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Botox and effectiveness. What do I say to the beautician?

31 replies

ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 05/01/2025 20:27

Had my first Botox session approx 2 months ago. Forehead only but all areas of it. The first session only really seemed to work in my 11s but it did work really well there. At the review, we agreed it hadn't taken well on the centre (normal forehead lines but quite thick set as I obviously do a lot of judging/thinking) so she adjusted. It worked a little more but after a month I again had full movement. I'm booked in again this month and am nervous that I need to say the right thing to ensure I get the coverage and movement reduction that I want. Essentially, if it doesn't work this time I won't be paying for it again or will need to find someone else but it took me a long time to find her.

Do I need to ask for more injections?
Pay for more for more of a dose?
Ask for a stronger dose?

OP posts:
theduchessofspork · 05/01/2025 20:27

I would go an see someone better qualified than a beautician TBH, it’s more than a manicure isn’t it.

ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 05/01/2025 20:29

I wasn't sure if the appropriate term. She's a qualified botoxer 🤣

OP posts:
lunar1 · 05/01/2025 20:32

Not all qualifications are equal, what's her background?

wizzywig · 05/01/2025 20:33

I just used Google and botox is supposed to last at least 3 months. Have you asked friends if it looks like you need more? Just incase you're over analysing

LunaTheCat · 05/01/2025 20:43

I would go to a doctor specialising in cosmetic medicine.
Beauticians should not be injected Botox.

LemonSqueezy0 · 05/01/2025 20:55

I assume you realise the difference between someone who can prescribe and use (real) Botox (usually a dentist or doctor) and others who use a different brand, that they can get off the Internet, and often call it something else to get around it not being real botox, but usually it is just as effective. I trust my beautician, and pay £170 for three areas, so I'm not against it in 100% of cases..but I pay that knowing it's not Botox.It's like we say get the hoover out, but really the fact is that Hoover is a brand and we mean vacuum. It's the same for botox. You may need someone with a medical background who can give you better results.

It could be that you are resisting it, it does happen unfortunately, and your body breaks it down much more quickly..

Whatisittomorrow · 05/01/2025 20:56

Its Down to one of the following:
-Dose not being enough
-Your body <very frustrating but it’s just one of those things. Often those who work out a lot don’t get very good longevity out of their treatment.
-Zinc deficiency <I suggest patients take zinc for a month before their appointment
-The brand <Some people get better results from different brands.

p.s Always ensure you see a medical professional who has prescribed the product for you. (This means it’s come from a pharmacy and is legitimate botulinum toxin) Beauticians cannot prescribe. They can work legally with a prescriber as a partnership, so you would have seen/spoken a prescriber if you saw a beautician.

wizzywig · 05/01/2025 20:59

How would a person know it's been prescribed for them? Is it as obvious as asking to see the package and there will be a sticker with your name on it like any other prescribed med?

Whatisittomorrow · 05/01/2025 21:00

LemonSqueezy0 · 05/01/2025 20:55

I assume you realise the difference between someone who can prescribe and use (real) Botox (usually a dentist or doctor) and others who use a different brand, that they can get off the Internet, and often call it something else to get around it not being real botox, but usually it is just as effective. I trust my beautician, and pay £170 for three areas, so I'm not against it in 100% of cases..but I pay that knowing it's not Botox.It's like we say get the hoover out, but really the fact is that Hoover is a brand and we mean vacuum. It's the same for botox. You may need someone with a medical background who can give you better results.

It could be that you are resisting it, it does happen unfortunately, and your body breaks it down much more quickly..

There are a few brands of “Botox” but they are not inferior to BOTOX (the original drug made my Allergan)

Azzalure, Bocouture, Letybo, Alluzience, Nuceiva are all licensed botulinum toxin brands that medics use. I generally find my patients get better longevity from brands other than BOTOX, so I don’t use this anymore. (I’m a prescriber)

Other brands like Botulax are illegal and shouldn’t be sold in the Uk. It’s not just a case of being able to sell them cheaper because they are not brand names. It’s just simply illegal so if your beautician is using an unlicensed drug, it’s really not worth the risks of using illegal “Botox”

Whatisittomorrow · 05/01/2025 21:01

wizzywig · 05/01/2025 20:59

How would a person know it's been prescribed for them? Is it as obvious as asking to see the package and there will be a sticker with your name on it like any other prescribed med?

Yes. Each box has the patients name written on it.

Doctoes and dentists can hold stock though. So these professionals can prescribe from a stock of unnamed medicines (e.g Botox)

ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 05/01/2025 21:11

wizzywig · 05/01/2025 20:33

I just used Google and botox is supposed to last at least 3 months. Have you asked friends if it looks like you need more? Just incase you're over analysing

It is and some of it is still there - the 11s area but the rest has basically vanished. This has been verified by friends and I sent a picture to the person who injects and she said she will adjust the injection pattern.

OP posts:
CeceliaImrie · 05/01/2025 21:13

Baby Botox lasts a good 6 months for me, I think it depends on a few factors.

MissAtomicBomb1 · 05/01/2025 21:14

Unfortunately you may be one of the people who just metabolise it very quickly.
I have a friend who is similar. It only lasts a few weeks then it wears off.
For context she exercises daily and drinks a lot of water. Her body just flushes it out so she's stopped having it done now.

ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 05/01/2025 21:15

LemonSqueezy0 · 05/01/2025 20:55

I assume you realise the difference between someone who can prescribe and use (real) Botox (usually a dentist or doctor) and others who use a different brand, that they can get off the Internet, and often call it something else to get around it not being real botox, but usually it is just as effective. I trust my beautician, and pay £170 for three areas, so I'm not against it in 100% of cases..but I pay that knowing it's not Botox.It's like we say get the hoover out, but really the fact is that Hoover is a brand and we mean vacuum. It's the same for botox. You may need someone with a medical background who can give you better results.

It could be that you are resisting it, it does happen unfortunately, and your body breaks it down much more quickly..

If I remember correctly it is not Botox as that's the brand name but it is another brand of the same product (the last bit regarding same product, I'm unsure of from what you say)

She charges £280. It's average for the area. There's some for less, there's some for more.

From my research, I found that many people were saying that the medical background isn't imperative for getting the best results so to look for reviews etc more than simply being medical - so I went with that approach. If this doesn't work this time I will go for medical but it is substantially more, which is fine if it works for the 3-6 months I was expecting.

OP posts:
ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 05/01/2025 21:16

Whatisittomorrow · 05/01/2025 20:56

Its Down to one of the following:
-Dose not being enough
-Your body <very frustrating but it’s just one of those things. Often those who work out a lot don’t get very good longevity out of their treatment.
-Zinc deficiency <I suggest patients take zinc for a month before their appointment
-The brand <Some people get better results from different brands.

p.s Always ensure you see a medical professional who has prescribed the product for you. (This means it’s come from a pharmacy and is legitimate botulinum toxin) Beauticians cannot prescribe. They can work legally with a prescriber as a partnership, so you would have seen/spoken a prescriber if you saw a beautician.

She uses a prescriber and states this but I didn't see anyone but her?!

Yes, it could well be the list you've said. I work out a lot. I move my forehead constantly and I'm going to start taking zinc 😆

OP posts:
ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 05/01/2025 21:17

MissAtomicBomb1 · 05/01/2025 21:14

Unfortunately you may be one of the people who just metabolise it very quickly.
I have a friend who is similar. It only lasts a few weeks then it wears off.
For context she exercises daily and drinks a lot of water. Her body just flushes it out so she's stopped having it done now.

Thank you for responding but I am praying this isn't the case for me 😭

OP posts:
ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 05/01/2025 21:19

LunaTheCat · 05/01/2025 20:43

I would go to a doctor specialising in cosmetic medicine.
Beauticians should not be injected Botox.

I've probably thrown the thread by calling her a beautician. Aesthetician makes my teeth itch and I don't know what you'd call a person that does this really - as an official title.

OP posts:
ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 05/01/2025 21:23

lunar1 · 05/01/2025 20:32

Not all qualifications are equal, what's her background?

I'm going to be honest and say not a clue. I took a load of questions with me at the initial consultation and she was very professional, explained things well from the basics to the science and I liked her. I know that you can get people wrong but she's not the type that I wanted to avoid which is over injected and keen to over inject arriving in a white evoque and there's a live, laugh, love sign above the table. She's a good fit.

OP posts:
LemonSqueezy0 · 05/01/2025 21:25

Whatisittomorrow · 05/01/2025 21:00

There are a few brands of “Botox” but they are not inferior to BOTOX (the original drug made my Allergan)

Azzalure, Bocouture, Letybo, Alluzience, Nuceiva are all licensed botulinum toxin brands that medics use. I generally find my patients get better longevity from brands other than BOTOX, so I don’t use this anymore. (I’m a prescriber)

Other brands like Botulax are illegal and shouldn’t be sold in the Uk. It’s not just a case of being able to sell them cheaper because they are not brand names. It’s just simply illegal so if your beautician is using an unlicensed drug, it’s really not worth the risks of using illegal “Botox”

Apologies, I over simplified it and got things mixed up it seems, thank you for clarifying for me and OP. My point was there are different brands, which give different people differing results. I get good results from one of the other, cheaper brands, so happy with that. It is completely legal one, though done by a beautician. Some people will think that is risky so everyone needs to be sure they are aware of the risks and possible side effects.

Elphame · 05/01/2025 21:28

It stopped working for me after 3 sessions.

I am one of the unlucky ones who are resistant to it.

RhubarbandCustardYummyYummy · 05/01/2025 21:31

If you didn’t see your prescriber face-to-face for a consult then that’s against regulations and if she’s cutting that corner what other corners is she cutting??

Coffeemmmmcoffee · 05/01/2025 21:37

Is she not offering you a a review at 7-10 days and giving you a top up if it hasn’t taken adequately? I see a medical Dr (ex GP) and this is what she always does. No charge for any extra needed at this review it’s included in the initial price.

I have needed immediate top up this twice but now we have the amount and areas all sorted although I do have a full set of injections done every 12 weeks on the dot as I’m a fast metaboliser.

Bornnotbourne · 05/01/2025 21:39

I’m one of the unlucky people who it doesn’t last on. I lift weights and do lots of cardio so apparently I metabolise it quickly. I said on another thread that I have the body of a goddess and the face of a scrotum.

wizzywig · 05/01/2025 21:48

@Whatisittomorrow thank you so much for answering my questions. Sorry op if I derailed your thread. (P.s, I'd use this as a good reason to not exercise as I'm a lazy cow!!)

ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 05/01/2025 21:53

wizzywig · 05/01/2025 21:48

@Whatisittomorrow thank you so much for answering my questions. Sorry op if I derailed your thread. (P.s, I'd use this as a good reason to not exercise as I'm a lazy cow!!)

Not at all! All info welcome!

OP posts:
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