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!

It's not something I've ever considered but I don't judge people who have had it done in general. It's so mainstream these days, it's no different from getting your brows or lashes done. I feel sad for 20 year olds getting it done though. It's up there with 12 year olds having a skincare routine. You don't need it yet!

Absolutely, I am now 2 yrs post breast cancer treatment and will turn 60 this. I couldn’t give a flying f@*k about my aging skin. I feel lucky to still be here. My mum died of bowel cancer at 55 and I have already managed 5 yrs more than she did.
I was diagnosed at the same time as 3 of my patients, 3 of us were in our 50s and 1 in her early 40s. Two of us are now NED ( the modern term for remission) the youngest is in longterm palliative treatment ( hopefully) sadly the 4th died within a year of diagnosis.
A few wrinkles ( almost always due to sun damage) and a saggy jawline are worth the extra years.

Ah I'd love to be able to afford it. I'm 46 and really feeling like I look old.

I don't know anyone who has had it. I think it is a sign that someone feels bad about their natural appearance and bad about aging.

I had it a few times for lines from pain. Had a big operation, pain went but it was still sort of etched over my face
3 lots of Botox and I haven't had it since, it helped a lot. Was sick of looking in the mirror and seeing me looking in pain

I know young adults with disabilities who have it and same issues are detected.
If anything, the damage will be more pronounced in older adults as their muscles and body overall have less ability to repair damage done as the rate of cell regeneration slows down as get older.
I think the medical advice about only having it done 2-3 times in your lifetime should be made clearer within the cosmetic industry, but of course it isn't as that would lose them money.

I've just realised that I first had it 18 years ago! A few years off having babies and long periods of breastfeeding but very regular over the past ten years. I love it and wouldn't go anywhere else but the doctor I've been going to for ten years. I dread the day he retires.
I know many people who have it, men included!

I've had it done a couple of times but wouldn't again unless I could afford the upkeep.

It works well - I used it mainly to lift my eyebrows and smooth things a bit (53) but cost of living etc meant I couldn;t keep it up in the long term, as everything relaxed I now have a bit line in between my brows I never had before.

I don't wear make up daily and look okay for my age so I'll stick with what I have for now (unless I win the lottery then you can bet I'll have a face lift!) - I'm not vain, happily single for 14 years and all that but I do not like my jowls and I'd do something if I could.

That said I am not hugely devastated by my face in the mirror every day - I'm okay

In my world, in terms of the do's and don'ts is something akin to getting gel nails. Some do it regularly and wouldn't not, others wouldn't bother or can't justify the expense, others still do it now and again for special occasions. I've not known anyone outside of MN express any strong negative feelings about it or dislike how it looks. Its just seen as a grooming procedure that some people do and others don't. The only opinions I've heard in RL are that people think it looks good and they wish they were brave enough/could afford it, but mostly no one much cares.

I don't use botox, I'm 46 and don't need it as I don't have lines on my forehead or round my eyes. I don't know if I'll feel differently when I'm older but so far healthy living, using SPF all my life and 25 years of Tretinoin use means I am line free.

I guess there must be some women who use it and I don't realise but there are many people where the use of tox is noticeable. Very immobile shiny forehead, bunny lines, weird lines under eyes or on top of cheeks, odd brow stuff going on. If its noticeable then its counter-productive and I usually think "Oh dear, poor thing!" At least it wears off!

I think filler is much more problematic, there was a resent study that showed out of 50 women who'd had filler 100% has filler blockages in their lymph nodes, not good! That coupled with the knowledge that filler can and does hang around for many years and the fact that we are now seeing long term celebrity users of filler looking pretty bad (Nicole Kidman, Kate Beckinsale) who should have access to the best injectors, I think we'll see filler fall out of favour, perhaps with something else to take its place.

I think it shows a lack of self esteem, but think its use is more widespread than most would think. I'd say it's 50/50 among women I know who use it vs those who don't.

I'm in my mid 40s. I have no interest in having botox or similar. I don't even colour my hair anymore. I have a couple of friends who have botox and/or fillers. Others are talking about it. It is definitely much more mainstream. I think it is a shame that they feel they need to do it and that natural aging is so judged by others particularly in women. But if it makes them feel more confident then fair enough. I just think we can still look great with wrinkles and grey hair and there is no shame in it! Personally I spent my teens and 20's obsessing about my appearance after being raised by parents who judged me harshly for it. I am confident now but couldn't care what I look like anymore. Sure I make the effort when I fancy it but am just as confident with my usual makeup free and scruffy clothed look 😁I also know of some 20 somethings using botox and fillers which I think is odd and they all looked much nicer before.

