Botox, Sculptra and Tretinoin in the UK ... on a goal to look younger this year, what is everyone's experience with these treatments?

[AnnaBelIa]

I’m on a bit of a goal to look younger this year (or at least look less tired 😂) and I’ve been researching and started Botox, Sculptra and tretinoin

I’d love to hear from anyone else who has actually tried any of these...

Botox- How did you find the results? Did it make a noticeable difference to forehead lines, frown lines or crow’s feet? How long did your Botox results last, and did you feel it looked natural?

Sculptra- I’m particularly curious about this one because it seems quite different from traditional filler. Has anyone had Sculptra in the UK for collagen stimulation, skin firmness or facial ageing? How many treatments did you have and when did you start seeing results?

Tretinoin - Has anyone been prescribed tretinoin in the UK for anti-ageing, fine lines, pigmentation or skin texture? I’m wondering whether it’s genuinely worth the irritation and how long it took before you noticed a difference.

If you’ve tried one, two or all three, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience... especially results, side effects, cost, downtime and whether you’d do it again.

Or any other treatments anyone has tried that they would recommend?

Basically, what actually worked for you.

Your cheek supports your under eye area, so replacing the lost volume in the cheek can improve the appearance of the under eye hollow

I tried Tretinoin for about four months using skin and me. I didn’t get up to a very high concentration. My skin was sore and dry throughout. I kept trying the sandwich method with moisturiser, every other day, etc. I kept getting comments like “What’s going on with your face?” And eventually gave up. I guess it’s just not for everyone!

You could always try a retinal? It’s less potent than tret.

I’ve had Botox several times (usually once every 9 months). I like it for forehead and 11 lines.
had sculptra about 8 weeks ago and can notice a difference. Due to have the second course next week.
I also get micro needling and BBL (laser) which is great for dark spots and overall skin resurfacing.

@Savvysix1984 how did you find the Sculptra?
My Aesthetician is very enthusiastic about it.

I’ve Sunekos under my eyes, the skin quality is better but I’ve still got hollowing. Tear Troughs look too risky for me.

Tret 3 times a week and a course of microneedling have improved my skin quality

I find so many practioners are reluctant to do the tear trough filler. I’d really like to try it. Apparently there are better fillers now made for under eye specifically so I’m going to ask the lady I go to about this.

Scultra is a biostimulator, you won’t not much of a difference for a good few weeks.

I don’t think you’ll look any younger regardless of which treatments you go for.

Your skin might look good/better, you may look more “alive”, have a glow etc but even women with unlimited funds to spend on skincare and their bodies do not look substantially younger.

Take a look at Jennifer Aniston as one example. Looks good but still looks in her 50s.

Staying out of sun, good diet, plenty of water, low stress and enough sleep will go a long way and not smoking/vaping.

Botox is great, I have it three times a year in my 11s and crows feet. It’s great- definitely not frozen and just look fresher. I have also used tretinoin for around 5 years- it’s fantastic and I always recommend to others. You just start slowly and gradually increase. I use the 0.05 nightly now with no irritation. I get complimented a lot on my skin and it’s made a huge difference.

Not had sculptra or any types of filler so can’t comment on that.

Thanks. That’s what I hoped. What filler did they use?

Can anyone recommend a good Botox practitioner in London? Had a great dentist who did it but she’s become very expensive. Tried one of the chains and it has worn off quite quickly.

Also, what other ‘brands’ of Botox-like injections are deemed to be more potent?

im not trying to look frozen but my lines are very deep!

Not sure but will ask her

The actual procedure was pretty painless. I’ve only just started noticing that my face looks more glowy and less saggy. I’m having a 2nd session next week.

I actually find the sandwich method for tret makes my skin more sensitive. A bit like if you have wet skin your skin absorbs moisturiser more I feel it's the same when I use moisturizer and I find it's best in bone dry skin and then after 30 mins I might use a moisturizer if I feel my skin is dry

Botox every five to six months. Started on 0.25% tret, now 0.5% from Dermatica. Referral code below for anyone who’s interested. I’m looking into led masks next.

Try personalised skincare for just £2.90, plus £10 off your next month.

Head to www.dermatica.co.uk and checkout with code Q35V96 https://www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/Q35V96

Hi, OP here, I've had one session of Sculptra myself (2 more to go), I have noticed improvement so far. I went through Therapie clinics because they have just introduced it as a new treatment, and also it's all doctors doing the treatments. I was told it is an introductory rate right now (and was the cheapest I could find in London, around £1100 for 3 sessions for quite a large area, as I am targeting nasolabial folds). Everywhere else in London was quoting me £1800+ for the same areas. (If you are new to their clinic you can also use my code 2vC3liXq when joining for £50 credit back after any treatment there). I used someone else's code when I joined, and that's how I discovered them. Otherwise, I usually go to independent clinics for treatments like this.

