Skincare for early 40s that’s not botox

[angeltulips]

As per the thread title. I am 42 and developing deep forehead lines and they’re starting to get me down, but I just can’t get on the Botox train yet - combination of fears about it going wrong combined with feeling like I should hold off a bit longer because once you start you can’t stop really. I have reasonable skin tone, no sagging so fillers etc are n/a.

Are there any other treatments/procedures that help? Willing to consider anything. I already do retinol at night. Have just had my first micro needling facial (and look a right state) - am hopeful this may help. Laser? (What is that exactly?!)

Or do I just need to take a deep breath and start on the Botox?!

Hopeful bump

Tret but the only think that has fixed my 11s is Botox

I'm a bit older but I'd recommend collagen drops

Small amount of Botox to improve appearance? I have it twice a year and it's fine.

But research carefully and beware. Don't go to anyone other than a doctor. I know of friends where it has gone wrong. One with raised eyebrows, can't be corrected until wears off, thinks it was because the beautician was in a rush and is always rushing. Another has a dropping eye and the injector would have her believe it might be Bell's palsy rather than take responsibility.

But you don't have to have it. Your micro needling might have helped and you could try Tretinoin. There's always codes on here for one of the subscription services. Try one of those and request anti ageing and Tretinoin.

Drooping eye. And low dose botox for a natural, softer look.

Get the Botox. It is the only thing that will really work. It is far and away the best thing I ever did for my skin. You may also want to consider tretinoin (try skin+me or dermatica for this). Don't waste your money on anything expensive from over the counter. Botox and tretinoin is the gold standard in anti-aging skincare.

I’ve started Botox at 42. Like you, my developing forehead lines were getting me down. My practitioner said I started at just about the right time. If they’d developed much more, the results wouldn’t have been as good. I’ve been doing tret too, but it has no where near the same effect as Botox.

Start using tret for sure, but a little Botox is defo the way to go. It works. You’ll see the difference. I’ve never looked back.

I’m 44 and started using tretinoin with Skin & Me 5 months ago. Lots of people have commented on how fab my skin looks and I feel so much better. Might be worth trying that before resorting to actual procedures or Botox.

I do skin & me already so have the tret. It’s great for skin tone but I can see it has its limits.

im in central london and I do worry about Botox as it just seems to be shiny foreheads as far as I can see. Plus I’ve had Bell’s palsy and am terrified I am at greater risk of weird drooping etc as a result.

Don’t join the Botox crew. Is it really that bad to have lines in our 40s. Just keep skin in good condition with what you can afford, more veggies less alcohol etc. Sun cream.

I don't know if having had Bell's palsy would make you more at risk of drooping, but understand your concern. I know botox can actually be used to help Bell's palsy sufferers.

My friend had the droop after going to one of those beautician 'aesthetic' places. She had it fixed somewhere reputable.

You could ask at a consultation with a qualified doctor or plastic surgeon if you're set on it. Too much and you get the stretched skin like an orange skin I always think.

My friend developed Bell's palsy for the first time a week after having her first Botox. Her practitioner said there was no link but I'm not convinced personally and it's really put me off having it myself.
I've settled for tret/SPF 50 and embracing the lines I have.

Can it really cause it?

I've just asked and while my friend's face had the appearance of Bell's palsy it wasn't actually that, apparently. The doctor she saw afterwards said it was poor placement of the botox near the eye area. She found it difficult to look up if that makes any sense.

Some of these people injecting ought to be regulated. The aftercare she received sounded terrible. They were just trying to say it couldn't have been the botox when all she wanted was it to be fixed.

I think it was Bell's palsy in my friends case as it affected the whole side of her face. She is adamant that it wasn't the Botox as she wants to continue with it.
But yeah a problem affecting the facial nerves a few days later...hmm

Big coincidence. 🤔

My friend's whole face on one side looked lower, but not extremely noticeable if she hadn't pointed it out. The eye was the worst thing. It definitely had the appearance of BP if not actually. She was also given exercises to hold the eyelid up and blink rapidly several times a day.

It hasn't put me off the botox but it has made me wary. I don't plan to have Botox forever though.

Not to derail, but I'm just 40 with very good skin and developing a line on one side of forehead. It doesn't bother me at present but it will in future, because I have an indented scar (ran into glass door at 2) that connects into it and the small line and scar combo seem set to develop a furrow. Can Botox fix the scar?

I think Botox becomes less successful if you get too old. In your forties often a tiny tweak can give a fresher look and be very subtle, by say 60 it tends to look more unnatural as there’s a limit to what it can do, or rather 60 year olds tend to look a bit odd without some wrinkles.

I am 45. I use a presciption retinoid (Tretinoin). Treat is fantastic at anti-aging but it takes many months to start to see results and your skin needs to adjust (peeling, flaking etc)

Skin care is cleanser, serum (Vit C in the morning, niacinamide/hyaluronic acid for the evening), moisturiser, SPF, tretinoin at night. 2-3 times per week I use a chemical exfoliant to help brighten my skin (AHA).

I get a small amount of botox done every 6 months (crows feet, forehead and between brows). I don’t like the frozen look so I still have movement but without the lines that used to stay put all day.

I didn't know you could get Botox for crows feet. How does it work with movement etc? I assumed it would freeze your eyes a bit! I think for me it's this area that will show the quickest. I worry about not being able to blink properly or something 😆

@blahblahblah1654 It’s not a lot of units, maybe 4 jabs semi-circular around the outer eye. You can still squint, smile etc. It just softens how deep your crows feet are when you smile. When your face is at rest it smooths out that area. If I pull a big cheesy grin I still get that natural wrinkling on the outer edges of my eyes (I hope I described it ok).

@1Step2Step thanks for the explanation! Good to know it doesn't inhibit expression.

I'm not a fan of Botox. A lot of my friends have it and they've all escalated on treatments. I'd do lots of moisture, water, a change of make up (as it might be you're using 'young' make up that doesn't suit your skin now) and a fringe if you're that worried. Honestly no one notices lines though. I never look at someone and think "urrrrh lines!!"