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.

Which depth and interval between sessions if I may ask? No result, no improvement, nothing?

I use a machine called Derminator (the only downside of this machine is the name 😂), you can set it from 0.25mm to 2.00mm deep, a lot faster and guaranteed to reach the desired depth rather than a dermaroller.

I don’t know how much Botox will help with those lines if they are present when your face is relaxed, although it will prevent them getting worse/being more prominent if you smile or frown etc. I would try microneedling and also get onto tret and moisturiser

This thread is depressing me 😭 I'm 40 and I have more wrinkles than you. Less fine lines but more deep lines, I have a sort of shar peï look.

I really don't want to do Botox, injecting stuff in my body that shouldn't be there scares me. I always worry that it's one of these things that we will discover is really toxic in a decade or so.

But I'm so sad to see so many people suggesting it and having it. I already look older than people my age because of my genes but I'm going to look older than people older than me too since most will be having Botox.

I started Skin and Me and the improved condition of my skin has made me feel a lot better about myself (hydration too) so maybe worth a try before going for the big (botox) guns. Good luck!

@shivbo2014how did it go? I went for my Botox yesterday but been going for 5 years and I know how apprehensive the first time is. Until you get to 7-10
days after then you kick yourself for not doing it earlier! Make sure you go back if it’s not quite right, I occasionally get some “spocking” but easy to solve

I had forehead lines even when relaxed and they totally disappeared 😊

Yes it was fine thanks, I was so nervous! It seems to be having a slight affect already. I cant stop looking in the mirror to see if it's working 😂 im booked in for a 2 week check, I told him to go easy so thinking I may need a top up.

Nice!! The real magic happens about 7-10 days in. Good to do the two week check in the first couple of times but after that you don’t need to do that unless you think it’s not quite right and need it topped up.

@jeaux90 why has this lady’s Botox caused this, any clue? Just when I start thinking ‘maybe I’ll get some’ I see something that puts me off.

vm.tiktok.com/ZNdBj6ACe/

How much money do you have to invest in this? Start with the basics: skincare ( the Ordinary and Inkey List are affordable and good quality). AM water rinse, a serum (vit C/niacinamide etc), moisturiser, SPF factor 50, PM cleanser, serum, retinol/tretinoin, moisturiser. But obviously consider.your skin type - this is what works for me.

Then you could consider a belt and braces approach of microneedling course, some kind of laser treatment (Sofwave, Ultracel etc), maybe profhilo and/or polynucleotide injections to really get cracking on it then botox for maintenance. This will be expensive but should make a real difference.

But you have to take skincare seriously and commit to it - as minimum vit C, retinol and SPF (SPF being the critical.factor). Otherwise anything more expensive is just a bit of a waste of money.

Look at the Tweakments guide website for ideas on treatments and recommendations of practitioners. Don't get any kind of injectable or other medical grade intervention from a non-medic, look for CQC reg amd check credentials. Lots of cowboys out there.

I go to Dr Rita Rakus in central London. I dont have botox as I dislike the effect on me but I have had Sofwave, polynucleotides, Ultracel and have been delighted. It's been incredibly.natural but so effective- i just look like me if I'd always taken care of my skin and had a brilliant night's sleep. She is fab but there are loads out there who are really good.

@inkognitha sorry just saw your question. 0.5mm & at least once, sometimes twice, per week. I’m guessing I need to go to a salon then and get a deep session for results.

@Vroooooom never fuck around near your eyes. Botox as a lip flip and forehead is fine.

You can buy adapalene (prescription strength retinoid) on iherb

https://uk.iherb.com/pr/differin-adapalene-gel-0-1-acne-treatment-fragrance-free-0-5-oz-15-g/86314

Apply on dry skin (20 mins after cleansing with something gentle, like LRP toleriane). Then apply gentle moisturiser, CeraVe is great, then an occlusive like LRP cicaplast. And in the morning, cleanse, vitamin C serum, moisturiser and SPF. LRP do great SPF, and cicaplast with SPF for when skin is getting used to retinol and very dry and sensitive.

Also, add in rose hip oil at night mixed in with moisturiser, if you like the smell and your skin isn’t acne prone.

Build up tolerance to the retinoid by using every 3 days, then 2 up to every night when your skin can tolerate. In the beginning you might need to wash it off after 20 mins and moisturise if it stings.

Twice a week? You are probably overdoing it, you don’t leave time for your skin to recover
and 0.5 mm is not very deep and won’t do much.

I generally go 0.75/1.00 for my face, I will do 1.5 once a year. But I leave a minimum of 4 weeks between sessions, 6 weeks when above 1mm, the deeper you go, the more you need to wait.