So Botox, what do I need to know?

[MadameCastafiore]

Am nearly 38 and although haven't got any lines, was told that you had to have Botox before they started appearing? Is this right?

And what else do I need to know about it? Will it hurt? How often do you have to have it?

Thank you MC

Erm, you don't 'have to' have it all, MC.
Unless you want to end up looking permanently as if you have a cold/have been crying, and/or you like the 'pillow face' look a couple of years down the line, that is...

Sending an un-Botoxed

Botox is not a filler and it's therefore impossible for it to give the pillow face look. If you don't have any lines or wrinkles, then I wouldn't have it done yet. Wait until you can see the 11's creeping in, then have it done. It doesn't hurt. Equivalent to the nip of plucking your eyebrows.

It doesn't hurt. You can move your eyebrows after having it. It really works. You need to have it about every 6 months. Wait until you start seeing lines.

Mango is presumably talking about fillers, which can, if used excessively give a puffed up effect.

I've just had my 11s done. I absolutely love it. I look younger, less stressed, happier.
I can still raise my eyebrows and stuff, definitely not frozen.
Can't recommend it highly enough.

OK - I stand corrected WRT my ignorance about Botox and fillers. I see they are not the same and don't work in the same way.
But... is it really so terrible to allow your face to reflect your age?
I really have problems with this idea that visible ageing is distasteful and undesirable. Sorry if this is the wrong place to mention it.

No Mango - it's not terrible to allow your face to reflect your age and there is whole other arena of debate about women's appearence and societal impacts. BUT I don't expect you look younger than I am just slightly less haggard. And this is S&B so we're allowed to be shallow and self obsessed

you to

Agree with ^. I'm ageing and it's visible and I'm trying to go with it largely because I have no choice and it's better than the alternative but a little dose of Botox to just soften the lines every 6 months or so helps me feel a shade better about the whole thing. I don't look frozen or strange and not one person has ever even mentioned it. I can totally move my face and my eyebrows, as I just have the minimum done to keep the 11s at bay.

I'd like to know how you got to 38 with no lines?
If you're young enough Botox can remove faint static lines that have already formed. No idea about prevention, I've had it since 29!

Big sunglasses, even in the winter and lots of face cream and sun block.

Should I start before the lines come or wait till I actually have them.

What are 11's

Go and have a free no obligation consultation with a reputable consultant.

Tear trough about £500

Filler about £200 per area.

If I didn't have any lines I certainly wouldn't get it done! But alas I am northern European coloured brought up in an southern hemisphere sunshine!

I really wouldn't bother until you have lines - you won't see any difference so not sure what the point would be.

11s are the frown lines you get between your eyes. They look like 2 little vertical lines, hence being called 11s. Botox will address horizontal lines too but is a little more obvious in my experience. Not a lot and it depends on the skill of the practitioner but not as discreet as having the 11s done. As Mrs CB says, you won't see any difference if you have no lines, so don't waste your money.

I have it primarily to address the horizontal lines between my eyes and lower forehead lines.

So I still have some movement but you can't really see any lines.

I love it but would wait until you need it.

Where/how do you find a good botoxer?

I've been to SK:n and Transform and never had an issue. I also used a local beauty salon who had a visiting practitioner one night a month and they made me look like Spock! Everyone will have different advice but I'd start with one of the main clinics and ask for their most experienced doc.

Schmaltzing - botox does the = lines as well. I have the benefit of those too but they are almost invisible now I've had botox.

LastMango,

I've used this analogy before on here but when your house starts to fall apart you don't give in to its inevitable decline, you maintain it. I see it as face maintenance. I wouldn't say it makes me look younger, just better.

Well, fillers. But I'm too scared for them. I've seen them being put in and they do work but you've got to have a great technician who doesn't overfill

I'm planning on trying fillers soon, can come back and report if everyone wants to know more?

Diva, fillers for those lines.