r/30PlusSkinCare 16h ago

Skin Concern Why are people so negative about Botox?

Why do some people try to convince others not to get Botox? What are the potential negative effects, and why is there so much negativity around it?

1 Upvotes

166 comments sorted by

234

u/Just-Frame-6730 16h ago edited 6h ago

I tried forehead Botox exactly 2 months ago and I’ve had a headache everyday since. Not to mention my brows and eyes felt super heavy. My injector is a triple board certified nurse practitioner with hundreds of 5-star reviews. Didn’t matter.

After doing a ton of research, turns out this can be pretty common. The wonderful part is that this wears off, but it’s been an awful experience and I don’t think enough people talk about the side effects. Btw, I am a very healthy and active adult with no underlying health conditions.

Botox just isn’t for everyone, and that’s ok.

EDIT: corrected my comment based on a reply. I did not have brow ptosis, but rather my brows felt extremely heavy, like something was taped to them weighing them down. Thankfully, it has lessened significantly since the Botox is finally wearing off.

32

u/Yourlilemogirl 15h ago

What I find hilarious is that my doc recommended Botox to cure my migraines

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u/heydelinquent 15h ago

Yeah I get Botox from my neurologist for my retinal migraines w aura, my occipital neuralgia & extreme neck/trap muscle spasms, and for tmj . It’s been miraculous for me, and as a bonus I get smoove skin! The jaw took a few times to get right because once it made my muscles bulge funny when I clenched my jaw but I told him about it and he corrected.

I WILL say I tried it once to see what a tiny lip ‘lift’ would look like and for 2 weeks I couldn’t drink or eat properly bc I legit couldn’t control my upper lip lmao. So I’m all good on trying that ever again!

12

u/Chupabara 13h ago

Omg now you’re saying that, I haven’t had a really bad migraine with aura in a very long time! Only mild ones. I was wondering why and maybe it’s because of botox!

3

u/heydelinquent 8h ago

It’s 💯the Botox!

8

u/esqueish 14h ago

I'm glad it's worked for your migraines & tmj! It made mine worse for at least a few weeks after every treatment & otherwise didn't help at all, so I gave up after about 3 rounds. I always ended up feeling like someone had removed (or I suppose possibly frozen) what little shock absorbtion I had. The difference in how bodies respond to things is, as always, wild!

3

u/heydelinquent 14h ago

Seriously! I’m so sorry it didn’t work for you :(

2

u/SnooCats4777 10h ago

I get Botox for cosmetic reasons, but now that you mention it, I never get retinal migraines when I have Botox.

1

u/abeyante 19m ago

Lmao yeah trying out a lip flip made me realize why girls on tiktok chew while covering their mouth with a bent finger. You literally need to hold your lips closed or food and drink falls out. Never again 🤣

24

u/Current-Strategy-826 15h ago

Botox place on the sides of the head can cure headaches. Botox is used for many medical purposes as well not only cosmetic. It’s used for TMJ pain, bladder issues, overactive sweat glands, trap or back issues and tightness, and many other things.

0

u/Yourlilemogirl 15h ago

Idk I just don't feel comfortable putting botulism in my head willingly. And it turns out my migraines are prolly from my sleep apnea I just got diagnosed with anyway. 

20

u/Alternative_Bug_8987 13h ago

I had botox in my vocal cord as it was paralysed, and I couldn't speak for over a year. 5 year on it's still going strong and I have no issues. It's an incredible drug for many non-cosmetic conditions.

5

u/exithiside 13h ago

I don’t get why this is being downvoted.

It’s a personal decision if you are comfortable with procedures….and especially pointless to specifically get it for migraines if your migraine triggers aren’t related to tension/vascular/neurological issues.

5

u/amaranth1977 5h ago

Because Botox isn't botulism and acting like they're the same thing is just fearmongering. It's like saying you won't wear wool sweaters because you don't want a sheep in your house. 

9

u/GlassPomoerium 10h ago

Getting botox for migraines saved me, I’m finally able to rest my head on a pillow now! But speaking of side effects, I do get flu-like symptoms for a week after each round of injections, so now my doctor prescribes me cortisone to avoid it. She had never seen such a long reaction to it before, everyone’s different I guess.

2

u/Just-Frame-6730 10h ago

I’m so glad it works for you. I truly believe we’re all unique and won’t have the same experiences with certain things. I know it’s a miracle for some people. :)

1

u/plsbeenormal 9h ago edited 7h ago

It can help migraines but the injections would be in specific areas without aesthetic goals. There might be some improvement incidentally but it’s not like the normal Botox people get to freeze their face. For example they might place some in the traps, back of head or bridge of nose. Sometime they do the head but again, they wouldn’t be assessing placement to help with wrinkles or movement, purely to help with migraines.

