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Botox?

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Please delete if not allowed, but I thought people had talked about make up, skin care, etc. before.

I am debating Botox, but once I felt I might pull the trigger I got that gnawing feeling of: do I really have to spend hundreds of dollars on my face because I am getting older? I go back and forth. It doesn't seem to be dangerous, and I would feel more confident. And yet that money could go to something much more fun.

Have you done it? Do you recommend it? What is the minimum you think you need to spend? (Because there does seem to be a minimum.)

For me I really just would want one spot, which is the vertical furrow line between brows.

General

29 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

LJP

Veteran

I've tried it, albeit probably almost 20 years ago now. I have pretty prominent lines around my mouth (never having smoked though ) and at that time, botox was seen as the best way to help with that. I hated it - it was hard to eat and drink and the whole thing struck me as crazy. it wasn't terribly expensive at that time, which is why I did it. Fast forward to the use of fillers instead, and I also tried that. Equally obvious and silly. I think though in your case it's a different story. It won't be obvious and crazy looking, and is pretty easy to do. Not terribly expensive either (compared to filler) , although how much the injector uses is variable.

Irina

Veteran

I tried Botox maybe 5 years ago for my increasingly droopy eyebrows, so the injections went into my forehead. The results were OK, not too impressive though. I don’t have deep wrinkles in my forehead, so that was not a goal and didn’t work much for eyebrows. It lasted maybe 4 months. I considered it again recently but decided against it as it is not a good investment in my case.

It might be not terribly expensive in your case, around $100 but be aware that it doesn’t last long. Worth a try, imo, so you can judge for yourself.

cat2

Veteran

I tried it; I went to a plastic surgeon my friends love because I had had a bad experience with a dermatologist on another procedure. I hated it; it wipes out your facial expression, and until it wore off my husband kept asking if I was mad at him. Apparently it made my RBF worse. After that I just concentrated on not clenching the muscles in my forehead.

April

Veteran

The thing about botox is, it doesn't fix a line, it just keeps it from getting deeper - IF and only if you continue with the injections. As others have said, I did it once (for the deep vertical lines between my eyebrows) and decided the upkeep was not for me.

Lisa

Veteran

I have not done botox but have talked to others who've had it done. I've heard that it can take a few times of going back to get the result wanted because it may not "settle" where it was placed. I think it's the same issue as with fillers, the liquid can/may travel over time.

For myself, I'm not willing to risk an allergic reaction for botox. I know that's rare, but I wouldn't know I'm allergic until I had it done and that's not worth it to me.

I'm also really lazy and would never keep up with the upkeep. It's one reason why I stopped coloring my hair years ago, I didn't want to keep up with the every 6 weeks schedule. Botox will require maintenance to keep the look desired.

I have talked to some people who are very pleased with the results from botox and maintain it regularly. It's definitely a personal decision, I wish you good luck with whichever option you choose.

Helena

Veteran

I haven't done Botox but many of my friends have. One that did for the eyebrow furrow had good success by emphasizing that she wanted to use minimal amounts ... It looks pretty natural to me and she hasn't had problems. I'm not sure about the cost though!

unfrumped

Veteran

I haven’t tried it, but enjoyed reading the comments.

I am an “ older lady now, several years retired, and can certainly see the various “ expression lines” creeping in.
I have wondered what it’d look like to erase the forehead lines between the
eyebrows. Or get an eyelid lift ( which is a different thing, of course).

Aside from concerns about complications or poor results, I’m mostly thinking, I could not keep doing it. Not just the cost, but mildly invasive each time, when to get the re-do, each time maybe it might turn out differently. So too much hassle and anxiety for just a few years of possible cosmetic benefit AND in the end, my face ( if I live that long), will just keep on going the ways of aging.

I have friends who are 10 to 25 (!) years older than I , and they are full of wrinkles. Which I admit at times makes me think, so this is what ….. Yet several are known simply for their glorious positive outlooks, good humor, lively conversation. I realize that that is where I need to put my efforts.

Plus, I do think that gradual changes in my face, plus hair, plus body shape, influence what styles I prefer. Not meaning “ old style”, but maybe different styles of tops, jackets etc help me feel more vibrant and best version of me, compared to the styles that did that in different past decades. So I prefer to figure that out in a gradual way in step with evolving fashion and fits and replacing or updating items.

