Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Botox - your thoughts please!

36 replies

Cavagirl · 25/07/2020 13:50

I am considering getting botox but would really appreciate some views.
I am mid 30s & my face is pretty wrinkle free, I am lucky in that respect especially as I am partial to the odd glass of wine as my name would suggest. However I am developing two vertical frown lines in between my eyebrows. My mum has the same & hers are now extremely deep. Mine at the moment are fine lines but i feel if I want to fix them I need to nip them in the bud. They are caused by involuntary frowning I know - I've tried but can't stop and - thanks to zoom calls - I frown way more than I realised!
A friend (botox fan) told me you only need a few rounds of botox as the muscle-freezing effect eventually means you break the habit that's caused the wrinkle. This sounds logical to me and also sounds like what I need.
However I don't want a frozen face like some of the massively over-botoxed people you see on TV!
Advice & experiences very welcome, thank you

OP posts:
ThatsHowWeRowl · 25/07/2020 13:56

I have noticed I am getting the same vertical lines on my forehead and have decided that there is no way I am paying a ridiculous amount of money for someone to inject poison into my face to fix it. Who cares really?!

Not very helpful sorry, but I just do not get botox, it's becoming rife where I live!

Stroller15 · 25/07/2020 13:57

I get Botox for my 11s. I love it, it's not a lot and I can do all the usual expressions, just not the constant, involuntary frowning. People just notice I seem more relaxed and happy. I'd say go for it.

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/07/2020 13:58

It’s up to you just research your practitioners really well.

OhioOhioOhio · 25/07/2020 13:58

It's not for me and at 44 I think you are really young to start something like that.

MoltonSilver · 25/07/2020 14:00

Go for it. It's temporary. If you don't like it don't do it again.

illbestraightback · 25/07/2020 14:06

I started using it at about 30 (I'm many years on from that now!) as I had a very pronounced frown line which was getting deeper. It's been amazing and I get it a couple of times a year now by way of 'affirmative action' rather than starting it in a few decades time when the wrinkles are so deep the effect is unnaturally obvious and treatment is much more expensive! Currently the effect is very significant to me but no one else can tell or see it. It's a misconception that you will lose all movement and be 'frozen' and a good practitioner will guide you through the best options for your needs and concerns. If it's for you, go for it, but if not, don't. But don't be shamed by people talking about 'injecting poison into your face' or suggesting because it's not for them, it shouldn't be for anyone. Good luck x

MolotovMocktail · 25/07/2020 14:09

Ignore all the “injecting poison” bollocks. The dose maketh the poison, and in the case of Botox the dose is very low and thus very safe. It’s great, give it a go. If you don’t like it it’ll be gone after 4 months.

PhoebeFriends · 25/07/2020 14:23

I would definitely go for it- I waited until my late 40s and wished I’d started sooner as although the lines are less pronounced they are there too stay. I wouldn’t be without it now though and it has reduced my headaches from involuntarily frowning in my sleep!

Original poster
Cavagirl · 25/07/2020 14:34

Thanks so much everyone!
For those that have done it for frown lines, roughly how much does it cost per treatment and how often do you have it? I'm in London so I'll be paying top end presumably.
Other than online reviews & word of mouth is there anything else I should be looking for in a practitioner? Any qualifications?!

OP posts:
PhoebeFriends · 25/07/2020 14:37

£169 around every 4 months, at a clinic in Leeds- I asked for recommendations on MN and am v pleased.

illbestraightback · 25/07/2020 14:51

My advice is to go to a Doctor-led clinic and not a cosmetic nurse, and ensure the treatment is carried out by a doctor.

I pay £275 but I now have two areas treated so this is a higher cost than what I'd pay for one area.

If you have friends who've had it done, ask them for recommendations and then research the clinics they've used, including checking their registration details on the GMC website.

illbestraightback · 25/07/2020 14:52

Oh and also I have it every 4-6months depending on when I can fit it in!

thisgirlrides · 25/07/2020 15:05

Can I just refer everyone who thinks 'no one can ever tell' to a thread asking whether you should tell a friend her fillers look crap....(if you can't be bothered to look the overwhelming advice was keep quiet so actually everyone might notice but no one will ever tell you GrinWink)

MolotovMocktail · 25/07/2020 15:18

Wasn’t that thread about great big trout lips though? A little Botox between the eyes is rather more subtle.

illbestraightback · 25/07/2020 15:45

thisgirlrides

Fillers are an entirely different kettle of fish, but even then, a decent practitioner would - aside from the potential of an allergic reaction - stop before the overfill.

