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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:
krill · 03/01/2023 22:53

I think I may have said but I started having it every 3-4 months but now it's more like 6 months. I feel you also get used to not using those muscles so that plays a part.

Poor explanation!

Charl1009 · 15/01/2023 11:52

I just wanted to update to say I went for Baby Botox on Wednesday and wow I am loving the results 🤩 for anyone considering botox I would say go for it!

Grapewrath · 15/01/2023 14:30

I love Botox and get it 6 monthly
I don’t look frozen but I look fresher. Not sure if it’s noticeable to others but I don’t give a shit really lol
ive never had any other work or fillers and haven’t felt the need to- so I personally don’t find it a slippery slope

figmaofmyimagination · 15/01/2023 14:33

I’m 45, I have it for my forehead lines and now only need it twice a year instead of 3 times a year as it lasts longer. I’m happy with just those, I don’t want any more at the moment. I’m not looking to completely eradicate them, just soften them, and also zero desire for fillers or anything else.

Get a good practitioner and it can be whatever you want it to be.

faffadoodledo · 15/01/2023 14:38

Gosh those who have botox in their thirties.. really? That seems so young to have concerns.
56 and I quite like my face in the mirror and the story it tells. So I haven't had it done yet. I say 'yet' because who knows what Time has in store.
My daughter is in her twenties and tells me friends of hers are considering it. i do wonder if that's because their mothers are in the Botox Zone. It's a shame we feel so down on our faces. I know a small number of men get it done. but it's largely women isnt it, who feel the pressure

EggsActly · 15/01/2023 14:42

I’m going to chip in with my opinion fwiw!

I think once you’re over 40, subtle filler is much more …well…subtle than Botox.

I can tell Botox on a woman of 40+ a mile off, even ‘baby’ Botox. The forehead doesn’t move in the same way. It gives a static and waxy look, even if you don’t go for the full frozen look. That can be quite effective on younger women wanting to iron out premature wrinkles, because the rest of their face matches, but on a face that has obviously starting-to-age skin, a bit of sag starting to happen etc it looks obvious. There are so many middle aged women around with smooth foreheads and sagging jowls. It’s just not a look I want. And I say this as someone who had Botox in my late 30s, then started to recognise that look in other women, then myself and thought ‘nah! This isn’t how I want to look’.

The only exception I’d say is very light Botox if you have deep crows feet, or if you have very deep 11s you want to soften. Otherwise, Botox just doesn’t look good on middle aged women in my opinion.

Filler, if judiciously applied, can give a much fresher, more natural look. A tiny bit around the corners of the mouth, marionette lines and in the part of the cheek near the nose that starts to lose volume can give a really natural, ‘have you been on holiday?’ look. But you do need a skilled practitioner who knows what they’re doing and won’t try to upsell you more filler than you need so you don’t end up with a pillow face. Plys it’s expensive and I appreciate a bit scary for face tinkering virgins.

DutchTeenyPixie · 15/01/2023 14:52

I just turned 30 and had botox in my forehead and 11s which has made an incredible difference.

I had terribly deep lines on my forehead, you needed to see them to believe them! Now my forehead is much smoother and I have so much more confidence in my self.

I would recommend anyone to try it and, if you don't like it, don't get anymore done. Same as anything really!

Delatron · 15/01/2023 15:12

EggsActly · 15/01/2023 14:42

I’m going to chip in with my opinion fwiw!

I think once you’re over 40, subtle filler is much more …well…subtle than Botox.

I can tell Botox on a woman of 40+ a mile off, even ‘baby’ Botox. The forehead doesn’t move in the same way. It gives a static and waxy look, even if you don’t go for the full frozen look. That can be quite effective on younger women wanting to iron out premature wrinkles, because the rest of their face matches, but on a face that has obviously starting-to-age skin, a bit of sag starting to happen etc it looks obvious. There are so many middle aged women around with smooth foreheads and sagging jowls. It’s just not a look I want. And I say this as someone who had Botox in my late 30s, then started to recognise that look in other women, then myself and thought ‘nah! This isn’t how I want to look’.

The only exception I’d say is very light Botox if you have deep crows feet, or if you have very deep 11s you want to soften. Otherwise, Botox just doesn’t look good on middle aged women in my opinion.

Filler, if judiciously applied, can give a much fresher, more natural look. A tiny bit around the corners of the mouth, marionette lines and in the part of the cheek near the nose that starts to lose volume can give a really natural, ‘have you been on holiday?’ look. But you do need a skilled practitioner who knows what they’re doing and won’t try to upsell you more filler than you need so you don’t end up with a pillow face. Plys it’s expensive and I appreciate a bit scary for face tinkering virgins.

I agree with this and wrote something similar on a different thread. It’s why I stopped my very sporadic Botox as I felt a relatively smooth forehead and a slightly saggy lower face is very incongruous- it makes it obvious you’ve had work. In a way that doesn’t when you’re in your 30s.

