Thread: Botox!

Thoughts? Has anyone had it? Did you like it? What age is too young?

I told my husband I want to start saving up for it now so I can get it later. I'm in my 20's and already have some wrinkles (specifically on my forehead). He says everyone has these wrinkles, but I'm not seeing them on anyone else my age! I think it's from years of stress about personal problems. The wrinkles look like this smileys eyebrows! ,f::

Thanks!

this is just me, and not a judgement on those who've done it at all, i know a few who have and the boost it gave them was amazing! kudos, i just lack the courage i guess..........

............i flipped out when i first heard about it............taking a form of botulism (um, which when injested from spoiled food, can KILL you) injected into your face....that just doesn't sit right with me........i understand the concept, what it does, how it helps, and that it's pharmaceutical......but it's a toxin, and i can't personally wrap my brain around it, so i just look into the mirror, accept the fine lines as a sign of character and moisturize like crazy so they don't get any deeper :D

Yeah, but lots of things are toxins, and it's often the route of entry that determines it's fate and therefore toxicity in our bodies. But yeah, botulism is scary stuff!
I've been curious about this, too. I'm 29 and have some creases in my forehead. I photoshopped these out of a few pics and the digital results look great! I want them to be for real, now! :-D

A couple of things to do first. Have your eyes checked to see if you need glasses or need a prescription changed. Wear sunglasses every single time you go outside. Try facial massage for the forehead/brow area. Religiously use collagen fillers in those deep wrinkles. Practice relaxation therapy. Wear bangs.

Save botox for 40 years from now!!!

Souzan

Originally Posted by Souzan

A couple of things to do first. Have your eyes checked to see if you need glasses or need a prescription changed. Wear sunglasses every single time you go outside. Try facial massage for the forehead/brow area. Religiously use collagen fillers in those deep wrinkles. Practice relaxation therapy. Wear bangs.

Save botox for 40 years from now!!!

Souzan

I'm religious about sunscreen and moisturizing. Haven't yet tried the facial massage though; does that help? Can't do bangs; the husband hates them with a passion!

As for it being a toxin; I'm highly aware of that. But as I got my degree in Biology and worked as a scientist for a couple years, it doesn't phase me too much. As mentioned, lots of things are toxins. Botox just works (to my understanding) to prevent the neural synapses between the muscles from occurring, therefore relaxing and smoothing out wrinkles.

What I'm curious about is to hear from several people that have had it and whether or not they're pleased with the results. Where there side effects? Did your friends notice a change?

29 seems a good age to start. Do you agree? Or is that too young?

Forgot to add, what are collagen fillers?

Collagen fillers area super anti-aging cream in a tipped applicator. You actually apply the cream right into the crease of the wrinkle. Target carries Boots No. 7 anti-aging products and their serums and collagen fillers are fabu. I have erased most of my worry lines using them and I am a lot older than you are.

Souzan

Originally Posted by maliam

I'm religious about sunscreen and moisturizing. Haven't yet tried the facial massage though; does that help?

Massage in general helps tone the muscles so massaging the face will also tone the muscles in the face to a degree. Sunscreen and moisturizing definitely helps, as does, as suggested before wearing the sunglasses and doing things that prevent you from wrinkling certain parts of your face.

Originally Posted by maliam

Can't do bangs; the husband hates them with a passion!

I know it's not my business but I'm having a reaction to this statement...Is the sole reason you won't do bangs because of your husband's opinion? Or is this your opinion, too?


As for botox, I have no experience with it so cannot contribute to the thread hereafter...

Originally Posted by maliam

I'm religious about sunscreen and moisturizing. Haven't yet tried the facial massage though; does that help? Can't do bangs; the husband hates them with a passion!

As for it being a toxin; I'm highly aware of that. But as I got my degree in Biology and worked as a scientist for a couple years, it doesn't phase me too much. As mentioned, lots of things are toxins. Botox just works (to my understanding) to prevent the neural synapses between the muscles from occurring, therefore relaxing and smoothing out wrinkles.

What I'm curious about is to hear from several people that have had it and whether or not they're pleased with the results. Where there side effects? Did your friends notice a change?

