To Botox or not to Botox

[SuzanneSays]

Am turning 40 soon and have been pregnant or breastfeeding for nearly five years. Baby finally off boob, and I just look tired and my 11s are getting really strong. Am tempted to get Botox but could only really afford to do it once a year - is it worth it? Would have to do it secretly too as dh would think I’m a knob (grin)
Should I just do it?

I did it - I inherited ugly horizontal frown lines across my forehead - an unattractive family thing which makes us all look constantly angry . Botox got rid of them and I feel great ! I look happy for once ! I'd recommend it .

Hear hear

@followthestardis

On your first appointment, they will probably under treat you and ask you to go back for a review in 2-3 weeks, this may result in a slight top up or not dependant on the result. To keep the look treatment will be recommended again after 3/6 months depending on how fast it wears off.

Inject toxins into your body so that you match an unrealistic image of what a woman your age 'should' look like? If you want to, I guess. I wouldn't even if it were free or if I were paid to do it. I'm 48 and look like a 48 year-old. I'm fine with that.

I had it done recently suzannesays, had a consultation and felt very comfortable, said not too much (as I’m sure everyone says!) and basically let consultant do what she felt was sensible. My elevens haven’t gone as much as I’d hoped, but mine are DEEP, almost like a scar, but overall I just look a bit fresher and pulled together, I’m definitely going to continue i think as I do look less angry over all.

I wouldn’t want toxins injected into my face, who knows what that shit does longer term.

It's amazing, I'm 57 and it gets rid of that deep line in my forehead that looks awful. I'm not shiny or mask looking at all. The rest of my face is ok and it really makes me look so much better.

Do it if a) you’re not scared of needles and b) can afford the upkeep for the next 10-20 years at least.

Otherwise grow a fringe and learn to accept there’s (yet another) thing going wrong as we get older.

I don’t know about any specific face excercise aimed at this problem or forehead in general but it doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

I know what you mean about looking tired and your body and face will settle slowly but surely as the kids grow up and you get more regular sleep/rest. So will look a lot, lot better overall but those lines will still be there. If you eventually accept them, you might not need Botox.

Your face, your choice but you’re probably just dehydrated. Why don’t you invest in a decent skincare routine first. A good cleanse, decent hydrating serum, decent moisturiser, retinol at night and spf every day.

Get Botox. Spend your money on a decent practitioner. Nothing works quite like it, nothing

Personally I wouldn’t, sorry. I’d be concerned about the long-term effects we don’t know about yet. I’m also trying to embrace my aging melting face (it’s hard to sometimes, admittedly!)

I tried it (small amount) and had a very scary couldn’t get my breath properly or swallow incident (about two weeks after) so I’ve never tried again ... but have found these are really good
www.amazon.co.uk/s?hvlocphy=1007247&hvnetw=g&hvadid=259098957483&k=face+smoothies&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqKTV07uz5gIVhbTtCh3ffw7TEAAYASAAEgJIYfD_BwE&ref=pd_sl_53y7rr02an_e&hydadcr=13503_1718908&hvpos=1t1&hvdev=m&hvqmt=e&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=kwd-370206972207&adgrpid=53078688877&hvrand=8257881188588306875

Botox is not the be all and end all I think. And there are other effects. You immobilise one area (frown lines) and your face still needs to move so I found that wrinkles were created in other areas that there weren’t wrinkles before! I now have a lovely new vertical line down my forehead. The botox has worn off and I’m happy I can frown again using the correct muscles rather than scrunching up my eyes.

Ageing isn’t just fine lines and wrinkles, it’s loss of collagen, sun damage, jowls etc.

I’m now trying Retin-A. I’ve had laser facials, they’re good. There’s other stuff out there...

Delatron makes a very good point in the way different untreated areas will end up compensation for movement.
So it is a constant upkeep exercise which needs to be adjusted all the time.
I personally haven’t had it but you could consider starting on retinoids as future investment.
No7 laboratoire serum is quite good. It will only do so much, but I was very impressed with results.