If Botox Still Scares You, Read This

I got my Botox education in Elementary School and in little league.

Nearly 15 years ago, when my youngest son was in the first grade, the mom of one of his classmates, a doctor who practiced cosmetic procedures, gave me my first introduction to Botox. At the time, I had been considering getting Botox for my elevens (the vertical wrinkles between my brows) but I didn’t know anyone who had had it done and had concerns about it making me look “done.”

My doctor-mom-acquaintance patiently answered all my questions and soothed all my fears even demonstrating with her own face that movement was still possible with Botox. She convinced me to give it a try and promised to be light-handed.

That’s how I came to my first-ever Botox treatment. This doctor is still on my injector rotation (I have a system).

When my oldest son was in little league, another doctor-mom (a dermatologist) added to my schooling after I repeatedly invaded her personal space under her sun-protective device (umbrella), and bombarded her with questions and concerns about not only Botox but fillers as well.

Fast forward to present-day and I still annoy her with questions during my visits to her practice. She pokes; I prod.

And finally, another doctor-mom who I got to know from our days in the school PTA completed this holy trinity of cosmetic treatment education. I go to her for lasers.

These doctor moms were (and still are) my teachers. Each one of them taught me something new, and I was lucky to have them as trusted sources of information. I asked questions, I got informed, I went with qualified injectors, and I’ve never had a problem.

I know most women don’t have this A-team at their disposal which is probably why many of you are still a little hesitant to go under the needle.

I get it: the wrinkles you know are better than the botulinum poison you don’t know.

So I wanted to come on here today to bring as much information to you as possible so that you can make a decision based on facts and not fear.

Now, I’m not telling you what you can or can’t do with your wrinkles; you’ve earned them and you have the right to do with them what you please. You can exfoliate them, smooth them, freeze them or cut them – or you can leave them to tell the story of every worry, belly laugh, magical boozy night, and glorious sun-baked days of your past.

Your face; your choice.

But if you really hate your crinkly forehead or the crows that have left an imprint on the side of your youthful eyes; if the reason you’re not yet jumping in the Bo-wagon is that you are worried something will go wrong or you’ll look like Ms. Freeze, then consider this another attempt on my part to motivate (persuade, coerce, cajole) you to give it a try.

Because when it comes to Botox, I’m a pusher…I will peer-pressure you until you try it once just to shut me up and then shortly after (4 days to a week when the results kick in) to hear those three ego-satisfying words: You were right.

You’re welcome. In advance.

But seriously, there is little to lose (except hard-earned money) and so much to gain from this miracle treatment.

I’ve written three posts about Botox, and will probably continue to do so, just to spread the word. Why? Because of how it will make you feel. Notice I say “feel” and not look. One of the unexpected results of Botox (and other cosmetic treatments) is the confidence you will gain, the relief when you look in the mirror and see a fresher and slightly younger face. A light may go on inside of you…a light that has been dimmed with the passing of time and the changes it has etched on your face.

I’m telling you this because my own light had been dimmed and I didn’t even know it until I saw my face after Botox. When I was no longer focused on the wrinkles that were starting to appear on my face, I was able to see clearly into the young woman that still resides inside of me.

I’ve never looked back.

You see, when an older version of you is staring you in the face, all of a sudden, you can’t train your eyes to see beyond the filter of an aging face. I don’t think I have to tell you this.

Botox has the potential to remove that filter. And this is the view I invite you into — the view of that young woman that still resides behind it. She’s still in there.

So I’d like to leave you with one question today:

If not now, when?

What are you waiting for? Time goes by fast and life will continue to carve at your face. If you address the issues that bother you NOW you may find that you will be motivated to take better care of the rest of you NOW.

You may perhaps be motivated to exercise more so that your body can keep up with your new younger face.

You may even start to nourish your skin with healthy foods to give your new wrinkle-less face a glow.

You may be inspired to shop for younger, more flattering clothes now that your face looks a little younger, and your body is starting to lose a few pounds and tone up.

And you may (absolutely, without a question) start to think and act younger as a result of your external rejuvenation efforts.

Why is that?

Because Botox is a gateway drug, Chickie.

It’s a catalyst for youth. It sets youthful pursuits in motion, and before you know it, you are living a youthful lifestyle and you will wonder what the hell took you so long and why-didn’t-anyone-tell-me-Botox-was-so-life-changing?

Well, I’m telling you!

xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to read more about the history of Botox, read this.  To get the answers to the most common questions, read this post.

 

 

 

 

 

♥ I’ve seen bad Botoxed faces: We all have. But keep in mind that those cases are small in comparison to the many cases where Botox is done properly. And those are rarely noticed, and that’s the point. If you go to someone who is trained and practiced in the art (and its an art), the result will be subtle, natural-looking and imperceivable. You will look fresh, rested, less angry, with eyes that appear a little more open and eyebrows that are a little more lifted but not like like you’re a Vulcan.

Keep in mind, that those frozen foreheads and eyebrows that look like you’re auditioning for the next Star Treck movie are a result of bad practitioners or people who have some form of dysmorphia (I know some). Some women don’t want any forehead movement at all. But that is not the norm and that doesn’t have to be you.

♥ I’ve heard of women getting droopy eyes from Botox: This is why: in rare cases, the product will migrate which is why doctors will tell you (if they don’t tell you this, run) not to bend your head, lie down, or massage the area for 4 hours after the procedure to avoid the product moving to other places and causing other muscles to relax. I’ve been told not to do cardio after the procedure for this same reason, although, in the past, I have and nothing has happened.

Another reason this could happen is if an unqualified injector unknowingly used too much product in the —–

If you go to someone who knows what they are doing, you shouldn’t have any problems at all. I never have. And remember, Botox is not permanent. It wears off after about 4 months.

What you should discuss with your injector:

Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Most likely, the person performing the procedure will be more than happy to ease your fears. If you don’t know what to discuss, here are some suggestions:

♥ Tell and show her your concerns. What wrinkles bother you the most, what fears you have about the procedure, and what you don’t want.

♥ Discuss the differences between Botox and Dysport and which one would be a better choice for you and your needs.

♥

I hope this helps you make better sense of what Botox does and who it can help you. I’d love to hear your experience with this wonder rejuvenator.

xoxo