Could Botox help?Now that I've reached my 30s, more and more of my friends and acquaintances are turning to Botox.
It's not something that's discussed very often among the women I know. But a few of my very good friends have started getting injections, and I've heard that women are even holding Botox parties in my neighborhood, where all the attendees get their fix at once.
The truth is that my friends who've gotten Botox look ...
FANTASTIC.
I mean, I'm not advocating Botox here, I'm just speaking the truth. Their 30-something-year-old faces are smooth and unlined and I may be just a little bit envious. And honestly, as long as it's safe, I don't have a problem with it. It seems like a far more cost-effective way to get some of the effects of a face-lift. It's just ...
Botox!
The very word scares me!
So I went in search of some facts on the product. At Oprah.com, Dr. Arthur Perry has this Botox advice:
- Botox should only be administered by a highly trained physician and is available only by prescription.
- Some side effects following a Botox injection may include temporary eyelid droop, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising.
- Botox injections last between two to six months. A typical repeat patient will receive three treatments per year.
I found this interesting because it seems like every spa here in town is offering Botox treatments now (not to mention those crazy Botox parties) and I'm pretty sure that "highly trained physicians" aren't populating all of these Botox-offering locations.
Also, TEMPORARY EYELID DROOP?! Can you imagine?!
Still, I know a lot of women are doing it these days, whether they admit to it or not.
So now I want to know -- what do you think of Botox? Have you tried it? Are your friends getting injections? Spill!
Image via Charles WIlliams/Flickr
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Comments 14
you realize botox is "botulinum toxin" which is the same thing as botulism and is one of the most toxic substances. So no, I would never inject it into my body on purpose, espeically to stop the effects of natural aging. I always respected my grandmother more than anyone else, no reason I shouldn't one day look like her with pride.
The 30's sound awfully young for botox. Did you spend a lot of time in the sun previously or is a genetic thing?
I don't think I'll ever do it. I've always been careful to prevent the signs of aging--always use sunscreen, don't smoke, don't get too thin, have a positive attitude, etc. So at 50, I have fewer wrinkles than many women in their 30's. I don't want to start something that I'll have to have redone every few months. I'm also not ashamed of being 50--in fact I'm proud of it!
I think I'd only consider it if I needed to find a new job. There's so much ageism in the workplace nowadays, it might be easier if I looked younger.
It's poison!! Seriously. Toxic poison. In this day and age when it's so damn trendy to use all green products to protect yourselves from harmful chemicals, people are still injecting poison into their faces. Idiotic.
I'm 23 so I can't speak for the future because we all know how often and quickly beliefs can change, but right now I believe in the whole 'aging gracefully' idea that if I take care of myself now, eat right, workout and always wear sunscreen that I will just let myself age naturally and not worry about it.
Besides the whole idea of looking like dolly parton and never being able to smile again scares me.
No. I'm a high school counsellor and I don't want to perpetuate the idea that youth means beauty...or that beauty is as important as society seems to make it. I use sunscreen all the time and tell the kids on my field hockey team to use it, I eat well and workout (not as much as I ought to, but still try). I'm a big fan of aging naturally and love seeing people who look the way they are meant to. And no, none of my friends use Botox either.
I don't know anyone who gets Botox done. I would not consider getting it done on myself. I am (I think anyway) fairly low maintenance, and something that has to be re-done every couple of months is not worth it to me. That includes hair and nails! I will do it myself if I really want it done.
For some of us, feeling better about our appearance, looking in the mirror and seeing ourselves as we looked a few years ago, is extremely empowering and energizing.
My recommendation is that you make a decision for yourself based on your personal values and needs.
I would like to try it