For me, hair color ( gradually going silvery! ) is part of that, I can’t do the upkeep of hair color, but I do think that’s different- non- invasive ( though uses chemicals), hair grows back, off- beat hair coloring is now a fashion thing. But good haircuts even if frequent, trying new styles whenever desired—I think that’s worth budgeting for.

You may have done this already, but if not, you might consider getting the best dermatologist advice on “ anti-aging” ( hah) skincare and topicals, best sun protection of course. Your best haircut. Take time or even travel to do Retail Research on new styles that might give an aha! moment ( sounds like you already have found great style directions and goals and enjoy careful curation).

Then I keep reminding myself to avoid spending too much time on those very things ( since I do enjoy clothes & style), but to use plenty of time and resources to work on health & strength ( have been in a good groove on that for awhile ), and on the many interesting books, experiences, people, that may help me stay positive and useful and “ interesting “ even as my face may be shifting downwards!

This was not meant at all as preachy advice— it’s more that your question resonates with my time of life, so I’m more renewing my pep talk to myself!

Roberta

Veteran

I really appreciate this conversation as I had been considering it myself. My "elevens" are not too prominent, but I liked the idea of one shot to freeze their advancement. A lifetime of frowning in thought has done me no favors.

I have literally been seeing my face in a new way since having cataract surgery last week. I was shocked when I saw myself clearly without glasses for the first time. I had a real Jamie lee Curtis "I'm the Cryptkeeper!" moment. My glasses were concealing spots and creases and rough patches! A dermatology consult is definitely on my list when the second eye is done and healed. I spend almost nothing on my hair, nails, and makeup, so skin repair seems like a good investment to me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I haven't done it, and have never seriously considered it for myself -- not that I don't have plenty of wrinkles that could use a little (or a lot) of smoothing out -- I most certainly do! But I'm super wary, and I worry about expensive upkeep. Never say never, but listening to the voices here, I'm less inclined to investigate further.

Having said that, I have several friends who have had botox as a treatment for migraines! They said it was somewhat helpful to them.

JAileen

Veteran

I don’t know anything about Botox, sorry. I probably know people who have had it, but they never bothered to tell me.

I do want to put in a plug for a super popular dermatological procedure here in the high desert. It’s Mohs surgery, to remove skin cancer. My husband had it recently, and a close friend has had it five or six times. The most important thing we can do is wear sunscreen. Coincidentally it’s good for wrinkles, too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is allowed, Carol

Never had botox. Never had cosmetic treatment other than a facial, and a few dodgy mole removals. I tried to have some of the veins on my legs removed about 15 years ago - and didn't go through with it!

Personally Like Lisa and Suz, I am very wary of this type of thing.

I have clients and friends who have botox to minimize wrinkles, minimize migraines, and minimize underarm sweating. The botox thankfully minimizes their migraines and sweating! It's life-changing for them. Not sure if the wrinkle softening is as life-changing.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think it’s an opportunity to think through how you feel about ageing. There is always going to be someone prettier than you, and there is going to be someone uglier than you as well. I look at the occasional photos of really amazing looking women in my country- there is one of 75 years old who was a fashion guru, still slim, blonde and hardly any wrinkles. I can see that I look older at 63 than she does at 75. But she is rare! And probably spends a lot.
I decided some time back not to try Botox or anything similar, even although I am very occasionally tempted.

Kate

Veteran

I have had botox for migraine several times, one of many dozens of therapies for migraine I've had over the years.

It's interesting. The protocol requires about about 25 separate injections; only about 1/4 of them in the forehead and trigeminal area about an inch inside the hairline on either side of your face. The remainder go in the back of your head and neck.

Because I didn't have 11s, those vertical marks between the eyes that some have, or prominent forehead lines, I didn't see any difference, nor did my forehead feel frozen. However, after a few days, one of my eyebrows raised to point of looking very much like Mr. Spock's! My husband noticed it. It was both mortifying and very funny. And just the one! Went back to my migraine doc, and he says, yeah, sorry, I'm no plastic surgeon but I can fix this. Which he did, with another tiny injection of botox into the muscle just about the eyebrow to relax it. That worked fine.

I always reminded him of that the other times I had botox.