29 seems a good age to start. Do you agree? Or is that too young?

i think 29 is too young to do ANYTHING like that...........

however, it's not too young for taking care of your skin, like previous posts mentioned

avoiding the sun, or at least have a good spf, moisturizing, exercise (yep, it to has anti aging all over it), hydration, the whole 9............

if you look at alot of dancers in their 40's and 50's, they often pass for much younger between care, and this dance form, which in its own is a fountain of youth..........i like how aunt rocky puts it "this dance massages your insides", which shows on the outside...........

Yep, 20s is too young to worry about itty bitty wrinkles. Wait til you're in your 40s or 50s to even think about getting botox, if you must. Ultimately, IMHO, it is against everything that bellydance stands for in this country to alter your body medically or surgically (i.e. plastic surgery, botox) to fit some societal norm. Fight aging the healthy way, but don't give in to society's demands that women look a certain way. Just my 2 cents, or less. :)
Eve

besides, you're already beautiful!

Hello,
in my "normal" life I'm gynecologist.
And I use Botox for myself since 5 years now. The effect is marvelous and You can make the developement of wrinkles slower.
But Botox has to be injected by a doctor who has a special training for Botox.
And You can't do anything with Botox. It's not possible to influence the wrinkles between nose and mouth ore wrinkles arround the mouth. Injections there have a to much influence on mimic. Botox is marvellous for the wrinkles arround the eyes and forehead.
A good trained doc can take the dose so, that there is a little bit rest-activity of the muscles. A good doc can serve a smooth mimic and reduce the wrinkles.
You need only a very small dose of Botox, maximum up to 70 units. The half-letal-dose is more than 1000 units.
The danger is the failure injection with falling eyes...
Best regards
Salima

Originally Posted by Azhia

I know it's not my business but I'm having a reaction to this statement...Is the sole reason you won't do bangs because of your husband's opinion? Or is this your opinion, too?

He would laugh hysterically to hear this because usually I do the exact OPPOSITE of what he asks. I think bangs look good on some gals and not others. I don't care either way for my own face, so since he doesn't like them I don't get them. Just like I don't like him with long, stringy hair, he keeps it short.

Originally Posted by ruta21030

besides, you're already beautiful!

Thank you very much (blushes)

I actually have a few more years before I reach 29, but have found myself worrying quite a bit about looking youthful lately. It may be that mid-20's breakdown (does this exist) or the fact that I just had a baby as well. However, I DO have wrinkles already :(. Primarily on my forehead and even a friend of mine has noticed. I'm going to test out the collagen fillers. Are they safe on sensitive skin?

Originally Posted by Salima

Hello,
in my "normal" life I'm gynecologist.
And I use Botox for myself since 5 years now. The effect is marvelous and You can make the developement of wrinkles slower.

Best regards
Salima

This is what I'm most interested in. I've head from several sources now that if you start early you won't develop wrinkles quickly. I've also heard that if you wait too long, the wrinkles that are deep won't go away no matter what.

Maliam,

If she is around, take a good look at your mom. That might give you an indication of how your skin will be, given you've taken care of your skin relatively the same. I think you look great now, too. And, husband opinion, gotcha! ;0)

Originally Posted by Azhia

Maliam,

If she is around, take a good look at your mom. That might give you an indication of how your skin will be, given you've taken care of your skin relatively the same. I think you look great now, too. And, husband opinion, gotcha! ;0)

Yes, I agree and this dance is supposed to make you feel better about yourself. Too many woman are under pressure at a young age to look beautiful and often miss the fact that they do already!!..g.:

I am 27, I have light forehead wrinkles from raising my eyebrows. If I couldn't raise my eyebrows, specifically my left one, I couldn't do my job (I am a secondary school teacher, I control my class with my eyebrows, seriously). Although I can see the benefits of botox in the wrinkle free stakes, I think sacrificing the character and individuality of facial expression is a bit much. I would rather see a beautiful smile with crows feet.

Originally Posted by Kash13

I am 27, I have light forehead wrinkles from raising my eyebrows. If I couldn't raise my eyebrows, specifically my left one, I couldn't do my job (I am a secondary school teacher, I control my class with my eyebrows, seriously). Although I can see the benefits of botox in the wrinkle free stakes, I think sacrificing the character and individuality of facial expression is a bit much. I would rather see a beautiful smile with crows feet.