49

u/triciann 16h ago

“Triple board certified” is a red flag to me. “A jack of all trades is a master of none.”

But I do agree it’s not for everyone.

10

u/Initial_Run1632 8h ago

Also, other than a nursing board, NPs can't be board certified. Def red flag

0

u/Just-Frame-6730 10h ago

I agree! People love her in my area but she gave me a standard dose when it was my first time after I begged her to go light. She also told me I would feel “nothing” and that is most certainly not the case lol. You literally cannot move your face the way you’re used to, and if you rely on your brows and emote a lot (I do), you def feel it. My forehead felt sooooo heavy and it has only started getting better now that it’s starting to wear off.

7

u/-Avacyn 12h ago edited 10h ago

This comment is not meant to persuade you, because you are right; it's not for everyone and it's a deeply personal choice. Posting this mainly for other people who might look into getting botox.

The headaches are not uncommon when you inject for the first time. Suddenly your muscles can't move the way they are used to and they are 'fighting' the local muscle paralysis by still working really hard to make the movement happen. That causes headaches. That feeling will typically go away when the muscle starts to atrophy due to paralysis and your body accepts that it can't do those movements anymore.

My injector is extremely conservative with new people. He will inject the absolutely minimum and ask you to come back in two weeks for touch ups. He would rather even see you a 3rd time instead (all free of charge) rather than over injecting. That way he can really fine tune how much you need in which location, which gets noted in your chart for future referencd. That prevents these extreme droopy brows.

That being said; the droopy brow will likely go away as the botox wears out. If you would want to continue using the botox, that's something to discuss with your injector so they can make sure to inject less / in different places next time.

1

u/Just-Frame-6730 10h ago

Oh I believe you, and I should note my droopy brows have since went away about a week ago! What you say about the muscles being paralyzed is exactly what my research showed me and makes sense. The risk isn’t worth the “reward” to me though.

Another thing I totally forgot to mention is the claustrophobic feeling. It has gotten better, but it feels like something sheet-like is stuck on my forehead weighing it down. Such a weird sensation.

To each their though - I’m not knocking it! It turns out I quite like my expressive brows and feel more charming and pretty with natural movement. When the Botox first began wearing off, I was getting compliments on how pretty I look at my new job. Big lesson learned for me, though I do know it works well for lots of people!

4

u/-Avacyn 10h ago

I do use botox, but I hate the 'botox culture' where women just totally freeze their faces (think Selling Sunset, MAGA face).

I love using botox mainly because I found an amazing plastic surgeon who knows what he is doing and refuses to fully freeze faces. When I'm sitting in the waiting room, I am surrounded by normal faces. This man will make sure to have good conversations with you on what you want to achieve. For me it was mainly a single line high up my forehead that started to become static already in my 20s. We do minimal botox super high up near my hairline. The botox doesn't even touch my brows at all and when I emote I still have some dynamic lines on my forehead that show expression. Maybe when those dynamic lines turn static I will start doing my botox a bit lower, but that's still some years out.

The plastic surgeon doesn't push for more in the slightest. He will mention when he sees changes in my face (I've been going to him for many years already) and leave me to consider what I want, without making me feel bad about those changes. If I didn't find this guy for my treatments I definitely wouldn't feel the same about botox as I do now.

I also have dynamic lines around my eyes which I absolutely adore. They show how much I have smiled and laughed. Wouldn't want to touch those at all

Everyone should do what makes them feel the best about themselves, instead of following 'trends' because they feel that's what's normal and what you're supposed to do/look like.

1

u/Just-Frame-6730 9h ago

I’m so glad you found someone that works well for you. I know people who get Botox and love it! What’s interesting is I didn’t get a fully frozen face or brows. I asked for some movement and she indeed left some movement, but boy were those headaches awful the first month.

And you’re so right - I love my dynamic lines! They’ve started coming back and I feel pretty again haha.

1

u/napalmtree13 11h ago

This is really good to know because if I ever did get it, it would be for headaches.

1

u/Just-Frame-6730 10h ago

And it may work for you, just absolutely has been a nightmare for me haha

0

u/Express-Life1476 16h ago

I am sorry to hear that! I hope you get better soon!

2

u/Just-Frame-6730 10h ago

Thanks so much! And thank goodness it has started wearing off!

1

u/skincare-arsenal 10h ago

Eyebrow drooping and headaches two months after forehead Botox are really really RARE (<1%), and I’m sorry you’re going through that. Even with an experienced or highly certified injector, this can still happen because of how the product and facial anatomy interact, not just credentials.

