What is your view about Botox?
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free skin care · Sat May 19, 2012 7:16 am

I use Dysport, not Botox, but they work the same way. I love it!

Over the years of raising five sons while my hubby worked away from home for three weeks out of every single month, I developed a frown line. (you can imagine!). Sorta like the 11s, but just one line smack dab in the middle between my eyebrows.

Dysport completely erases that line, prevents me from adding to the line by preventing that deep frown, AND I've noticed that each time the Dysport wears off, the line is a little less defined than the time before.

I've never suffered any side effects, and neither has anyone I know who uses it.

Makes a huge difference!

free skin care · Sat May 19, 2012 7:36 am

Kgeux-I agree with you, basically use botox for the same area and have for 8 years on and off. It made a huge difference for me.
To me, it is like raising children or childbirth (or really anything for that matter). You will find that everyone has a different story and after a while you become overwhelmed so you have to do whats best in your situation and then just use common sense. Laughing

free skin care · Sat May 19, 2012 7:38 am

Everyone that I know who use it love it!! I tried Dynasport, and while it was great in what it did, I felt I over used my other muscles. It seems my face was hell bent to still make the same expressions Confused

! So for me the fear is I am making other areas worse in the long run, but I think I am in the minority on that.

My short run with it was not long enough to know one way or the other, but I know I made other muscles "tired".

free skin care · Sat May 19, 2012 5:21 pm

I believe Botox has been around long enough now to speak for itself. It is really the only thing that will visibly remove wrinkles from the skin. And regular use has been shown to stop the formation of new ones. The ongoing cost can be hard to bear - but with the rising cost of topicals it's starting to be comparable. I know women who would spend far more at the hairdressers than I would on Botox.

Also, for me, it's beneficial in another way because it definitely helps with the control of my migraines.

I realise that some people are against it because they don't like the thought of the whole process - but if you try it and like it, those fears dissolve very quickly.

free skin care · Sat May 19, 2012 5:42 pm

I am hurtling towards 40 and my attitude is never say never. I considered it for my elevens, but they now virtually invisible - magnifying mirror - with more hydrating skincare and dermarolling. Very Happy

I would have grave reservations about having Botox on multiple areas because I don't think it can be good for the overall facial musculature to have many muscles paralysed for long periods. I can see how you temporarily weakening a muscle(s) could help the opposing muscle(s) regain strength and and dominance.

free skin care · Sat May 19, 2012 7:31 pm

I absolutely LOVE it, but unfortunately I am Botox resistant and it just doesn't last for me. Sad

But it makes a HUGE difference in making you look younger, and frankly nothing else compares.

free skin care · Sat May 19, 2012 8:02 pm

Thanks ladies, great advice. I'm also a person who never say never. So Im thinking about it. I met up with a friend who uses it just a little around the crows feet and the nose to mouth lines (forget what they're called) She loves it. No side effects

I'm thinking about it and need to do some research on some good drs in australia. Smile

free skin care · Sun May 20, 2012 5:01 pm

I've been getting Botox for my crow's feet for nearly 4 years now. It honestly doesn't hurt & it's over so quick. I'm a real wuss when it comes to needles & pain but getting Botox doesn't worry me in the slightest. Of course i was a little nervous the first time.
My crow's around my right eye are really horrendous without Botox. I'm 40 btw. Botox erases them completely for 3 months. They gradually come back during the 4th month. I love Botox. It's not cheap but i don't spend a lot of money on clothes, makeup, shoes, handbags, hair etc so i don't care. It's so worth it to not have all those lines. I've also been getting a little Botox in my 11's (or rather my 1, lol)for the last 6 months or so. I only need 6 units to freeze that area so i can't frown unless i really, really try, lol. I only have a faint line there but it annoys me and i don't want it getting worse.

free skin care · Sun May 20, 2012 5:07 pm

ATester wrote:

The first two times I used it I was really pleased with the results... slight crows feet gone in five days and nice small lift of eyebrows plus brow free of lines...
The third time was with a different physician and the brow was left with no wrinkles too but the eyebrows were not lifted, just kind of "sat" over my upper eyelids, this happened again the next time...it caused the upper eyelids, eyebrows, to kind of "sit" or even overhang the eye, so I wonder about this, does it depend on what surgeon administers it? Or is it what happens when you use regularly? Has anyne found this happen?

This is caused by the way the Botox is injected and has nothing to do with regular use. An experienced injector can raise or lower the eyebrows by injecting in certain areas - it's all down to technique.

free skin care · Mon May 21, 2012 6:52 am

You could take a Xanax, but it isn't painful, the needle is so tiny! Now the injectibles are a little more painful to me but still tolerable and over pretty quickly.

free skin care · Mon May 21, 2012 4:40 pm

ATester wrote:

Keliu wrote:

ATester wrote:

The first two times I used it I was really pleased with the results... slight crows feet gone in five days and nice small lift of eyebrows plus brow free of lines...
The third time was with a different physician and the brow was left with no wrinkles too but the eyebrows were not lifted, just kind of "sat" over my upper eyelids, this happened again the next time...it caused the upper eyelids, eyebrows, to kind of "sit" or even overhang the eye, so I wonder about this, does it depend on what surgeon administers it? Or is it what happens when you use regularly? Has anyne found this happen?

