WTF is... Botox anyway?
You probably know less than you think you do about this stalwart of dewrinklification
So… WTF is it?
It’s an injectable, commonly used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, that paralyses muscles.
How do you pronounce it?
Bow-tox
What’s the point of it? I mean, what does it actually do?
Forget the skincare advertising nonsense, Botox is the only non-surgical treatment that can remove/meaningfully reduce wrinkles.
How does it work?
Jargon version: Intramuscular administration of botulinum toxin acts at the neuromuscular junction to cause muscle paralysis by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine from presynaptic motor neurons
Full article here if you want more of this science shiz.
Layperson version: It blocks nerve signals from reaching the muscles, so they don’t contract or move.
And why would someone want it?
It’s most commonly used to reduce wrinkles on the face.
It can also be used to flip your top lip, slim your face, prevent excess sweating, give you a brow lift and to alleviate migraines and some muscle disorders.
How much is it?
UK - it’s usually priced by area, anything from £150-£1500 depending on how many areas and your injector’s expertise/audacity. For 3 areas (forehead, frown, eyes) around £250-£450 is usual.
US - it’s usually priced per unit, so you pay for exactly the amount they inject. Varies quite significantly by state and subject to the same injector whims. Anything from $400-$1500, with $600-$850 being a reasonable ballpark in a major city.
Does it hurt?
As much as needles in the face hurt.
I find the apples of my cheeks (which are done to prevent eye wrinkles) pretty excruciating, but I’m a sensitive flower.
Has anyone I would have heard of talked about getting it?
Loads.
A lot of these are “I had it done and hated it and now I don’t get it any longer and that’s the reason I’m comfortable talking about it” which sticks in my craw, but we are where we are.
Have I had it?
Yes. Regularly (i.e. every 3-4 months) since 2010 when I started getting forehead and frown. I started getting eyes around 2017, I think1.
Reminder not to get upsold by your injector here:
Would I have it?
Absolutely. I get pretty twitchy when I feel like it’s running out. My notes specifically say “totally frozen'‘. I have a very expressive face and the lower half moves more than enough to compensate for the total lack of movement in the top half 😂
Should you have it?
If lines on your face bother you, Botox will do more to remove them than any amount of skincare.
Subject to doing the proper research, go nuts.
If you’re in the UK, I will implore you once again to only get it administered by a doctor and not your dentist/your mate’s mate who did a 1-day course.
Anything else I think you should know?
As long as you’re going to a reputable expert with whom you are communicating effectively to get Botox done, I would ignore all the horror stories in the Daily Mail2 about looking like a stroke victim.
Preventative Botox is not a thing3.
Most Botox isn’t actually Botox, you’re probably getting a cheaper version called Azzalure (Dysport in the US). It’s a good idea to be informed about what someone is injecting into you, so feel free to ask, but they’re pretty much interchangeable from an efficacy perspective.
It takes about 2-3 weeks for it to take full effect. Bear this in mind if you’re planning to get it for an event.
Reminder that any cosmetic work undertaken should be in accordance with The 6 rules of cosmetic work. Here they are, in case you missed them the first time…
The amount I have spent on Botox cumulatively is staggering. I regret nothing.
Which I would encourage you not to read in any case
Great, informative article!
There's still so much stigma around Botox: "omg why would you do that to yourself?!" *shock*
One conversation that really stuck with me was with a rocker girl telling me how terrible & superficial it is that I get Botox injections, that she doesn't understand why people do it, etc..
Later that day it occurred to me: she's flashing her many, many tattoos - what's the big difference? Some people like to ink their skin, some people want to freeze it! She was probably just jealous, anyway. I love how I look!
For anyone considering Botox injections. definitely keep Point #3 under "Anything else I think you should know?" in mind.
"Most Botox isn’t actually Botox, you’re probably getting a cheaper version called Azzalure (Dysport in the US). It’s a good idea to be informed about what someone is injecting into you, so feel free to ask, but they’re pretty much interchangeable from an efficacy perspective."
I've had injections using the product Bocouture (I believe it is called Xeomin in the USA) & found the results to be very ineffective & short-lived. I recently tried Azzalure & the results were just OK. Both times I went on follow-up appointments, so make sure you are clear with your expectations when going on a consultation.
Sorry for the long comment - but I really wanted to add:
If you're not ready for injections, I totally swear by Astaxanthin supplementation. It's a powerful antioxidant available to purchase online. I worked my way up from 4mg > 8mg > 16mg over the course of 4 months & my skin has never looked or felt better. It does take a couple of months to really notice the effects, but once it kicks in, you'll look in the mirror one day & think OMG!
Here's a study if you're interested in knowing more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946307/
"Research shows that it is one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature. Astaxanthin's ability to fight free radicals is 6000 times greater than vitamin C, 550 times than vitamin E and 40 times than beta-carotene. "
I like Cindy Crawford’s comment about essentially trying to find her happy place between looking your best and looking scary. That how I’m trying to navigate ageing and appearance and it’s going ok so far 🤞 I just don’t want to cross that line without realising it. I need a friend who will say step away from the procedures (writes the girl fresh off a nano laser peel where the recovery was AWFUL but the results are DIVINE and I thought I’d never get it done again but ….. 🤷♀️🥹)