Botox is something I've considered for awhile, but it wasn't until a year ago that I decided to try it.
I'm not going to claim that fillers/injectables should be taken lightly, or that my experience will be yours. Everyone is different. If you're serious about trying it, I recommend doing as much research as possible. You can even go in for a consultation to make sure your doctor is reputable and that you feel comfortable. I cannot stress enough how personal this choice is. There will always be risks involved and you have to weigh the pros and cons. There will also be people that may judge you, although I prefer to be open and honest about mine because I wanted this for myself. What's the point in hiding it? Fear of judgement is not helpful to anyone, and since I have this platform, I would feel phony not discussing it with you. Some women (and men) do hide it, and that's fine. To each their own.
I can only speak to my experience, why I decided to do it, and why I wish it wasn't still taboo.
I decided I wanted botox in between my eyebrows while I was sitting at a restaurant and an older gentleman handed me some advil because he said I looked like I had a headache. Bizarre yes, but it reaffirmed what I had noticed for a long time. I have a bad habit of squinting and frowning, and although my astigmatism is partly to blame, I also just have that nervous tension in my forehead. It's true that worrying ages you! I especially began noticing the frown lines while I was doing my nightly skincare routine, and as much as I wanted a miracle with the products I use, there is no such thing as a magic cream. I knew that if I really wanted to see results, I would have to go by way of injections.
I did a ton of research on the internet, asked acquaintances who have had botox before, and finally settled on a med spa in Carmel Valley. My best friend went with me for the first time as moral support. I was terrified. I didn't want to look unnatural, just refreshed. I was also concerned that it would be painful. Fortunately, my doctor is amazing and is very conservative with her injections. She explained everything step by step as she went along. First came the mini ice pack that I held to the injection site. She had me frown as I normally do, and then went in with the needle. "Wait, was that it?" Before I knew it, the procedure was over and she smiled at me saying that most of her clients come in with the notion that getting botox will be painful or invasive...it's not. Listen, I'm a baby and have a low threshold but even I think it feels like a pin prick that only lasts seconds! She had me hold the ice pack to my forehead for a few minutes and instructed me not to lie down for a couple hours because the botox can migrate. She gave me a list of side effects that I should look out for, but luckily I haven't had any issues.
I have done this four times and I am really happy with the results. My frown lines are smoother and lessened, but I don't look like I've gone off the rails.
All this being said, I can no longer continue to get botox because I want to start a family and no reasonable doctor would perform this, even if you are simply trying. I plan on doing it again in the future because the results are worth it. Doctors recommend getting botox every three months for maintenance, otherwise the lines will come back. For me, that's the only downside. I have never had anything else done to my face nor to my body, but I really wish it wasn't such a hush-hush topic. Why is it still taboo? It's admittedly more common these days and it's also safer but as I stated before, there are always going to be risks. My rule of thumb is that if you do it for yourself and nobody else, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I feel very comfortable with my decision, and it has allowed me to feel more confident. That's reason enough for me to do it again once I am able to.
If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to ask! Happy Monday.
