Botox or something else?

[InDireNeed]

Last month I had a headshot taken at work. It’s been added to the company’s website and I’m horrified by how I look.

I’m in my early 40s but my wrinkles make me look far older.

I haven’t looked after my skin particularly well over the years which, I’m know, has caused most of this. Usually, face wash in the shower, micellar water for make up removal and cheap moisturiser.

I’ve started taking powdered collagen eqch day, bought some Elemis products and am making an effort to drink more water throughout the day as I only drink about 1l each day (I don’t drink tea or coffee) but feel more drastic measures are needed. I’ve read a bit about retinol and tret but don’t know what is best for me.

My forehead and eye wrinkles are so awful, so I’m assuming Botox is the way to go? The bags under my eyes are pronounced too.

I’d give Botox a go. You can ask for a small amount on your first time to see how you like it then have more at your top up but honestly it’s great.

secondly, I’d recommend tretinoin. It’s the gold standard in skincare. You can get prescription in the uk from skin&me or dermatica or if you’re travelling some countries you can buy it over the counter at a pharmacy (join some facebook groups for advice). It’s transformed my skin and I get compliments all the time! I’m 41 btw

Botox work help with your wrinkles. However as you have hooded eyelids, Botox to your forehead will make this heavier. A skilled injector will discuss with you, and with A low dose you will get some improvement over time.
If you see someone inexperienced, I have a feeling you won’t like the result.
(years of experience)

Thank you, I’ll have a look at both websites and also investigate Botox practitioners locally to me.

@Cupboardlovely, yeh the hooded eyelids are also an issue.

Do you think Botox for my eye wrinkles would be best to go for first rather than forehead and then use some better skin care (as per @Powderblue1’s suggestions) to see if they’ll improve the forehead?

I hear you OP, i had exavtly the same thing a few years ago! I use a medical practitioner for botox who takes a less is more approach with free top ups if necessary., amd I have seen a marked improvement. I also slap on a collagen face mask and a hyaluronic one once a week, and have started taking more care of what i eat, take collagen and other supplements and have subscribed to a service which delivers tret in a personalised formula. I have really noticed a difference, and others have commented how well I look etc. For eyes I do a lash loft and tint occasionally and use curlers when getting ready in the morning.

Definitely Botox but please find a very good practitioner. That vertical wrinkle in between your eyebrows could take some filler perhaps. I’m 53 had wrinkle like yours but started Botox 5 years ago and it makes a huge difference. Go for a consultation.

So I did botox and then maintain a routine and its fine. Here goes my routine if you would be interested:
Morning:
Using water to wash your face,
Sebamed clear face gel,
Garnier spf on my face and sun bum on the body
Cicaplast
Evening:
LRP moisturizer,
Tretinoin (0.1) from skinorac
Sebamed clear facial gel

A fringe.

I’d expect botox would only soften those wrinkles somewhat, it won’t eliminate them completely. Better to try tretinoin as has already been suggested.

Your eyebrows are gorgeous and you have lovely clear skin! Not what you asked about (sorry) but you’re being very harsh on yourself. It’s a v close up photo - no need for such scrutiny! Hope you get some more helpful advice

Nothing will work for that apart from Botox

Yes absolutely. Go for your frown and crows feet. This is always very flattering. It will also open up your eyes/lift your brows. 😀

I do agree it is a very close up photo; however you are early 40s so good idea to start a good skin routine including Tretinon, lots of water, eating healthy, moisturiser and sun tan lotion spf50. Also supplements: vitamin d plus k, vitamin,, omega 3 from algas

Def Botox

don't worry about the hooded eyelids a decent practitioner will take that in to account and won't inject above eye brow but higher up - you may need more than the minimal amount

I have slightly hooded eyes and I've had it done and LOVE it

My Botox lady jabs my forehead higher up so I don’t get a heavy brow. Defo go to someone experience with great reviews and some photos of their work that you can see so you don’t end up with a frozen face or a caveman brow

OP, I'm early forties too. I'm not sure whether botox there would be the best bet - here are some other options:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7Vaq4ffR3fc

I think one of the key things hasn't been mentioned - spf. I use mine most days.

@Violetparis made a good suggestion - a fringe is a very easy cover up!

Other things worth considering: retinal serum at night (I use the Beauty of Joseon one), satin pillowcase, vitamin c serum, spf during the day, sunglasses, a ceramide cleanser (I like the Cerave hydrating one) and a moisturiser (I like the Byoma gel cream one as I have combination skin).

Might also be worth upping your water intake if you don't drink enough water every day.

I'm early 40s and woke up a few days ago and decided I needed botox. Got an appt to have it done tomorrow, feeling a bit apprehensive!

Yes Botox will sort most of that OP! You do look quite a lot older but you will look your age again with Botox, it’s amazing stuff.
Do you smoke? Sun worshipper? Or it could just be your genes. Don’t blame yourself for lack of skincare as that doesn’t do much.

Agreed

Botox shouldn’t make the lids heavier if done properly

Profilho and dermarolling

@inkognitha how long do the effects last please, and what sort of age are you/did you start?Have you tried Polynucleotides? Thanks.

At this stage I’m googling CO2 laser & illumifacial but no idea what is going to have the longest effect.

op I’ve worn a facial spf for 30 years and taken really good care of my skin, my sibling doesn’t even moisturise, we look hardly any different tbh. It’s genetics. Thankfully pretty good in our case, but the 50’s, and menopause, are certainly taking their toll!

@Vroooooom
I have been microneedling myself for about 10+ years, I am late 40s now, it's the cheapest and it works, I cannot recommend it enough. How long the results last depend on how your skin is going to keep ageing. When I see the lines come back, time for a new course.

I have had 2 courses of Profhilo, effects last around 18 months. It's a subtle very hydrated and well slept look, but not a visual game changer. I would do it again if I could though.

I had CO2 laser treatments back in my 30s (scarring) but all things considered, I wouldn't do it again. Microneedling does the same without the risks (there was a thread a few days ago of a beautician buying one of these machines and using it on herself to realise it was causing unwanted fat/tissue loss). And same for PNC, seems quite a few people have had allergic reactions.

I do microneedle myself but I’m not seeing any effects, it’s been around 9 months so far but I’m not tempted to pay for that, just the profhilo, although for the prices I think I’d want to look better than well slept tbh!

For me also microneedling works, initially I have taken few sessions then I do it myself. Now I only maintain a skincare routine.