I finally stumped up for Bottox and wow what a difference!

[smilingnotfrowning]

I don't consider myself to be a big beauty addict but 2 weeks ago I had Bottox and its made a subtle but significant difference. I've noticed people smiling back at me more and I realise that it must be because I don't look perpetually worried. No one in real life has figured out what I've done so I had to come onto to MN to share my news!

Eliza I think if you research who you go to the risk would be quite low, although not zero risk I guess. Most of the horror stories are connected with crap / unqualified practitioners aren't they?

I understand the worry though - I was so nervous the first time I went!

I've been having it for 8 years. I've used 3 practitioners and am happiest with my current one. Take recommendations if you can, especially at first, as you really have no idea what is 'right'. I've found I actually have less of it as I get older. Particularly as my current practitioner has a very straightforward pricing structure, which doesn't 'bundle' t up so you end up having more than you really need. I mean the £230 for one are, £250 for two areas type of structure. Current girl does £125 for one area, with a follow up appointment in two weeks if you think it hasn't taken so well. is the best way of preventing you from having a totally immobile face just because you've spent the money. I find it last about 11 months too. I've never needed the top up. A good practitioner will tell you all about the potential droopy eyelid side effect and so on, but it has never happened to me.

I've never regretted it and didn't think twice about doing it. If we knew what was in a lot of our food and pharmaceuticals we might not like it.

I too have less. My doctor is ok with this and always says come back in a fortnight if you want a top up but I never do. I think kylie etc have too much too often. I always let it wear right off and I think that helps it look natural.

ive had it a couple of times. I love it. I dont tend to tell anyone though. Only my partner knows. I just have it in my number 11 wrinkles between my eyebrows and it makes me look less frowny and more rested. It actually seems to make me feel less tensiony headachy tooo

smilingnotfrowning I think botox has been used to help with migraines hasn't it - so that would make sense! Think there was something in the news recently about this?

sorry, that was to Strumpet!

Any recommendations for the Cheltenham area please?

Was it once given to stroke victims when the muscles of their faces were affected. I'd like to give it a go but haven't got the courage. I think that some stars do look a bit mask like. For example say Marcia Cross who plays Bree in Desperate Housewives. She is very attractive but still has a bit of that mask look.

I have had it for the thirs time now in over 2 years - I too let it wear off completely. I think it looks great - it makes me feel a lot happier, I am a compulsive frowner, and also spend all day frowining at spreadsheets at the like. So it helps with that -i don't look at all younger, I don't want to, but less miserable and stressed. Only have one area - between eyebrows. I like my crows feet - I think smiley lines are attractive, just not the frowny ones.

10 I go to a woman called alison taylor in cheltenham - her web page is skindetox .co. Uk - I really recommend her.

I think a lot of celebrities that look quite bad is maybe down to them being in the public eye so much that they feel they can't let it wear off completely and so go for more top ups. I could be talking absolute nonsense but that's my theory anyway.

I'd love Botox, I have massive number 11s and I look cross all the time which is not helpful in my job.

I'm way too chicken though...

I don't see why radical feminists can't have Botox....

Don't be chicken. The pain is on a par with plucking your eyebrows ie, a bit of a momentary sting then nothing and you will be truely amazed at the difference in the 11s.

Any recommendations for the north London area? I don't kow what I should get doe but I'm starting to get wrinkly.

Any recommendations for the South Yorkshire or north east Derbyshire area please?

I hate plucking my eyebrows too! I am a wuss with pain. Do you feel the needle go in?

It's really not that bad Tigerseye! The worse bit is hearing it, rather than how painful it is, if that makes sense?

But it's finished with so quick it really is not that bad. Injections and trips to the dentist are far worse! (and I'm a real wuss when it comes to injections or the dentist).

I leave at least 4 months between top-ups, so I think that lets it completely wear out. Maybe that is the key to a more natural look? 4 months isn't bad for me I think - 40 years of squinting in sunlight has really made its mark. Gawd if only I could find the cure for these under eye furrows

If you knew me, you really wouldn't have me down as your stereotypical botox user (whatever that may be but I think the media portrays the wags etc.). I'm actually a real scruffbag lol. But the lines in these 2 places are so pronounced and they really bring me down when I see them. I'm only just 40, I'm, erm, YOUNG for goodness sake compared with ninety year olds

People didn't smile at you until you had Botox?

I'm 47 with my share of lines - people smile at me all the time

I'm not anti- botox for others - knock yourselves out, but not for me thanks. I have enough scars and health issues as it is without taking even a tiny additional risk to make my skin smoother.

It's all about how you perceive things though isn't it Kew?

I've suffered from chronic self-esteem my whole life, probably due to an older sister who physically and emotionally abused me until I was lucky enough to leave home.

If you, like me, were told your whole childhood that you were ugly, disgusting and adopted because no one else could bear looking at you etc., looks become a focal point of your unhappiness with yourself.

I know you will now be thinking, well therapy would have been better, and yes, I have had therapy! To the point that I'd just got to the point of actually liking what I see in the mirror, but bugger I'm now 40 and getting wrinkly (earlier than I wanted and I think caused by my old stupid fault).

So sue me because I now want to improve, quite easily, what I've been too late in realising I like!

I am sorry for your health issues though.

Sounds good OP. I'm only 35, but I have those verticle lines between my eyebrows that make me look like I'm a bit cross all the time.

The only thing that puts me off is the fact that it's expensive and it doesn't seem to last that long.

Question for botox users - how long does each treatment really last?

I had mine done about 2 months ago and I'm starting to see faint lines reemerging so will prob have another around Xmas if I can afford it.

I know some folk can go for 6 mths before another lot. Bitches

BUt forgot to add, my deep deep line in between eyebrows has NEVER come back. Just lines on forehead

Mine lasts ages - a good 8 or 9 months or so.

I thinl the cost is negligible. I never buy any potions to put on my skin other than sunblock and lidl moisturiser, so think it is more cost effective than some shite from Estee Lauder or whateveR at 50 a pop every few months.

I have horizontal lines on my forehead and I am only just 40 . I would help with that, wouldn't it, as well as for number 11s?