Face care at 50 to Botox or not to botox that is the question....

[user1483699375]

Hello girls
What to do?? Having looked pretty good on minimum input all these years I am now finding myself more than a little fed up with bloody annoying lines on my face. The ones from my nose to my mouth are the worst, very aging (having just seen some awful photos recently taken - very depressing). Also, I spend a lot of time working outside which I love, but feel I am now looking less sun-kissed and more weather beaten. I have no idea where to start when faced with a menu of choices at the vanity parlour, I'm open minded to anything right up to a full sandpaper and face lift but would love some advice from those of a similar age who have already tried these things (ps I'll post on Gransnet as well to capture the right age group TIA

I started just before my 50th, forehead and frown lines. Generally only need a treatment every 7 to 9 months, but a goid night's sleep is also essential now and again.
It is vital to find an excellent practitioner, though. I ahve had treatments in Dublin, Zurich and Germany. Zurich and Germany very good, Dublin not so good, but still fine.

If you go to the right cosmetic dr they will advise you. I had a tiny bit of filler some years ago in my late 50s- had it 4 times on my upper cheeks. The dr suggested Botox wasn't the answer. The best drs will tell you what you need and which products. The only reason I stopped was the cost (£750 Harley St - one of the best in the UK) and the pain- some soreness for a week afterwards. You can get a lot done with injectables but you need to keep having them done. I was getting around 18 months out of mine.

If you work outside are you using spf50 every day?

Yes, I am hot on the factor 50 for face neck and decolletage , I'm thinking fillers rather than botox, and am wondering about microdermabrasion or the rather alarming named chemical peels, but dont want to spend £100s on ineffective wishy washy treatments...

Do it. Life-changing.

I didn't go down the route of Botox, as it just didn't appeal to me. If you get someone who does it wrong, then you've got frozen-face - very obviously. And you don't want microdermabrasion necessarily (or chemical peels) unless you're concerned about the top layer of skin. It doesn't sound as though you need it.

I have hyaluronic acid expanders in my vertical lines, and lots of teeny weeny hyaluronic acid injections in the backs of my hands as they're very 'old lady hands', on my neck/under my chin (this with a funny kind of roller) and on my décolletage.

I'm 54 by the way.

I am 55. Had Botox in London last year to lift my droopy eyelids and smooth out crows feet. Totally brilliant. I still have loads of facial movement, no frozen face but look so much fresher and brighter. I will continue as long as I can afford it.

If you go to a dermatologist the peels WILL have a significant difference. Laser treatment looks promising, once you get the skin you want you just need maintenance..

ChinUp intrigued by your neck treatments. Who does it?

OP, I'd avoid Botox unless you have very strong forehead lines. As others have said, look at improving the quality of your skin by having RF, IPL, laser and regular facials. Then try a little filler in the temples and cheeks - works wonders at lifting the face.

I'm trying to avoid Botox but my frown lines really bother me. I'm interested in the hyaluronic acid expanders? What's the treatment called?
I'm having Caci facials at the moment and doing some facial exercises but not sure it's enough.

Hey OP I'm 45 and did consider Botox or fillers but firstly I got a fringe cut in (to hide the forehead) and then went for IPL which significantly improved my skin. I have top ups. I might consider fillers longer term but very happy with the IPL result

Fillers will make a massive improvement in the naso-labial (mouth to nose) lines. Not for everyone, but for me they are the difference between feeling confident and not.

What does IPL do for your skin? Does it improve the texture??

I had my 11's botoxed as I'm pretty line free apart from that. I have it once every 5 months and I'm very happy with it. I'm interested in IPL as i don't want the pull backed look as i get older.
I've had acid peels to help my acne and they were pointless.

Looked up IPL but it seems to be about improving the texture of your skin rather than reducing wrinkles? I might investigate microneedling..

Right, thanks for all the advice, I've got myself booked in for an assessment this weekend to see what might be the best course of action. And I've decided to address the outgrown highlights as well! Go me!

I've just looked up IPL. It took me to the Indian Premiere League.

Why are people anti-botox? (not being goady- genuinely wondering?) I went to a clinic (with aesthetic doctors, one of whom was a schoolfriend and I trust) and was advised that my under eye skin sag/ crepeyness was better fixed with laser resurfacing, but that some of my crows feet might benefit from botox. Surely the risks are low (and it wears off?)

I think I'm worried about the 'overdone' look with Botox. Also, it doesn't give you good skin, just freezes the lines. However, I'm not sure anything else will be effective on my frown lines. I don't want to change the way my face looks and moves though. Tricky.

The most off putting thing about botox, well second most off putting thing after worrying it might look awful, is that if you decide to stop botoxing people will think 'crumbs, what's happened to Krimbler, she's aged 5 years in the last few months'.

I have a friend (younger than me) that had had botox for a couple of years, I think the best plan is to start off with a minimal amount and add to it as required, also have decided that my eyes always look tired...people keep asking me if I'm ok, which clearly translates as 'you look crap' !

I know, MIL does this 'ooh you look tired'. Drives me mad. I snapped at her last time 'I am' then ranted how this was my face now, one day I woke up looking really knackered and have stayed looking like that ever since. Not sure if there is a treatment for that..

That knackered around the eyes look might be tear troughs, which improve lots with fillers. Worth a google to see.

Botox does give you better skin though because the fact that you have the botox means that the lines don't form.

I have been having botox for the past five years. I have it every 5 months or so. I have very few lines, I can still move every muscle in my face fully and the practitioner I now go to ensures that it's placed to give me a brow life which makes me look younger. It is the best beauty treatment IMO. I get mates rates but at £110 which includes a top up after 4 weeks, its very much worth it.

I've got an appointment with a Harley St cosmetic dermatologist next week - nominally to get advice & treatment for hormonal acne (or at least spotty skin) but also first proper signs of ageing. I'm 35 and the last few years of failed IVF and miscarriages have taken their toll - crows feet have very much made their appearance. So I'm going to ask for advice about botox or filler to sort out my wrinkly eyes. If I'm going to be barren then I'm damn well going to try and be barren with decent skin! I shall report back :)

I've had fillers as my nose to mouth lines were pronounced and below my cheeks I had gone all hollow
My husband says he can't really tell but my friends say I have smooth skin and one said I look ten years younger
I'd rather have this than new clothes etc
Good luck