Tell me about Botox?

[ImInStealthMode]

I'm 38, never considered any sort of 'intervention' at all, despite a few friends extolling the virtues of Botox.

This week I had a make up trial done for my wedding in the summer and all I can see in photos is the lines on my forehead, as shown below. Probably because the make up is heavier than I'd usually wear, but still. They don't usually bother me at all but for the wedding I'd like to look my absolute best.

Would a bit of Botox smooth these out? Would I need to keep it up afterwards forever or just have it once and then revert back to 'nature' afterwards? What are the risks?

I'd rather not ask the friends as in the past I've been quite vocally against clinical intervention

Thanks!

Yes it would get rid of or greatly reduce those lines.

You don't have to keep it up forever but I think it can be addictive.

Keeping it up does mean the issue doesn't get any worse so when you do stop you have frozen time, not just your face.

Do you need heavy make up for the wedding? Have you tried Frownies? They are v temporary but might do for a day.

Thank you. The wedding make up isn't especially heavy, but I don't wear any at all day to day, and only a bit of mineral foundation if I'm going out, so any sort of full coverage seems 'heavy' in comparison.

I've not heard of Frownies so will check them out.

I have botox every 6 months and started when I was 50 which was 3 years ago. It’s been particularly good on the forehead area, I wish I’d started a bit earlier.
This photo is my forehead. It’s just over 5 months since I last for Botox.
I also don’t wear any foundation as I hate the feel of it.

A bit of Botox would look great on those lines for your wedding day- not too much though and give it a few weeks to settle- you don't want a frozen face!

I think it could help quite a bit! I just wanted to chime in with my top tips which are:

1. Only have it done by an actual doctor with years of experience. Ideally a cosmetic surgeon, a dentist or someone used to working with facial reconstruction/movement. No beauty therapists etc.
2. If you can, try to find videos of previous clients or get recommendations from friends so you can see the results for yourself.

If you're looking for someone in London I'm happy to give you a name. I've had forehead Botox for a few years and I'm very happy with the results.

That is really a very simple job with Botox.

Yes Botox will absolutely sort that out for you. You can only have it once if you like as it does wear off.

Agreed please find a good practitioner ( it will mean paying more: sorry!) - mine is a dentist as well as an aesthetician so her knowledge of facial anatomy is excellent and clinical.

Also have it a good month before your wedding to give it time to settle.

I have it and it makes a huge difference.

Some forehead Botox will get rid of those lines and as others have said if you don't like it you don't have to have it down again as it only lasts about 3/4 months.

@nevth I'd appreciate a name please! I'm in London

Yes I had similar lines and Botox erased them. I still have movement and don’t look frozen. It is amasing. Can’t believe I didn’t start earlier as makes such a difference!

My tip, have it now then if you don't like the look it will have mostly worn off by the summer, and if you do, you can get it redone for the wedding.

It's not vegan so if you are I guess it's a no go.

It's tested on animals but the botox itself is animal product free. For clarity.

Mine lasts 5 to 6 months.

Thank you all! My Sister in Law has recommended a Dr led clinic nearby so I have a consultation booked next week.

@DedalusBloom

It's tested on animals but the botox itself is animal product free. For clarity.

From Vegan Review:

Is Botox suitable for vegans?
Vegans who wish to engage in cosmetics procedures have to consider that Botox prepared by using an egg base. In addition, doctors advised not to administer the substance to anyone suffering from an egg allergy as it could trigger an allergic reaction.

Well I did not know that! Thank you.

No problem. As you say each batch is also tested on mice. It's awful for something which is being used cosmetically imo.

I'm not vegan but I wouldn't use it because of this.

As pps have said - Botox would make a big difference on those lines, and the right amount could just smooth them out a bit (rather than the full frozen head look).
Be aware though, that if you exercise a lot, it wears off more quickly. The effects only last 2 months on me, so I can't afford to keep it up as much as I would like.

I have it done twice. Lots of my friends and family would think it's very vain and unnecessary. I am not really into wearing lots of make up etc etc. but......I didn't like having a massive line/dent in my face! I had my 11's, crows feet and forehead. But a light touch and then had a small top up two weeks later. I can still move my forehead but no big lines anymore! Made me feel much better about myself.

The photos published of the Duchess of Cambridge today, in Belize, are a great example of what really good forehead Botox looks like (the pics where she's in the pink Vampire's Wife dress).

She doesn't look frozen, overly shiny, or lacking in expression. In fact you'd barely know unless a) you'd seen previous photos of her, especially when pregnant, with very visible forehead lines, and b) you knew to look for the tell tale sign of eyebrows not rising very much, if at all, when smiling.

Yes I was thinking the same looking at the Duchess today. It’s very well done Botox. But there have been times previously where she’s had more wrinkles. That’s the only tell tale sign. She looks great.

Been for a consultation today and all booked in for about 3 and a half weeks before the wedding as if we do it now (10 weeks before) apparently it'll have started to lose it's effect.

A bit nervous in case I hate it, but worse case scenario I guess I just get an emergency fringe cut in?

Just wanted to pop back and update; thanks for all the advice. The picture attached was taken 4 days after my first appointment and with a similar amount of make-up on to the first picture. I'm delighted!