This is awesome! I think Ansuya can control a crowd with her eyebrows as well. Same principle, right? Like this guy: ..g.:

I have gone to a consultation and I explained that I was a dancer and needed to have expression and the doctor explained what they could do - a very small amount to help reduce the lines, but not so much that I would have a frozen face. I plan to have it done sometime soon.

(I just keep spending my Botox fund on costumes!!!)

..l;,

Originally Posted by damiena

I have gone to a consultation and I explained that I was a dancer and needed to have expression and the doctor explained what they could do - a very small amount to help reduce the lines, but not so much that I would have a frozen face. I plan to have it done sometime soon.

(I just keep spending my Botox fund on costumes!!!)

..l;,

Please let me know how it turns out! I'm not planning on doing this anytime soon and would like to wait a few more years, but I'm wondering if it's worth starting to save up for now.

And I have one friend that I know of who's had it done and still has lots of expression, eyebrows and all. I'd just like to get more opinions on the outcome. It's something very interesting to me (obviously).

Everything Salima said.
I've been getting Botox regularly for the past couple of years. HUGE difference. I'm very pleased with the results and have had no side effects. However, Botox will not do a thing if you wait until the creases are too deep, as I discovered with the one between my brows. I had to have it filled with restylane first.

Edited to add: I don't look artificial or stiff, and I CAN lift my eyebrows normally (one at a time even) The only difference I notice is that when I smile, the area around my eyes doesn't get wrinkly as it would without the Botox.

Regards
Priscilla

I'd love to try Botox but I'm not sure on how much it would help on the deep brow furrow I have. I've head that these sort of deep wrinkles can't be helped and I would love to hear some feedback. I'd also like to look into laser resurfacing. Anyone care to comment on that??

Originally Posted by caroline_afifi

Yes, I agree and this dance is supposed to make you feel better about yourself. Too many woman are under pressure at a young age to look beautiful and often miss the fact that they do already!!..g.:

Amen sister!!

let me shout it from the rooftops! I LOVE BOTOX!

malia, I'd be more than happy to tell you anything you'd like to hear about it. just drop me a line! or we can chat this weekend if we're not too busy on sunday. :)

I have a very, VERY strong glabellar furrow between my eyebrows. did I mention it was VERY STRONG? my mother (and all of my aunts and cousins) have this as well. my mom, even when she's sleeping, looks like she has a coin slot between her brows. I had coin slot action going on even in high school. for me in my early 30s, I already had a permanent wrinkle starting to form there, and my normal, relaxed and happy everyday expression included a contraction of those muscles. add any intense emotion and I'd get a pretty severe furrow. so on stage, I always looked a little angry, worried, tired or confused. :P I hate it.

I did botox the first time when I was 31, for my wedding, so I would have an unfurrowed brow for my portraits. it was magic and I'm so glad I did it. and my best friends (who were never critical of me and would never have thought I needed to do anything about the furrow) noticed a very positive difference when I was onstage. I did it a couple more times and then stopped when I got pregnant with my first child.

I'm now 39, and without botox a deep muscle furrow is permanently there - I cannot relax it. if I take my fingers and smooth the skin, there is a pretty obvious wrinkle going on. while I do consider myself to be on the attractive side, I'm very self-conscious about it and I HATE how it makes me look bagged out and tired and angry every second of the day. I have just gone back to using botox, and I hope to keep it up until they come up with a more permanent solution. I regret that I wasn't able to go back to it sooner - I could have headed off some of the damage. so, anybody saying you should wait until you're 50 or something is wrong.

my face is still very expressive. you would never know that I've done botox. in fact, I plan to up the units next time to immobilize the muscles even more (they're a lot softer, but still flexed a little and I want them FLAT!). I can totally move the rest of my face just fine, thank you very much. (continued in next post...)

malia, know that you are a very, very beautiful woman. :) and you will be beautiful at 30, 40, 50 and beyond, no matter what you do. I don't think you need to worry about not looking youthful, even when you're much older - you take good care of your skin, and you have a gorgeous, lithe figure so you're always going to look fantastic onstage (you're going to age like mellilah - how beautiful is SHE???). BUT I completely and wholeheartedly support you if you want to start in with the botox. hold off as long as you think you can because it's so freaking expensive, especially if you intend to do more than one area. but if you have really active muscles and wrinkles are already forming, it's not too early, IMO. and as I'm sure you've discovered, stress and motherhood make those wrinkles develop exponentially faster. ;) if you can afford it, go for it. you won't regret it! (and I'll tell you where I get it - it's only $12 a unit - some places charge double that!)