I really wish it had helped me as it has a lot of people with migraine, but it didn't. However, current thinking on migraine is using a multi-therapy approach, of which botox can certainly be a part. My current migraine specialist believes it's worth revisiting, and I'm willing. I will say botox certainly gave me some relief in the stiff muscles at the back of my neck.

Runcarla

Veteran

My 86 yo old mother has and still gets Botox and fillers. I’m not sure that I can tell a difference in the way she looks. She has always taken excellent care of her skin. Two of my young (30’ish) nieces are into fillers and such, and they seem to have lost the individuality and personality of their facial features - if that makes any sense?!

Mom suggested I get some work done - filler for a hollow spot on my cheek under my right cheek bone. This comment hurt my feelings, to tell the truth. I’m happy with the way I’m aging. I especially like the way I look after a good night’s rest or a workout.

Like some folks, I’ve had a ‘dodgy’ sun spot treated, and get periodic dermatologist screenings vs skin cancer. I’m not fundamentally against cosmetic procedures - they’re just not for me.

LJP

Veteran

The thing that keeps coming back to me anytime I think about cosmetic enhancements like this is : " to what end?". Am I going to keep it up for years until one day I decide enough is enough....and then all of a sudden your aging face is ok ? It's not the same as stopping colouring your hair. I think if one was in the public eye, or on tv a lot , or in some profession that demanded you look a certain way - then maybe it's worth it. Otherwise, it's a commitment to several hundred $$ a few times a year . And the time spent booking the appt, having the injections, waiting for them to take effect, deciding if you like it, and then repeating this all over again in 3-4 months. Also, I found it was a slippery slope into other enhancements - like 'where else should I put some filler, or have some botox? " , " do I need a peel?" and on it goes. I look at hundreds of women between 35-75 at work every single day, and the ones pumped full of fillers always look it. And never look younger as a result. I know I'm getting off track here - with forehead "11's" botox can be really effective. The rest of it? I won't answer that. Lol.

DonnaF

Veteran

I've never considered botox or fillers because I don't consider myself to be particularly wrinkly -- but at about the same time that I started fussing about wrinkles I developed an autoimmune disease wherein my body produces too much collagen. In exchange for the disease, I would welcome wrinkles any time.

My friend recently lost her hair due to chemotherapy. I discovered The Pink Wig Project which sells inexpensive pink pageboy wigs to uplift and support women who have lost their hair due to chemo. My friend bought herself a wig and another friend and I bought ourselves wigs to be in solidarity and look like we are in some type of aging musical group when we go out together. After our last lunch together, we went to a wig shop so my friend could look at and try on wigs. I was flabbergasted at how one wig made her look super old and completely terrible. She gets compliments, however, every time she goes out in the pink wig! It completely brightens her face.

Another friend wore a short blue go-go girl pageboy wig to a wigging out birthdat party, and I swear it was more flattering than her natural hair. . .

So. . .some ideas on temporary solutions on how to change up your look. . .

bj1111

Veteran

Bangs. Cheaper.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have never tried botox or fillers for many of the reasons mentioned above - upkeep, expense, inconsistent results, and so on. Also I don't have prominent 11 lines (my aging concerns are more on the lower half of my face!). That said, I do invest a lot of time and most of my beauty budget on my skin in terms of potions, lotions and devices. If something like botox had the potential to help with my concerns I might be tempted. It is hard for me to say.

Sal

Veteran

It is topical to me Carol so thank you for the thread. I have not had botox or fillers, but have had lasers on my face and moles removed.

But I may be having some facial surgery and/or botox. My left eye is drooping a bit, and it is starting to annoy me both from a vision perspective, and my appearance. I could get a blethoroplasty (?) or maybe botox to stop the droop. But I am sitting on it until I have another unrelated medical procedure this month.

It is hard at times adjusting to an aging face and I can feel dismay when I see how tired I look.

But I also agree with Lisa - "to what end"?

I can see some of my friends have had botox - or fillers - but it's not often talked about here, I don't think people are as open about it.

Aquamarine

Veteran

It’s hard enough for me to keep up with my hair coloring schedule, so right now I doubt I’d add Botox to my to-do list (but never say never).

I have two people in my life that I highly suspect have had fillers the last couple of years. I hadn’t seen either of them for a while until recently, and now I do not think they look the same at all (cheeks plumper, eyes less sunken). One seems to have overdone it, frankly.

