good to be true. I looked fairly fresh faced until peri-menopause hit me like a truck. I would benefit from Botox.

Incredibly common in my circles. I don’t think any more or less of people who haven’t or haven’t had it done than I do whether they wear heels or not

Personally I look less grumpy which makes me happy and it’s worth wearing eye make up again so I love it

tmj Botox is a life changer. I think a lot get it, the actual look isn’t like Hollywood frozen faces would have you believe if you have a decent practitioner and don’t go mad

I did have a thread on here about my sagging jowls a while ago, but I have decided to live with them. It helps that I work in a non-glam field where few people appear to have had anything done ( that I can tell).

It’s true it’s expensive… I just get my forehead done for now every 5-6 months. It costs around £300 a time. It would increase to £500 per time if the eye area were to be added in.

@Laiste Botox is not the same as filler.

It's a tiny injection of toxin that stops selected parts of your face from moving. It wears off over time.

There is no substance left in your face to migrate about.

It’s pretty widespread. Of the school mums in dd’s class, I know 6 of them who have it and I do, possibly more that I don’t know about. Most of them aren’t particularly ‘glam’ types and I was quite surprised they had it. I’ve been having it about ten years ( 40 this year) and I have no static lines at all even when it wears off ( not sure if the Botox has helped or not obviously).

On a positive, I’m glad to hear that most people wouldn’t think negatively of someone who has had it done!

i also don’t work in what I would consider to be a glam field- I’m in the NHS. Most of my female colleagues don’t wear make up on a day to day basis.

More and more evidence is coming out about the negative long term effects of botox. I probably have a slightly different perspective as I work with children who have botox injections to help with various neurological conditions, and recently the use has significantly dropped due to greater awareness of the permanent damage it can do to muscles, creating scar tissue and structural change within the muscles. Evidence is now that it should only be done into a specific muscle max 2-3 times ever, more than this risks permanent damage to the face muscles.
It also seems so strange to me that someone with no medical background, can prescribe and inject what is essentially poison, when as a highly experienced health professional, I can't without undertaking masters level intensive study.

I can afford it. Most of my friends could afford it. I reckon 20% have it on n a regular basis.

I probably would have it if I didn't have a big aversion to needles (but only insofar as I have nails, hair, eyelashes, eyebrows etc done).

I think it's definitely less of a big deal that it was even 5 years ago.

I think Botox willl become normalised for DD's generation, though I very much hope it doesn't.