I parked the Botox. I’ve had a bit of tear trough filler. Lots of profhilo and Sofwave on the lower face which is a tightening treatment. (Yes this does get very expensive). I’m nervous about filler but one doctor I saw did say in your 40s it’s better to lay off the Botox and have some good, subtle filler.

However, with all the above my lower face looks a lot better. So I’m thinking a light touch of Botox maybe even once per year as it does seem to stop the wrinkles getting worse. Like pressing the pause button for 6 months. But I wouldn’t get it done regularly at this age (I’m 46).

zenellen · 15/01/2023 16:16

The only exception I’d say is very light Botox if you have deep crows feet, or if you have very deep 11s you want to soften. Otherwise, Botox just doesn’t look good on middle aged women in my opinion.

Who is it for then? Some of my friends in 30s have wrinkles and crows feet but most haven't started with those until their 40s. I don't know of anyone else who has an unlined face and preventative botox, though I'm sure many do.

I'm not far off 40, and so nearing that middle age as you call it. I started having baby/light touch botox just over a year ago as a preventative measure. I didn't have any signs of crows feet or forehead lines when I started and those have been kept at bay, and I'll continue with twice yearly botox into my 40s.

Nobody knows I've had work done, and I still have normal upper face movement. I don't have any lower face sagging or jowls so I'm happy to continue with light touch botox. I do go to a good clinic, perhaps that helps.

Delatron · 15/01/2023 16:22

I think early 40s is different to mid - late 40s in terms of face sagging. Even the slightest amount has an impact.

catfunk · 15/01/2023 16:32

I have it twice a year. I don't go for the frozen look, I like a bit of movement, by 6 months my fine lines begin to come back faintly but aren't fully entrenched iyswim. So twice a year is fine for me.

zenellen · 15/01/2023 16:36

I'm hoping I inherited my mother's good genes. 67 and no sagging yet! Good bone structure with high cheekbones. Time will tell.

Bing4859 · 15/01/2023 16:38

I am also really fascinated by Botox. I’m 35, have forehead lines but not 11s but even now I feel like my eyes are starting to hood (I am probably a lot more insecure than most people, social media has a part to play). I have been considering Botox for years and think I might go for it in 2023. I saw an article the other day saying that doctors are now starting to see that filler never really dissolves, which scares me and I’d prefer to avoid it.

Does anyone know what people like Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have had done? I always think they look absolutely incredible and quite natural and would love to look like them at their age, compared to someone like Amanda Holden who IMO looks ridiculous!

Fuckitydoodah · 15/01/2023 16:39

Reading with interest. I've been sat on the fence for a couple of years. I'm 42 and whilst I'm quite happy with the majority of my face, I have developed very prominent 11 lines. I'm a terrible frowner, don't even realise I'm doing it. I swear I frown in my sleep. The 11 lines have really started to bother me, as others say, I feel like I look like I'm constantly in a bad mood.

If they're very prominent will botox work? Someone once told me I'd also need some filler to push the lines out??

Can anyone recommend any practitioners in the South West of England?

krill · 15/01/2023 16:46

Botox will soften @Fuckitydoodah It doesn't always eliminate deep entrenched lines completely, as before and after photos here show, but it is likely to improve them, and more with repeat procedures over time.

You can have filler in the 11s, but that's a riskier area to use filler and you'd need to go somewhere very reputable. You don't often see that offered in those beauty salon clinics.

krill · 15/01/2023 16:48

The filler might also only soften them, as with other areas where filler is used.

Deeandra · 15/01/2023 16:55

@EggsActly you have a point.

I think it's the difference between Brad Pitt - who clearly has had facial treatments and very well placed filler as a scaffold, and Simon Cowell.

I think at some point you need your forehead to match the rest of the face.

Fuckitydoodah · 15/01/2023 17:02

krill · 15/01/2023 16:46

Botox will soften @Fuckitydoodah It doesn't always eliminate deep entrenched lines completely, as before and after photos here show, but it is likely to improve them, and more with repeat procedures over time.

You can have filler in the 11s, but that's a riskier area to use filler and you'd need to go somewhere very reputable. You don't often see that offered in those beauty salon clinics.

Thanks for the info. I really wouldn't be keen on fillers so that's cemented my thoughts. Maybe a go with a bit of botox then. I'd be happy just to soften them a bit.

This thread is making me want to book up a consultation. There's a school mum who does it, used to be a dentist. Tempted to message her.

Isabelle70 · 15/01/2023 19:01

@Fuckitydoodah I have my 11's and crows feet and you forget how to frown as the muscles are relaxed and you can't. I can't remember the last time I tried to frown. Well I can, it was at my last procedure, he takes photos of you trying to frown 😃

figmaofmyimagination · 15/01/2023 19:54

Everyone ages differently, don’t they. If you’re aging more under the eyes or around the jowels, filler might even things up the best for you. I don’t have either of those issues but i do have some lines, so botox evens the balance better for me.

