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Original poster

Can a feminist use botox

80 replies

LunaTheCat · 19/01/2019 16:38

Ok, mid 50’s. Lifetime non smoker and high SPF sunscreen user (proper sunscreen, not added to moisturiser) . I have always been anti Botox. Want to age naturally, deplore the pressire on women to look a certain way. Think that women having Botox in their 20’s and early 30’s terrible insight endoghtment on how women are viewed in society BUT for the last 6 months seriously tempted. ... help ! Stay strong or give in? (Maybe this should be on feminism board) would love to hear from other women in my age group .

OP posts:
Floisme · 19/01/2019 17:23

I wouldn't use it for a number of reasons, some of them feminist. For example I object to the pressures on women to look younger, and also not to look cross or tired - a reason which is often cited for using it on on here.

Other reasons are more pragmatic: I think it's totally pointless as wrinkles aren't the worst sign of aging by a long way.

But I wouldn't say you weren't a feminist if you did it, I would just have a difference of opinion with you over it. Feminists disagree on lots of things. It's not a religion or a cult.

Jiggins · 19/01/2019 17:25

CountFosco I reckon Marian Halcombe would have said 'pah' to botox.

CountFosco · 19/01/2019 17:40

CountFosco I reckon Marian Halcombe would have said 'pah' to botox.

Oh absolutely! Lydia Gwilt would have definitely used it though. I feel like a 'which Wilkie Collin's character reflects your feminism' quiz is required!

MrsJayy · 19/01/2019 17:46

Botox and fillers is seen as an extention of make up young girls going to beauty salons for their lip filler and botox I think it is quite frightening that these girls get this done to feel beautiful how far is it going to go?

MrsJayy · 19/01/2019 17:48

Yes god forbid women look cross or tired we have to look fresh and rejuvinated Hmm

MrsJayy · 19/01/2019 17:50

i meant young women in my post but they are my Dds age so I see them as girls

StarlightLady · 19/01/2019 17:52

I’m not one for botox and I am a feminist.

But the answer is yes, feminist can go for botox, wear lipstick, a touch of lace, show cleavage, remove body hair and be pampered at the spa. Feminism is about what feels good for you!

Apileofballyhoo · 19/01/2019 17:58

I'd say get it. I refuse to wear high heels (they are not comfortable and it's not a natural posture) though I did when I was younger. I hate the worry lines on my forehead and am not adverse to using lotions and potions on my skin to stop them from getting worse. I never wear make up. If I could afford botox I probably would. I don't think taking care of your appearance for your own personal sake is anti-feminist.

WhiteWashGails · 19/01/2019 18:03

I’m in beauty and I think anything semi is okay.

I don’t PERSONALLY (flame away) like nose jobs or boobs etc unless medically needed or deep psychological reasons due to appearance happen

But Botox, fillers that fade, facials, hair dye, anything not meant to change too much is okay.

And that’s before you add feminism to it actually. Don’t know how I factor that in personally

HumptyNumptyNooNoo · 19/01/2019 18:05

I'm finding it very hard to understand why anyone would think it's even anyone else's business if they chose to have Botox or not ?! What you do with your own body is your own business and it doesn't matter what 'tribe' you associate with or what views you hold or what colour your socks are even !

StarlightLady · 19/01/2019 19:21

Of course it is nobody else’s busines, but on this occasion somebody else asked us what we thought.

PS: Burgandy coloured socks today. Grin

elle1111112 · 19/01/2019 19:22

Yes of course!!! That's like asking can a feminist wear makeup?

janknitti · 19/01/2019 19:55

Of course you can !! Read the Guilty Feminist or listen to the podcasts for more of these types of dilemmas

sizzledrizz · 19/01/2019 20:20

Each to their own, but I like looking like a middle aged woman and refuse to look less haggard, grumpy, tired, or old than I already am. If I'm pissed off with someone, I want them to see it on my lined face

FruitCider · 19/01/2019 23:36

I'm a feminist and run a botox practice, so yes 😉

NameChanger22 · 19/01/2019 23:37

Why would anyone want botox? It almost always looks fake and weird.

RageAgainstTheVendingMachine · 19/01/2019 23:45

indictment

TheToffeeTruckinTown · 20/01/2019 00:23

Each to their own, but I like looking like a middle aged woman and refuse to look less haggard, grumpy, tired, or old than I already am. If I'm pissed off with someone, I want them to see it on my lined face

I love this post. It is one of my favourite posts on MN ever. Totally agree.

The fact is, what you do does have an impact because it makes frozen face blow up doll the norm. Therefore it is a feminist issue.

Ollivander84 · 20/01/2019 00:34

@NameChanger22 that's the bad ones you notice! The good ones you don't. I have it and it's not noticeable

Jiggins · 20/01/2019 00:41

On occasion someone has confided in me that they'd had botox. I expressed surprise....to be polite. Obviously I'd already clocked it.

Ollivander84 · 20/01/2019 00:46

Ignore the crappy selfie (was doing a makeup pic!) , with Botox. I have it to get rid of a one sided line I got during 4 months of severe pain before spinal surgery. Every time I looked in the mirror, I looked in pain and I wanted rid. Not to look younger, but because it wasn't a "natural" ageing line, it was literally pain etched on my face

Can a feminist use botox
Original poster
LunaTheCat · 20/01/2019 07:01

Thank you for the thoughtful replies. Food for thought! It is the principal that concerns me as well as the ongoing cost - I imagine it will be hard to stop and the cost over years will be huge - at this stage of my life that money would probably be best used for experiences - holidays and time with my lovely husband!

OP posts:
FruitCider · 20/01/2019 07:56

Why would anyone want botox? It almost always looks fake and weird.

Only if done badly!

FruitCider · 20/01/2019 07:57

The fact is, what you do does have an impact because it makes frozen face blow up doll the norm. Therefore it is a feminist issue.

I hate to break it to you but frozen face - bad botox.

CountFosco · 20/01/2019 08:12

I hate to break it to you but frozen face - bad botox.

Totally missing the point. The more people that do any 'beauty' treatment the more people will think it's necessary to look acceptable. Historically women didn't shave, didn't wear make-up, didn't dye their hair, didn't paint their nails. Now if you look on threads about looking polished all of those are listed as the minimun you should do. Botox and cosmetic surgery seems to be going the same way among certain classes of women.