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!

@Thementalloadisreal thanks for putting me right :)

As you can tell i've not had it!
(so is it true that filler shifts about then?)

I have 4 DDs and i wouldn't want to put the idea in their head that aging is something to fight in this particular way.

I'm happy to use make up, fight flab, use hair dye ect., but not injecting stuff. That feels like a line crossed IMO.

I do it. Senior in career and it's common. I tell people I have Botox and fillers though and I tell them why.

The why is because women are judged, as a lone parent I can't afford to be judged or lose my career.

It's really straightforward.

Damn, nobody's responding to my bait.😁

No, you haven't had Botox. But it's a still photo of a portion of forehead. If you had had Botox, a still photo would give some indication, but where it becomes really apparent is when one is speaking to or watching filmed footage of the Botoxed.

I have it done 4 times a year only in my 11s. There were deep grooves that have now practically gone. I have it done by a qualified doctor. Nobody has ever commented on it, but I'm happy to have it and it has lifted my eyebrow too which was wonky.

I wish I could afford to or be brave enough!

I know of two friends in their mid 30s who have it. Both look great and natural, although one did have a bad reaction the first time which was quite alarming.

I suppose it’s where you draw the line. I was ill on the sofa a few weeks back watching daytime tv and caught some of Loose Women – all of the presenters (bar Linda Robinson) had distractingly frozen foreheads. It’s all I could think about! No idea what they were debating as it was just extremely weird how their faces weren’t moving. I think it looks quite ghoulish when it’s overdone, and I wonder if it can be a slippery slope – you get used to your new semi-frozen look so get more and more.

But hey, maybe they like that look! Personally I don’t, and I find it really offputting watching frozen-faced actors and presenters.

It’s like make up, you can go for the natural look or you can go all in, it’s no one’s business but your own.

I don’t and I wouldn’t. I know it’s very common in the school mum circle, their choice. It might start off looking ok but it doesn’t look good longer term imo.
it is individuals choice though so whilst I think it looks bad if they’re happy then good for them.
My only worry is the messaging to young girls and their perception of what you need to do to look good/get on.

I never looked old, had to still show ID at times in my 40s, but I have my frown lines done twice a year. It stops me from getting those constant headaches when driving or out in the sun - and I spend the majority of time outdoors so it's been a life changer. It also stops my one droopy eye, which both aches and looks awful when I'm tired. I'd be lying if I didn't like the effects it's had on my face, but it's more a "don't look tired and haggard" rather than "frozen and can't show expression".

Correct. I haven't had it. Would be crossing a line. I don't think I look like an old leather bag, as pp said. I think my forehead is pretty smooth, thanks to Tret. Lower half of my face is saggy though.

I think you’re throwing money at a mission that will inevitably be ultimately futile, and in the process making it more difficult for yourself emotionally to make your peace with ageing. Your money, but I’m not going to pretend it’s a decision I have any time for. And you’re contributing to normalising the practice, and increasing the social pressure on others to do the same, which irritates me.

I am not one who says you can always tell and even if you could its probably not possible to tell from one fuzzy, still photo of your face where we can't even see the texture of your skin.

I'd hate to be that judgy

I have it.

I like the look.

I've had deep horizontal frown lines on my forehead since childhood, and 11s throughout my adult life. These are not wrinkles, they're deep gouges in my skin caused my the muscle in my face.

I think I look a lot more relaxed in the face. I physically can't frown! I think life without frowning actually feels better too?!

I don't use a lot of makeup or, or go in for any fancy treatments. But I've had my eyebrows micro bladed, my teeth straightened, and I gave very subtle colour in my hair although I have some grey too. I use cheapo SPF every day and Nivea blue cream at night.

I'm not really bothered about wrinkles or laughter lines, although I'm starting to get a bit of gravitational pull on my lower face.

I think I look pretty natural and good for my age.

That's ok, isn't it?

I don't have it and never will. When I age enough to get wrinkles, I'll happily keep them, a smooth face looks too unnatural and it isn't for me.
As for other people having botox, I don't think it's anywhere near as natural-looking as they think, but it's their decision so I wouldn't mention it. The only times I've thought about it more than just noticing it on other people are when 2 people I know got it done and ruined naturally good looks. One looked quite swollen, even more than a week after it, and the other just looked unnatural. I thought it was a shame, but never said anything as obviously as it's up to them and how they feel about it.

It is low self esteem brought about by societal expectations a lot of the time, I think. Of course some of it will be plain vanity, but why are women so concerned about hiding wrinkles and not having frown lines/forehead grooves? Some posters have mentioned doing it to keep their job. You don't see that sort of expectation on men, as a whole.
I'm not having anything injected into me for cosmetic reasons, no matter how much pressure there is, for many reasons, but a lot of people will.

I applied for a couple of jobs recently where I fulfilled all the specs, but didn't get them. Too old perhaps. Maybe ai should get Botox 😢

I know of a couple of people who have it for work. I think that's rather sad. To explain, not that I mean there's anything wrong with Botox as I've tried it myself (baby botox) around a year ago and think it's a great freshener, the frozen look is not obligatory.

One of my friends is truly beautiful, and in her 40s, but looks mid 30s, and really doesn't need the botox in my opinion, but she has said that in her industry ageism is particularly bad (from women and men, apparently!) so she would like to present as young as possible.

Blimey you pay a lot more than me - I'm 58 and have always had a deep vertical line between my eyebrows, I could only afford to have it done now. According to my therapist, I had a medium/high dose (about 6 injection sites....could only feel a very small sting). I noticed a difference (which is what I wanted) but no one else did including my family so I certainly didn't have that Botox look.

I pay £140 per session and she won't book me in until a minimum of 3 months has passed.

In my area botox is less than £200, apart from one exclusive clinic and the reviews from that place aren't great. That's for three areas and top ups at review appointment.

Longer lasting botox is over 200. I don't know the name of it.

Nobody in my family noticed I'd had botox either. Presumably because I could still move my eyebrows.

I can’t be arsed getting it. I have slightly angry resting bitch face, but that’s fair because I am a slightly angry resting bitch. Why do we need to look relaxed and agreeable? Better people are fore warmed! 😂

😂So am I, really.

I have it twice a year. Have done for many years. I don't look down on or judge women that don't have it but they certainly like to judge those of us that do have it. Sad and very telling.,