I have been using low dose Botox since 38. Am 42 now. The 11s that were starting have reversed. These days I leave it 9 months between appointments so that it has worn off completely and the lines are less than when I started. I intend to gradually reduced my visits as I get older and stop in approx 10 years ( poss sooner) as I think a smooth forehead looks incongruous with an older lower half of the face. But while the rest of my face still looks quite young I feel that is just freshens me up and prevents wrinkles deepening.

Girls have grown up to believe youth is beautiful and age is ugly since long before botox came about. Botox is the response to the problem not the cause.

I was shocked when I found out how many women I knew had it regularly.

I get really annoyed that men can "age gracefully" but women can't. I don't dye my hair for that reason nor would I have cosmetic surgery (which is basically what Botox is). I'd like to be a natural aging woman, ok I might not look like Honour Blackman but I can aspire! Certainly I'd like to set that message for DD.

I see teens and 20s with their lips done and people in their 20s getting Botox and wonder what our old age people homes will look like in 50 years with smooth skin on aged bodies.

The liberal in me says their body their choice, but it's not a choice I'd make.

I don't know anyone who has had it done or who has admitted to it. None of my friends will see 50 again, and most are retired and they certainly don't look like they have had any work.

I think it is an age thing. Most people my age are probably accepting of the changes that age brings and are, sadly, more concerned about health concerns than cosmetic procedures.

I have no idea how widespread it is but I'm not aware that I know anyone who does except one friend my age (60s) who has had it as a treatment for migraine.

Personally I hate it, as I hate filled lips, boob jobs, butt lifts and similar (unless carried out for medical reasons).

As others have said, it sends out the wrong message to young women and girls in particular that their appearance is the most important thing about them and that ageing is to be avoided at all costs. Over time, the more women do it, the more normalised it will become and people will forget what a natural 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old looks like. That means that there will be added pressure on the rest to conform, so that they don't stand out as looking older than they are.

It also worries me that, once they have started, people will find it difficult to stop and that over their lifetimes women (mainly) will spend vast amounts of money on completely unnecessary medical procedures that many of them can't really afford.

I think it is very sad indictment of our modern society that so many people feel pressure to spend a lot of money on their appearance, putting themselves through unnecessary, and sometimes potentially dangerous, procedures.

Some friends of friends have asked me if I've had forehead botox.. l haven't.. l just can't raise my eyebrows so l don't have frown lines .. my Mum was the same and my sisters.. now my daughters.

I get Botox in my face for medical reasons. Not because I’m a moron as was suggested further upthread.

I would personally not have it done as I worry about the risk of injecting poisons. I make a consicous effort to try and avoid toxins / chemicals in the home, food and beauty products so would actively avoid anything like botox.

I have had friends who admited to having it done. Mostly it was very obvious to me as they had an air of the hollywood frozen look. I think when they look in the mirror they don't notice the negatives of the botox look, but if they watched some videos of themselves talking and laughing they would be shocked.

I had a friend in her late 40s who had it in her forehead and whilst it looked good and made her look a few years younger in a snapshot, it did somehow make her a bit less expressive, less friendly and gave off a colder vibe. It took me a while to notice why she seemed colder, it was weird, but she just seemed less friendly with a smoother forehead.

I think it’s really hard to say who in your social circle has had it done. I’m pretty confident people who know me would think I haven’t had it. I feel like because of potential negative reactions many people would not admit to it. And people of a similar age group do have different degrees of natural wrinkling due to various factors like UV exposure, sunburn history and BMI.

On an individual basis no issue, your body your choice.

On a society wide basis I feel sad that when you then on the TV not a single woman has a single line and they have a sort of frozen ageless quality.

It seems like men are allowed to age normally but women have to remain 40 forever.

I prefer growing old (dis)gracefully. 😅

P.s. 69 next month.

I've never considered myself particularly vain, but I have 'wasted money injecting shit into my face' as a PP eloquently put it.

It did it first at age 47 because I'd had a horrendously stressful few years and so my '11's' frown lines permanently looked like I was going to lamp someone - even when I was happy and having a wonderful day.

The lovely french lady that does it every 4/5 months or so has become a friend and I truly love going there. I don't look permanently pissed off anymore (even on bad days) and I do feel this has improved my life in a small way. £510 a year - cheaper than a basic Sky package. I don't get nails done and only 2 hair trims a year so I feel it's ok to spend on this one thing.