one thing I must say: absolutely without a single exception, every person I've ever mentioned it to who told me that expression lines are great or that people shouldn't do botox did NOT have a deep glabellar furrow or strong horizontal forehead lines. if you haven't walked a mile in my wrinkled brow shoes, you really don't know what you're talking about. ;)

Originally Posted by aazura

I'd love to try Botox but I'm not sure on how much it would help on the deep brow furrow I have. I've head that these sort of deep wrinkles can't be helped and I would love to hear some feedback. I'd also like to look into laser resurfacing. Anyone care to comment on that??

it will help! 10 years ago when I did it they must have done more units because my brow was completely flat between my brows. it did not move inward at all (but I could still raise my brows just fine). it was awesome. I had 20 units this last time and I can still knit my brows, so I'm going to ask for more next time. it still looks a heck of a lot better than it does without! I'm due for my next installment in may, so ask me then and I'll let you know if it can erase a more entrenched furrow.

something else to look into: I just read a blurb in allure magazine about glabellar furrow relaxation (GFX), which is supposed to last a year at least and is comparable in price (maybe less) than a year's worth of botox...

Elisagamal,
That sounds like the same problem I had with the deep crease between the brows. It was always there, even when I wasn't frowning. I looked like I was permanently angry and scowling, and it didn't go with my personality. I always wore bangs to cover it up. The first couple of times I had Botox, I was dissapointed with the results in that particular area because, while I couldn't scowl anymore, the line was still there and and very visible. It reminded me of a deep crease in a piece of fabric that you try to iron out and you just can't. So my dermatologist suggested that I first use a filler in the crease (restylane) and then botox. It was indeed like magic. Now I use Botox in the area between the brows to prevent me from unconciously contracting those muscles which caused the line to form in the first place. Maybe a filler would work for yours as well, rather than increasing the amount of Botox?

Regards
Priscilla

thanks, priscilla! I had thought of asking my derm what to do about it next time I went in - I was wondering if I needed a stronger dose and then maybe dermabrasion or something to get rid of the line. I'll ask about restylane. :)

Originally Posted by elisagamal

malia, know that you are a very, very beautiful woman. :) and you will be beautiful at 30, 40, 50 and beyond, no matter what you do. I don't think you need to worry about not looking youthful, even when you're much older - you take good care of your skin, and you have a gorgeous, lithe figure so you're always going to look fantastic onstage (you're going to age like mellilah - how beautiful is SHE???). BUT I completely and wholeheartedly support you if you want to start in with the botox. hold off as long as you think you can because it's so freaking expensive, especially if you intend to do more than one area. but if you have really active muscles and wrinkles are already forming, it's not too early, IMO. and as I'm sure you've discovered, stress and motherhood make those wrinkles develop exponentially faster. ;) if you can afford it, go for it. you won't regret it! (and I'll tell you where I get it - it's only $12 a unit - some places charge double that!)

one thing I must say: absolutely without a single exception, every person I've ever mentioned it to who told me that expression lines are great or that people shouldn't do botox did NOT have a deep glabellar furrow or strong horizontal forehead lines. if you haven't walked a mile in my wrinkled brow shoes, you really don't know what you're talking about. ;)

Elisa I just love you! You're so honest and it's much appreciated. Thank you for the kind words. I don't have the glabellar furrow but I do see the startings of wrinkles on my forehead and don't want them to be too deep later in life. I think I will start saving now so I can start preventative Botox in my early thirties. It's so expensive that I figure if I start now I'll be able to actually afford it later! ..c::

I would like everyone on this thread to know I'm not worried about not looking youthful RIGHT NOW! And yes, dance should make me feel good about myself and it does. Many things do. I am not having self-esteem issues; I'm vain! Just like every woman is to some extent; why else would we fix our hair, wear makeup, buy costumes that look good on us? We like to feel and look beautiful! Botox is something I hear about everywhere and, since I have no personal experience, I wanted to hear from people who have used it as to whether or not they were pleased with the results. Thank you for sharing!