This is caused by the way the Botox is injected and has nothing to do with regular use. An experienced injector can raise or lower the eyebrows by injecting in certain areas - it's all down to technique.

I find it difficult to understand, so if the muscle is paralyzed, it is paralyzed, what is the difference as to where it is injected?

I don't know enough about the musculature of the face to answer your question. All I know is that Botox can be used to raise the eyebrows - similarly, if injected into the wrong spot, the eyebrow can droop. Therefore placement is very important. A skilled injector will look at the contours of your face and place the Botox for the best aesthetic outcome. Also, Botox can be used around the mouth area to raise the corners of the mouth to take away that "sour" look that a droopy mouth can give.

free skin care · Tue May 22, 2012 7:15 am

Edited to add I’ve saw Bonnie Tyler in a tv advert and thought she looked fantastic and she said she has to have Botox injections now every 3 months but swears by it and if her results are anything to go by I was like dam got to get me some!

free skin care · Tue May 22, 2012 4:30 pm

I'm not going to argue that Botox doesn't cause eventual sag because I really don't know. What I do know is that ALL faces sag eventually - it's part of the aging process.

TheresaMary - I get your point about sagging being caused by the non-use of facial muscles. On the other hand, I just read that it is the constant stretching of facial muscles that causes the sagging - like the old analogy of a piece of elastic stretched too many times. Which, of course, Botox stops.

What to believe?? Wish I knew!!! I think we all have to do what makes us feel most comfortable with ourselves. I'm a fairly long time Botox user now and don't believe I have any side effects from it - except that it helps with my migraines. At least I do see a visible improvement with it - which is something I never see with topicals. And as someone else pointed out, with the price of serums getting into the hundreds of dollars, I'd rather just buy cheap old Retin-A and use Botox every few months. It also gives me a lift (no pun intended - I mean psychologically!) Some people look forward to getting their hair done - I don't, I hate the hairdressers. But I do look forward to my quarterly injections!

free skin care · Tue May 22, 2012 4:39 pm

If I understand how and why they started using botox for wrinkles is from eye doctors, using this around the eyes of Graves Disease patients. When they came back for follow up visits the Doctors were blown away at the "lack of wrinkles".

This means its been being used for well over 20 years around the eyes and forehead. They were injecting these areas in the patients to help stop the protruding of the eye caused by the illness.

So are there long term studies of botox, sure, but it still needs to be an individual decision. A risk vs. benefit! Hope that helps some.

There should be some studies somewhere to address this issue further

free skin care · Tue May 22, 2012 8:04 pm

Botox is fantastic for me - I was developing a 'mad' look and it erased my '11's for me completely. There was even a crease that was left behind for the first few years of botox that has now disappeared.

A well trained injector is most important w/ botox. Investigate that before you have it done.

The last time I had mine done I had asked about them injecting it in my forehead (outside the central area for the 11's) thinking that was something they always did for a 'forehead lift'. But, they assured me they never did that because that would cause the brow to 'droop' and cause me to have heavy eyelids. The botox that is injected for the 11's will spread/fan out - upward and outward (a bit) for a little bit of a lift right down the center of the forehead. For you younger ones - that's all you need for a 'brow lift'.

Botox can be used in many areas if your injector knows how to do it skillfully. It can be used to prevent the curling of the lips (and prevent the 'smoker's lines), for the downturn of the corners of the lips, for the lower chin, for the neck cords, for sweating palms, for TMJ, and many more uses. It is even used for cerebral palsy patients to prevent the spasms they incur.

From the sounds of it - most of you have to be much younger than me with getting only 23 or so units. (I get double that!) I think if I had started at a younger age, I wouldn't need so much now. Thankfully it works pretty well for me, anyway.

free skin care · Tue May 22, 2012 9:20 pm

I am not attempting to sway anyone in any direction. My opinion stands based on what I experienced and what I have read - if you didn't have the same experience I did, you may not be able to relate, so keep on keeping on what works for you.

BFG

free skin care · Tue May 22, 2012 10:14 pm

Regarding the information on the use of Botox for eye issues Keliu brought that up on another thread quite some time ago. I had not heard of it at that time and had to investigate! My daughter's doctor who is one of the top in his field Wilmer Eye Institute at John's Hopkins Hospital is now using it for these issues!

