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Original poster

Anyone else undecided about whether to Botox?

101 replies

Marmitepot · 01/01/2023 09:54

I’m 46 and although my skin is good and I don’t have too many wrinkles I know over once the Menopause kicks in they will get worse.

Thinking about a bit of Botox on my frown lines but don’t want to go down a rabbit hole of wanting more and more! And I definitely don’t want filler.
I also have quite heavy eyelids so would be nervous about having it on my forehead and crows feet as don’t want to look v different or have even more droopy eyelids.

also worried that once you have it you can never give it up!

Does anyone just have one area and have managed to just stick with that?

anyone else undecided?

OP posts:
coconotgrove · 01/01/2023 10:23

I think it's a slippery slope and once one is on it, it's difficult to not only increase the areas and number of treatments, but the types of injectables too. Also, once one starts on this journey, it's hard to stop.

I'm 47 and post-menopause. I take HRT which is hugely beneficial for my skin. Given the amount of stress I have been under, I have somehow escaped frown line and the dreaded 11s. I have lines, yes, but not particularly noticeable ones and they don't bother me enough to do anything about. No crow's feet, thankfully, which I think is more to do with staying out of the sun/daily sunscreen and giant sunglasses all year round. I also think it's a matter of genetics and bone structure too, not to mention weight - some with a fuller face have less noticeable wrinkles.

But, never say never.

Many clinics offer a free-consultation. Have you thought about having one? I did which is how I decided I just wasn't bothered enough to have anything injected. I actually went to see two people at two different clinics, both of whom gave very very different advice.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Original poster
Marmitepot · 01/01/2023 10:36

Thanks for your reply @coconotgrove

I agree that once you start it must be very difficult to stop,hence my reluctance! I’m not a very vain person either. Very casual in my clothes and don’t wear loads of makeup.

I daren’t go for a consultation 😂

I saw Kate Winslet on Graham Norton a few weeks ago,she is quite wrinkly and a year older than me. I thought she looked great and it was so refreshing to see someone with lines for a change!

OP posts:
Original poster
Marmitepot · 01/01/2023 10:36

I don’t need HRT yet but very keen to be on it as and when I need to.

OP posts:
Shitfather · 01/01/2023 10:50

I was undecided a couple of months ago and went for it at the start of Dec. I don’t have deep lines, but wanted to look fresher. It was brilliant! I had baby Botox and still have expression. I agree, though, that once you start, hard to stop as I know I’ll have it again once it’s worn off.

ProceedWithOptimism · 01/01/2023 10:56

I had my 11s done a few months ago and the difference is amazing! Just got it done again a few days ago but this time got my crows feet done too, and honestly my eyes look so much more wide and awake.

For me it's really worth it.

coconotgrove · 01/01/2023 10:59

Marmitepot · 01/01/2023 10:36

I don’t need HRT yet but very keen to be on it as and when I need to.

The best time to start HRT is during perimenopause.

I am vain, I don't think there's anything wrong with that or caring about how one looks. But, at the same time, I don't, and never have worn wear make-up.

I think KW is looking a little tight in the face, but she looks better than most in as much as her work has a much lighter touch. It's worth looking at Naomi Watts, not only does she not have any injectables or surgery, she also went through an early menopause. She takes HRT and you can see the effects it has on her skin. Like I said, don't discount HRT just because you've not reached menopause. Chances are, you're already en route and are perimenopausal. (Not everyone experiences all the classic and well-known symptoms. I know I didn't.)

But, obviously, totally your choice, whatever way you decide to go, good luck 😀

ProceedWithOptimism · 01/01/2023 11:01

I do think there's a bit of a fear around Botox that if you start you'll do it for the rest of your life etc.

I don't see that at all; if you don't like the effect it'll wear off in a few months and you don't have to get it again. To my mind it's no different than dying your hair. Stop doing it when you feel ok with doing so.

Bestcatmum · 01/01/2023 11:10

I'm 60 and have minimal botox and it makes such a big difference. I had lines between my eyes that made me look angry all the time now those lines have gone and I look happy again. I can still move my forehead normally and it doesn't look weird and shiny. I suggest have the minimum done first and go from there.
I want to look great for my age not weird like Madonna who has gone way over the top.

Craghopper1 · 01/01/2023 11:26

I had my number 11s done and mobile Botox in my forehead. Loved it. Made me feel and look more relaxed and refreshed. You can totally get it once and see how you feel. I don't hold with all this slippery slope stuff, Ive had Botox but I would never have filler.

Original poster
Marmitepot · 01/01/2023 12:00

Some reassuring answers about not going mad once you get started.
I agree that Madonna looks horrific.

I was up close with someone who is on tv recently, she was so smooth I think I had more wrinkles when I was 5 years old! Way too much filler.

