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!

A few of my friends get it done and I’d never have known if they hadn’t told me.

but I do know a few people where it’s very noticeable and it doesn’t look good.

I think it actually looks worse on younger women ( under 40) and can actually be ageing.

was looking at a picture of Amanda Holden today- great figure but has had too much work done on her face. Looks plastic.

shes an attractive woman and would’ve looked great if she’d left her face alone

It's tested on animals which is very cruel so I hate it. Wouldn't have it done if you paid me a million pounds.

I also dislike that it perpetuates the idea that looking young = best and looking older = bad. I think that's a damaging message.

I have Botox in two areas around 3 times a year. I am 45, menopausal and my acne is out of this world, Botox gives me a bit more confidence and makes make up looks a little better.

2 of my friends have it & one just completely gets slated. Everyone is talking about her & i hear ‘what’s she done to her face’ multiple times a week. It’s a shame because she is/was beautiful & imo doesn’t need it but she can barely smile without looking strained.

I can afford it but I’m very frugal so wouldn’t pay it even if I wanted to. I personally think it looks fake & insecure but it’s a personal choice that everyone should make themselves.

I agree with this- older women ( who look their age) can be beautiful.

but we’ve become obsessed that only smooth skin is attractive

I suppose for me I'd worry about someone unnecessarily injecting things into their bodies. Also, I think on those who are getting older the absence of wrinkles can sometimes look a little cold. However, I think it's fine to do it if you want to, I'd just bear those things in mind.

Botox isn’t a filler. It paralyses the muscle.

Personally I have it for pain relief as do a few of my friends. It has other uses than just wrinkles.

For me it’s not necessarily about looking younger. I frown a lot without even realising, especially when concentrating, and have an awful “resting bitch face”. I’ve been told my entire life that I look like a right grumpy, unapproachable cow (I’m really not!) and as I’m getting older, the lines and muscles from frowning are holding in place a lot more. Botox just relaxes my face and makes my natural resting expression look much more neutral.

Yes, I do wonder if I need to find a ( confident ) friend who I could tell I’ve had it done and ask them to tell me if they ever think I could dial back the dose. Realistically I already have the lowest dose, but they may feel more able to say that than tell me I look frozen/ odd, best to stop it altogether etc

I'm 34 and don't feel like I need it right now but won't rule it out when I'm a bit older but don't want to look frozen. Some people go way too far, what I don't like is the lip filler that everyone seems to be getting. Each to their own but I do think some people look ridiculous with it.

I think it is ridiculous if I am completely honest, all cosmetic procedures of that nature. I wouldn’t entertain any of it and I can’t understand why anyone bothers.

It tends to be people with no-self confidence that would be far better off investing in improving that instead of injecting crap in to their bodies.

It is very widespread. I think those who use it are short-sighted morons, who somehow imagine they are stopping time with these injections. You only have to have eyes in your head to see what happens as time goes on to the faces of even the most beautiful Botox users. It's a real shame people are doing this to themselves.

I have noticed recently than more actors aren't having it or at least having it very subtly. Nice to see women with some lines on screen anyway.

I know a fair few people who have had and I don't really think anything of it. I do feel a bit sad for the person I know in their mid/late twenties who had it but it's totally their choice.

I have it. Never thought I would. Was thoroughly in the anti-enhancement group. And then I found myself in my 50s, single, and looking down the barrel of starting again. My life is a lot better now, but stopping myself perma-frowning and looking less angry played no small part.

Botox was first used to debulk the masseter muscles ( the ones that attach your top jaw to your bottom jaw) to treat pain associated with bruxing ( grinding teeth) and TMJ disorder. So longterm use could affect the tone of the muscles disabled. It’s possible that as you age repeated Botox could lead to marked sagging.
You need to remember that Botox and fillers don’t prevent aging. Your skin will progressively lose its elasticity. Collagen is the latest craze, unfortunately taking collagen doesn’t guarantee that the body directs it to your face. Ingested collagen is broken down in order to be absorbed in the gut then rebuilt in areas it is needed. So if you cut yourself collagen is formed at the wound to affect a repair.

“Proteins (collagen)are made from amino acids. The main amino acids that make collagen are proline, glycine and hydroxyproline. These amino acids group together to form protein fibrils in a triple helix structure. Your body also needs the proper amount of vitamin C, zinc, copper and manganese to make the triple helix.”

Most of the expensive lotions, potions and supplements are bollocks. The only ones that have robust research and evidence are retinol and hyaluronic acid.

I feel sad that women can’t accept ageing. Ageing is a privilege.

I am 52, i think anyone my age who looks great has had botox.

Really, they are generally such a great ad for it.
I have not had it and do look old. I could afford it but struggle with the ethics of it all.

In theory I am a fan but it is blatantly tested on animals and are my aging looks really worth torturing dumb animals, do j really want to join the train of denying ageing.
So, at 52, I have aged massively as menopause hits in the last 3 /4 months but here is where I am.

For now I cannot join the bandwagon of pretending it's not happening but I am also cool about those who go for it.

Wouldn't want my daughters feeling obliged to go for this, and I hope they will be more discerning and independent thinking and accept aging as a privilege.

It works wonders for migraines, being wrinkle free is an added bonus.

People that have it assume it looks totally natural, sadly it doesn’t, there is nothing natural about the faces expressions being dumbed down. Only a couple of have had work in my group and it shows

I have it and love it. Whether anyone else thinks badly of me for it isn’t my problem, they’re welcome to get on with doing that.

This is interesting. I wonder if this is because it’s children though and still growing?

I’m early 40s and two of my friends group are early 50s. They look stunning and I’ve complemented them before… both laughed and said Botox from 47! I’ve told dh I’m not ruling it out.

I'm nearly 60. I don't know a single person who uses (or would use) it. In my circle, it just would never cross anyone's mind to use it.

I think if people want to waste their money injecting shite into their faces that's up to them. I do think it's rather sad that people can't just be happy with how they look though. There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve yourself/wanting to look better (or younger). Makeup, exercise, dying/styling your hair etc. All normal.

But I think there are going to be A LOT of people with ridiculous-looking faces in 20-odd years because they started injecting crap into their faces when they were young. I think people who overdo the Botox/lip fillers all look fucking ridiculous!