NancyW

Veteran

We are fortunate to have choices and to have this nonjudgmental group in which to discuss them. I had eyelid surgery at 63 and it changed my quality of life for the better. I had not realized how my trouble with reading in the morning and at the end of the day was caused by my very droopy eyelids and not by a poor prescription in my glasses. As to Botox or other fillers, any decision both personal and not permanent.

Bijou

Veteran

bj1111 you made me laugh out loud - and so true!

I have not tried botox nor considered it because I find that my regular appointments (hairdresser, beautician, dental, optometrist) come around quickly and I don't want to add to the list.

I have an annual check-up with my dermatologist as I am at high risk of developing skin cancer and melanoma. On my check-up 4 years ago I asked my dermatologist if other than sunscreen, is there an anti-aging cream he could recommend. He gave me a prescription for a 1% retinol cream - I go through 2 tubes a year and it really has helped to keep most of the fine lines at bay. My skin is softening around my jawline and on my neck, so I am definitely seeing signs of aging normal for a woman in her 50's.

If I was to do anything, I would have some sort of surgical procedure rather than something that requires ongoing maintenance such as fillers and botox. However, I would rather spend the money on a holiday, so whilst in principle I am OK with surgery or fillers etc, I'm not likely to do so unless something happens that really bothers me (such as having hooded eyes that impact my vision).

Many of my friends have done/ continue to use botox and I am hopeless because I can never tell (not sure if that is a good or bad thing). They look lovely, but I always thought they looked great!

Staysfit

Veteran

I get botox for migraines and have done so for 15 years, every 3 months. The biggest drawbacks are muscle wasting and every once in a while someone manages to miss the correct muscle and I get a droopy eyelid. As mentioned by someone above, when jsed for migraines, there are 25 to 30 injections and it is not done for cosmetoc purposes, so I’m not sure if it has given me any benefit. I definitely have wrinkles.

bj1111

Veteran

@Bijou—agree with choosing a light surgical procedure to handle the jaw softness.

Don’t get me wrong—I’ve done Botox and have loved the results. Wished I started in my 40s as a preventive measure. The upkeep is a bear so bangs it is.

RobinF

Veteran

I agree with Bijou, if I were spending the money I'd go with surgery. I think I am pretty lucky as far as wrinkles. I do have some 11's and smile wrinkles but not much else for someone 62. But that sagging jaw bothers me. I spent my lifetime surgery budget for a breast reduction though, and I wouldn't trade that for less wrinkles

BrieN

Veteran

Surprised to be the lone botox devotee here. Have been using it for over 10 years in my 11's. I still have a really strong little muscle up there that really wants to furrow, but I seem to have been able to keep it from making defined wrinkles. Considering my very prominent browbone and that muscle, I really wonder what my 11's would look like without it. I'd estimate that I go in 3-4 times a year for Botox. I'm trying to figure what the 11's alone would cost - I've added on a few other areas over time. Probably a few hundred dollars for just the 11's? You can call and ask for an estimate - and ask if/when they might have deals available. I am not of the opinion that Botox makes me look especially younger - just less scowly/downturned. I don't actually pay much attention to it; I guess I've been doing so long that it's just one of those things I do.

I also get other procedures like laser - I have rosacea and it takes a lot to keep it at bay.

No filler for me so far. It's funny when people lump Botox and filler together - they seem like very different things to me.

MsMaven

Veteran

I had Botox for between the brow lines for several years until Covid. I liked the results, which still had a positive effect after I stopped. Thinking of going back to it.

I also had filler for the deep wrinkles on the sides of my mouth. I didn’t like the result. (Maybe I have photos.)

I’ve been planning on going to my local clinic to see what procedures would benefit me now, but at moment this is low priority.

So count me as a positive on Botox. I don’t like it on some people who seem to have frozen faces.

Helen247

I had it done a few times on my forehead.
It stopped the comments like "smile Helen" because I looked so serious.
Most importantly when I looked in a mirror I looked happier.
And that's what matters at the end.

Joy

Veteran

This is interesting. I have never considered doing anything like Botox or fillers that needs up keep or is a slippery slope. I would consider groppy eyelids done but now am glasses free do to surgery. And may consider glasses again as I miss them. They cover up a lot and are hard to find (I take a child size ). And do not want black or dark brown but white to match white hair.