For example I asked my practitioner about lip enhancers. He told me, and was very firm, that his advice - specific to my face - was to not use them due to the current shape and volume, and to get a good lip liner instead. I had previously had a consultation with a leading cosmetic surgery company who have a very well-known name which advised me (the nurse practitioner) I'd get 'great results' if I used restylane.

That being said, there are many many people in my life who use fillers and its not remotely obvious. They just look a bit more, glowy, but it's not in any way clear why. Then there are the few where it's absolutely blinding but often, that's the look they wanted. This is why researching practitioners (the good and the bad!) is so important. For example, if I knew someone who had bad fillers or bad botox, I'd ask them who did it and then avoid like the plague.

A small bit of botox on a frown line isn't going to give anyone the Frozen lookof horror some associate with botox. Most people would probably be very very surprised at the people they already know who've had it xx

Original poster
Cavagirl · 25/07/2020 18:08

Thanks everyone. I'll get researching!
If anyone has any recommendations for southwest London please PM me! 🙂

OP posts:
TableNiner · 25/07/2020 19:27

I’d say this is a good time to start if you are going to as it will prevent more frowning and more lines, but it is an expensive commitment, and Also once you fix one bit it may mean you just start worrying about something else!

GlamGiraffe · 25/07/2020 19:35

Use the tatler guide. It doesnt have to he this years they have had some good doctors in there over the years. There are a few years worth online. They list cosmetic doctors who practice fillers and botox as specialisms as well as other things. They go in and out if favour, its finding one you like who you think you can get on with.

JinglingHellsBells · 25/07/2020 20:17

Cosmetic Skin Clinic is one of the best in London- just off Harley St. Phone for prices as it depends on how much product they use.

JinglingHellsBells · 25/07/2020 20:18

As above- they are all qualified doctors.

RonaldMcDonald · 25/07/2020 21:05

I get fillers and botox
I use baby botox and the fillers have only been used for structural volume loss and a little to ensue my lip retained a Cupid’s bow when it began to flatten like Voldemort’s
I’ve posted my lips on here before and was told even by naysayers that they couldn’t tell
Get a great surgeon who does a lot of this work and use sparingly
I don’t want to and would be raging to look done
I have friends who want people to see the money they spend on their faces
Mine is to refresh minimally

Elouera · 25/07/2020 21:18

I'd be cautious of anywhere that offers botox in a beauty salon, say once a week when 'someone' comes in to do it. I'd also never consider it from a friend at home, or anywhere that doesnt have an epipen and resus training if something went wrong such as an allergy.

My 1st choice would be a cosmetic surgeon, then a regular Dr, then a practitioner with extra aesthetics training such as an aesthetics nurse. My dentist offered it, which I was really surprised at. But in actual fact, they are a Dr and can prescribe, and have also trained in the anatomy of the face likely far more than just a general GP or nurse.

It depends how many areas you have done, but 3 areas seems to be the norm. They might try to also sell fillers, but I can't comment as never tried them. I pay £295 for 3 areas in central London, near Monument station. Ideally, I'd go every 4mths, but with work and other commitments, its often closer to every 6-8mths.

Original poster
Cavagirl · 26/07/2020 16:05

Thanks so much everyone! I'll report back if I can! 😊

OP posts:
BlackSwan · 26/07/2020 16:08

Tatler Guide my arse, whoever recommended that - the practitioners all pay to be listed, don’t be naive.

TooFrickinHot · 26/07/2020 16:20

I had it done on my 11s at the sk:n clinic in Woodford (it's a chain and I'm sure all the others are fine too). I really liked it and am planning to get it done again when I'm finished with pregnancy and breastfeeding. My top tips would to be very clear that you want the 11s done only.. There will be "deals" for getting extra areas (crows feet, forehead etc) done - but resist! Getting too much done is how you end up with frozen face... Just go for the frown lines and see how it goes.