Sorry the site went wonky on me and I could not add the information in my last post!

free skin care · Tue May 22, 2012 10:15 pm

Thanks DM
I'll see if I can find some pics on google.
BFG I want to hear about all experiences and TY for taking the time to post Smile

free skin care · Wed May 23, 2012 7:55 am

It's not really a matter of agreement/disagreement.

I am simply reporting in on my negative experience with Botox, based on my personal situation. As I said, I will no longer be treated with it anywhere on my face, except possibly for crows feet.

The FDA has a hotline for people to call in who have had these experiences - sagging that lasted for several weeks or months. I think I am going to report it.

I come to this forum hoping people will be honest in their assessments of the treatments and products they use.
It is often tricky here because it doesn't appear that this forum requires posters to disclose any financial interests they may have with respect to the treatments and products they discuss. Over time, however, it does get easier to tell who the consumers are vs. the sellers.

BFG

free skin care · Wed May 23, 2012 11:18 am

DarkMoon wrote:

Botox is also being used to treat many eye problems in children and adults including, blepharospasm (eyelid spasms), spastic entropin (the inward turning of the lower lid), and strabismus (asymmetrical or crooked eyes) in children and adults.

My now 23 year old had surgery for Strabismus (Esotropia one form) at 5 and Botox was not an option at that time.

My husband was part of the original clinic trials in NYC with Dr. Brin ( who now works for Allergen) to use Botox for muscle spasms. That was 21 or 22 years ago. He gets shots twice a year into his voice box. If he didn't he would not be able to speak because his vocal cords would not move. I will say he has the turkey waddle going on underneath his chin but he might of had that as he aged anyway and no his neck does not look wrinkle free. Botox is a godsend for people with his type of disease.

free skin care · Thu May 24, 2012 12:44 pm

DarkMoon wrote:

Tiny wrote:

Kassy_A wrote:

dionie wrote:

Hi there,
I've been trying to read about botox and the more I read the more confused I get.

I would like to know what your view is on the matter.

Are you for it or against it and why?

Not for me.. A poison, is a poison, is a poison, and as far as I know, poison doesn't discriminate.

Anyhoo, that's just my honest feeling, and what's good for me.

Would that apply to anything containing the snake venom as well Confused

! I've seen what those bites do to animals, so I've wondered why were putting it on our faces Shock

LMAO You were reading my mind I was just watching that on a video along with other bizarre beauty treatments! Laughing

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/bizarre-beauty-trends-snake-venom-placenta-15392987

mumbles thats just scary hmm

twins

free skin care · Thu May 24, 2012 12:48 pm

DarkMoon wrote:

Are you channeling me Tiny, or am I channeling you? Bad Grin

I am sure of nothing, but I do hear the music to the twighlight zone playing

free skin care · Thu May 24, 2012 4:03 pm

Keliu wrote:

Kassy_A wrote:

Not for me.. A poison, is a poison, is a poison, and as far as I know, poison doesn't discriminate.

Anyhoo, that's just my honest feeling, and what's good for me.

But Kassy, you smoke cigarettes!!! At least Botox has a proven record of medical safety - and, in the case of cosmetic use, is only used intermittently. Unlike cigarettes which are a proven carcinogenic and are inhaled with regularity.

This reminds me as kids we use to ride our bikes behind the fogger truck!!! Racing to be the one closest to the fume Laughing

eta: not referring to smoking, just being afraid of all and everything now

free skin care · Thu May 24, 2012 5:15 pm

EthelM wrote:

My guess is that the sagging issues become more likely when one overuses Botox, or when one "tops it off" more frequently than need be. As well, I'd suppose that certain areas of injection are more prone to the sag risk than others. Just my sense of it (and two cents of it), though.

We know many celebrities over-use Botox (think Nicole Kidman for example) but she has no signs of sagging. But then, of course, we don't know what else she gets done. But you would think that if sag was a consequence of Botox that they wouldn't be getting so much of it.

free skin care · Fri May 25, 2012 9:32 am

Keliu, I didn't misunderstand you, I was just going off on my own tangent Laughing

Sorry!

I also want to clarify that I'm not entirely sure that the possible adverse effect of too much Botox is sagging, but I do think that immobilizing one set of muscles certainly affects other muscles, and I think that may be a more apt description of the "saggy" effect, rather than true lax skin sag, by definition.

Despite that, I firmly believe that moderation is key, and I think judicious and infrequent use of Botox is probably fine and without much risk of the sag issue.

On another note, I freckle (on the topic of Nicole Kidman) but if I stay out of the sun long enough, the freckles do indeed disappear, without any topical skin lightening product. Nicole is so pale that she likely avoids even a casual ray of light, so I think it's possible and likely that she faded her freckles by simple sun avoidance. Frankly, I think she looked better with a bit of sun and some freckles. Just my opinion, though. Nicole is a beautiful woman, regardless.

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