OP posts:
IET · 01/01/2023 12:05

I had one area done at 37 and it worked pretty well. But I never went back (now 39). For me, it wasn't worth the money or the anxiety of worrying about getting eyelid droop or a heavy browline (I had my forehead done).

If wrinkles were really upsetting me, enough that I'd accept the risk, I'd go again, but I don't see it happening really. Not for a while anyway

Branleuse · 01/01/2023 12:09

I get it done as and when. Seems to be once or twice a year. Makes me look fresher and has softened my hooded eyes and I like the effect

TheOGCCL · 01/01/2023 12:11

I just have it on my 11s as I don’t particularly mind wrinkles but don’t want to look cross all the time. It’s bad for my personal relationships including at work. It has a psychological effect too as it leads to me frowning less and I’m happier with my appearance. I see it like a haircut in that you wear your face every day and there is only so much skincare and make up can do. I also have quite bad genes. I figure even if I stop, I’ve still paused the clock for a while. I’m not tempted to get any other areas as I don’t want it to be obvious. By our age you’re expected to have some forehead lines and crows feet, I don’t want to erase them all. That’s when it starts veering into fake and shiny.

AlwaysGinPlease · 01/01/2023 12:11

It's not a " slippery slope" for everyone. I've been having Botox for over 10 years and I've never had anything else done or felt the want/need too. It's fine alone. I look so much better and fresher than I did before and I feel great without going down the other routes open.

You don't look frozen if it's done correctly. Choose very carefully where you go. Look at their reviews and their work. It's the best thing I've ever done for my face.

Original poster
Marmitepot · 01/01/2023 12:18

@Branleuse I have hooded eyes and I was worried it would make them worse if I had my forehead done.

what areas do you have done and how does it help this?

OP posts:
ProceedWithOptimism · 01/01/2023 12:35

The last time I had my 11s done they added a tiny lift to my outer eyes and it's made a huge difference.

troppibambini6 · 01/01/2023 12:44

I've been having 3 areas done for 14 years. I have a heavy brow and you need to make sure that the person who does it knows how to do a brow lift using Botox.
That what I have and it's brilliant.

JamSandle · 01/01/2023 12:46

Just curious, how do people afford it regularly? It seems very expensive for even one area.

Eatentoomanyroses · 01/01/2023 12:49

I have been having it since about 32. 38 now. I love it but lately started to have trouble with it. I don’t have static lines or 11s but do have crows feet. I’ve had my forehead and between my brows done with my crows feet just to give me a lift but last few times can’t get my eyebrows even. One ends up higher than the other. I’m thinking of just having my crows feet done next time rather than the three areas.

ProceedWithOptimism · 01/01/2023 13:03

JamSandle · 01/01/2023 12:46

Just curious, how do people afford it regularly? It seems very expensive for even one area.

I'm £190 every three months, I just put money aside for it.

Branleuse · 01/01/2023 13:15

Marmitepot · 01/01/2023 12:18

@Branleuse I have hooded eyes and I was worried it would make them worse if I had my forehead done.

what areas do you have done and how does it help this?

This time I had 3 areas done. I said i wanted my brows lifted.
Usually what happens wherever ive been. You get a smaller amount done and then go back two weeks later and theyll top up anywhere that you might want more. This avoids having too much in one go.
I still have hooded eyes of course, but they look softer amd i like the fact my eyebrows look a bit more curved and a bit more awake.

Original poster
Marmitepot · 01/01/2023 13:17

Thanks @Branleuse

OP posts:
Branleuse · 01/01/2023 13:21

JamSandle · 01/01/2023 12:46

Just curious, how do people afford it regularly? It seems very expensive for even one area.

Same way people afford haircuts or massages or other non essentials I guess. Some people can and some cant.
I pay about £150 for 3 areas every 6 months. I think it usually wears off after about 4 months, but i dont rush to get it redone. I always say ill give it a month or so and see if i still want it. I like to spread it out so i can notice the difference.
Noone else has mentioned it, not even my partner, so im assuming i dont look frozen. I think the effect is usually more subtle than the celebrities on tv, as they have other treatments and surgery too

aureus3012 · 01/01/2023 13:21

I've been getting it done for 5 years...mainly started because I had frown lines between my eyebrows caused by frowning when I am driving. The good thing now is that I am out of the habit of frowning so I need to get it done less often.

Isabelle70 · 01/01/2023 13:27

I have been having it for the last 5 years since 47 and approx every 4/5 months. I used to have 11's, forehead and crows feet. But I found the forehead caused a bit more dropping on the eyes so now I have 11's and crows feet. I still have some movement but cannot frown like I used to.
It's my regular GP that does it as a separate business and I am always offered my 2 week checkup/top up if needed. I think I have only had a top up twice in all these years.
I did have fillers about 4 years ago, maybe not enough to make a difference so I have not bothered again. However, I may ask about the tear trough filler to smooth that out a little at my next appointment.