To be honest I wasn't impressed by the before/after Sculptra photos on the official website, I actually think my own results so far are better than the models... but maybe they are intentionally using a 'mild' example like that to manage clients expectations. I was just eager to try the 'natural' route before doing fillers. I have had prominent nasolabial folds since my mid-late 20s (I am 38 now) and the one on the right has almost completely faded since my first treatment. Because I sleep on my left side more often, the one on the left is going to be more stubborn I think. But I am hoping to reduce it as much as possible.

How long did you find Sunekos lasted? Was it worth it? I am considering this too for under eyes.... I have iron deficiency and I have seen women get iron infusions and eliminate under eye circles that way ... (I feel maybe I will try that first just in case my iron is contributing).

I do Therapie Clinic, 3 areas, and the first time I did it, the 11 forehead lines didn't hold very well at all, but the crows feet were still holding many months later. I then went back to the same clinic, and asked them to go harder on the 11 lines, which they have done so now! The doctor said everyone is different, you will sometimes get an area that doesn't hold so well. For Therapie use code 2vC3liXq when you join for £50 credit back (which can be stacked with the new customer offer). I saw a doctor there last time.

There are doctors and also injectors and they do let you choose who to see, but I just see whoever is available on the days I'm free. Overall, I am happy with them. They also let you do free top-ups 2 weeks later.

I go to the one in Westfield White City / Shepherds Bush shopping centre, and after I go downstairs and get a shaved ice at the Japan Centre and just sit and relax there for an hour with my cool dessert, so the whole thing has a chance to set, without me working up a sweat on the tube or anything!

Thanks so much AnnaBella! I’ve used their clinic near Tower Bridge once but the 11s really didn’t stick at all and frown lines are back five months later. I had it before years ago twice and it worked though my injector did a natural look. She is way more expensive than Therapie though so I sought them out when they had their new client offer. I wonder if your code will work if I’m not new?

I’ve looked into all three, and I think they each address ageing in quite different ways. Botox treatment seems particularly useful for expression lines like forehead and frown lines, while Sculptra is more of a gradual approach to improving firmness and collagen. Tretinoin seems to require the most patience, especially at the beginning when irritation can be an issue.
From what I’ve read, getting realistic expectations and having treatments done by a qualified practitioner makes a big difference. I’d definitely give each treatment enough time to show results before deciding whether it’s worth continuing.

That code is for new customers to Therapie only unfortunately, and they also do a new customer 3 area discount which can be stacked with the code. That is what I did my first time, but now I just joined the subscription (£45 a month and you get a treatment every 17 weeks). It works out cheaper overall, and I want to regularly hit my 11 lines...

I read that the muscles will weaken over time if you do it regularly. My 11 lines were really strong, as I am often squinting my eyes on screens for work and my work is stressful so I'm always frowning, lol. I used to stick frownies on my forehead every night, so the botox has saved me a lot of time and stress.

I'm 48 and have been using tretinoin (have actually moved on to tazarotene now) for maybe 12 years? This combined with daily spf and I would say I have much better skin than most women I meet of my age. Obviously wrinkles are only one aspect of ageing so it doesn't stop under eye hallowing or fat pads moving down the face etc. But I'll never be without it.

I've never tried botox but I feel we all know what that does at this point and it would be safe enough for you to experiment with. Sculptra is newer and it does sound very interesting as a filler alternative. But then things I also read things about it that give me pause. So while it's piqued my interest I might wait a couple of years and see it more info emerges on that one.

I do love microneedling, producing new collagen is the best thing you can do for maintaining a youthful plumpness to the face really.

Also it's not true that everyone who starts using tretinoin will experience irritation. I went slow and steady and irritation was minimal and lasted a fortnight at most.

I’ve not used any of the treatments you’ve mentioned OP, but I had my first treatment of Nexfill filler in April.
I’m mid 50’s and facial changes were really noticeable after losing weight.
I had my cheeks and area between lips and chin done, and marionette lines.

I love the difference, it’s subtle but enough to make a huge difference to me. Totally worth being uncomfortable for a few weeks post treatment for!

I use Skin + Me. It’s prescription tretinoin with azelaic acid and niacidamide. Tret use means I regularly get compliments on my skin.

If you want to give it a go on offer, here’s my linkydink

www.skinandme.com/?promocode=HELENB5DKD

'Staying out of sun, good diet, plenty of water, low stress and enough sleep will go a long way and not smoking/vaping.'

Totally agree that all the lifestyle stuff is at least as important as anything topical. That said, I use tretinoin via Dermatica and I love it. As everyone said, slow and steady is the way forward. I use 0.05% every other night

@Shloopie, where do you get your tazarotene from? I hear very good things

I use tretinoin and it's excellent stuff. I've posted about this before, but I won't use Skin + Me. They 'prescribed' DD and me exactly the same treatment, despite the obvious age difference, completely different skin types, and different concerns.

I buy tretinoin online, no subscription needed and so much cheaper.