Barbalalala · 15/01/2023 21:20

I'm going to go against the grain here, I had Botox to get rid of my very deep 11s (more a 1 on me) two years ago. Initially I just had this area done, but after a couple of weeks although my 11s had gone, the other lines, particularly down the side of my forehead, had worsened. Now in part, this was in comparison to the now smooth area, but looking at photos they were also slightly more pronounced, the muscles overcompensating for those not now in use.

Another thing that happened was the area just above my brow looked lightly protruding. I went back and they put in a bit more, which did improve things slightly, but I actually just felt very self conscious with this smooth forehead, and the area above my brow still looked a bit swollen! I haven't gone back.

Annoyingly, I feel the slight swelling above my brows still hasn't gone nearly two years on. I do have a very expressive face, and more lines than usual for my age, but feel more comfortable with this natural look, in a way having the Botox has enabled me to accept aging naturally as a better choice for me.

QuizteamAguillera · 01/02/2023 13:27

So many interesting opinions.

Interesting about the pp who suggests light filler rather than Botox. My lower face isn’t saggy (yet) and I think if it’s just 11’s you’re worried about (like myself) then a little bit of Botox there is fine.

I do have forehead lines but I’m not that worried about them and I can live with my crows feet at the moment.

lindyloo57 · 01/02/2023 17:15

I not had it done, too frightened of needles, can I ask is it tested on animals.

PollyIndia · 01/02/2023 19:47

EggsActly · 15/01/2023 14:42

I’m going to chip in with my opinion fwiw!

I think once you’re over 40, subtle filler is much more …well…subtle than Botox.

I can tell Botox on a woman of 40+ a mile off, even ‘baby’ Botox. The forehead doesn’t move in the same way. It gives a static and waxy look, even if you don’t go for the full frozen look. That can be quite effective on younger women wanting to iron out premature wrinkles, because the rest of their face matches, but on a face that has obviously starting-to-age skin, a bit of sag starting to happen etc it looks obvious. There are so many middle aged women around with smooth foreheads and sagging jowls. It’s just not a look I want. And I say this as someone who had Botox in my late 30s, then started to recognise that look in other women, then myself and thought ‘nah! This isn’t how I want to look’.

The only exception I’d say is very light Botox if you have deep crows feet, or if you have very deep 11s you want to soften. Otherwise, Botox just doesn’t look good on middle aged women in my opinion.

Filler, if judiciously applied, can give a much fresher, more natural look. A tiny bit around the corners of the mouth, marionette lines and in the part of the cheek near the nose that starts to lose volume can give a really natural, ‘have you been on holiday?’ look. But you do need a skilled practitioner who knows what they’re doing and won’t try to upsell you more filler than you need so you don’t end up with a pillow face. Plys it’s expensive and I appreciate a bit scary for face tinkering virgins.

I agree with this re botox. I've had it quite a few times, and definitely gives a lift, smooths crows feet at corners and 11s. But I stopped a while ago. I'm still undecided about filler, but I love profhilo - so sticking with my existing face structure but trying to make my skin as good as possible - and embrace the wrinkles too. I think that might be better for my long term self esteem than trying to fight wrinkles with botox that ends up looking weird when you get to that tipping point where the lower half of your face sags under your smooth forehead.
I just watched the Kate Winslet YouTube, and she looks great (though I think she might have had some very light botox). also Kristen Scott Thomas on slow horses - defo no botox and I don't think fillers, though amazing bone structure. She has wrinkles and looks her ages but also looks amazing.

abcde124 · 06/02/2023 18:33

Barbalalala · 15/01/2023 21:20

I'm going to go against the grain here, I had Botox to get rid of my very deep 11s (more a 1 on me) two years ago. Initially I just had this area done, but after a couple of weeks although my 11s had gone, the other lines, particularly down the side of my forehead, had worsened. Now in part, this was in comparison to the now smooth area, but looking at photos they were also slightly more pronounced, the muscles overcompensating for those not now in use.

Another thing that happened was the area just above my brow looked lightly protruding. I went back and they put in a bit more, which did improve things slightly, but I actually just felt very self conscious with this smooth forehead, and the area above my brow still looked a bit swollen! I haven't gone back.

Annoyingly, I feel the slight swelling above my brows still hasn't gone nearly two years on. I do have a very expressive face, and more lines than usual for my age, but feel more comfortable with this natural look, in a way having the Botox has enabled me to accept aging naturally as a better choice for me.

This is interesting to read. I'm mid 30s and had my 11s botoxed 3 weeks ago.

I went back after 2 weeks for a check and she topped me up. I still had quite a bit of movement, and the lines I felt still stood out and make up sat in them.

I have noticed that I am not squinting because I can't frown, so the lines are just showing more around my eyes, haha! I show a lot of expression too, so I'm hoping in time, I get used to reduced movement of my eyebrows and stop squinting.