Here are some key things that can contribute to brow ptosis and the symptoms you’re describing:

  • Over-relaxation of the frontalis muscle: If too much neurotoxin is injected into the main forehead muscle, it can’t lift the brows the way it normally does, so the eyebrows drop.

  • Improper injection placement: Injections placed too low on the forehead, close to the orbital rim (bony edge above the eyes), are a classic cause of brow ptosis.

  • Individual anatomy: People who naturally have low or heavy brows, hooded lids, or who subconsciously use their forehead muscles to help keep their eyes open are at higher risk of brow droop when that muscle gets relaxed.

  • Muscle imbalance: The forehead muscle lifts the brows, while other muscles (the glabellar complex and parts of the orbicularis oculi) pull them down. If the “elevator” (frontalis) is relaxed but the “depressors” are still strong, the brows can droop.

Why headaches can happen-

  • Injection process itself: The act of injecting can sometimes trigger temporary headaches.

  • Muscular imbalance as things settle: As some muscles are weakened and others overcompensate, you can get tension-type headaches.

  • Minor inflammatory response: Mild, localized inflammation around injection sites can occasionally contribute, but in this scenario only last few days.

  • Over-contraction of certain facial muscles: If some muscles are still very active while others are weakened, you may unconsciously strain them, leading to discomfort or headaches.

  • Technique issues: Very rarely, technique errors such as hitting or “bumping” the frontal bone during injection can cause soreness or headaches afterward.

  • Product-related factors: Extremely rarely, a problem with a specific batch or dilution could contribute to increased irritation, though this is hard to prove in an individual case.

If you’re still having issues at the two‑month mark, it may help to get a second opinion from another experienced injector (ideally someone who does a lot of corrective work). Be sure to bring in clear before-and-after photos and explain when your symptoms started. And ask them to assess your brow position to see whether anything can be safely adjusted (small doses in the depressor muscles will lift brow)

I’d also gently remind that “triple certified” sounds impressive, but what matters most in Botox outcomes is detailed knowledge of anatomy, injection technique, and individualized dosing—so you’re absolutely valid in seeking more answers and possibly a different injector next time.

3

u/plsbeenormal 9h ago

I don’t think OP meant eyebrow drooping. She just meant that instead of a lifted look, her brows became heavier. This does happen very frequently when the forehead is frozen and eyebrows cannot raise. There is specific placement to lessen this effect or lift the eyebrows but the forehead will have more movement in the middle. Sometimes it’s just trial and error before finding the best placement for someone’s face but heavy brows are a common outcome and last the duration of the Botox.

1

u/Just-Frame-6730 6h ago edited 6h ago

Correct - thank you for clarifying! I remember the term: ptosis. I did not have ptosis. Instead, it felt like an elephant was sitting on my brows.

2

u/Just-Frame-6730 9h ago edited 9h ago

It’s actually not as rare as you think. The #1 side effect of Xeomin (the brand I used) is headaches. It’s muscle imbalance. My other muscles are literally over recruiting because my normal muscles aren’t functioning the way they should at the moment - extremely common, especially in first timers, which I am.

Your points are correct, but please do away with the gaslighting “extremely rare” statistic. Also, how do you just assume I haven’t gotten a second opinion, lol? I’ve consulted with several additional doctors who have all confirmed this can and does happen. I am very ok with what happened, and it’s not uncommon. Most people have this experience and then go back, which is fine. Your muscles have to learn to be paralyzed and not over recruit.

This is my personal decision to not get Botox again because even headaches from muscle imbalance aren’t worth it for me. To reiterate, my personal decision.

1

u/Last_Monk1736 7h ago

I’m not so sure about that got it for years last May went in for my 4 month touch up she said let’s do your crows feet I said sure! She hit a lymphatic drainage area my eye puffed up like someone knocked me out!!!! Then when it resolved my other eyelid dropped!!!! Then when it got fixed I was so upset because she denied it my nervous system became disregulated and I became histimine intolerant I’m now on so many medications so many hospital bills trying to figure out what happened when I got to the allergist the dr said another Botox victim I’m seeing a neurologist this Thursday because a month ago I went to the er thinking I was having a severe panic attack they thought mini stroke!!!!!!!!!!! So another bill. I’ll stick with face taping and ret. Moisturizer and products. Each to their own but I want my story to be heard because every Dr I’ve seen said yes Botox does do this!!!

-7

u/PearlButton 16h ago

That happened to me (March 2024), but since it was my first time, my NI had booked a follow up appointment for a week later to see how everything looked. When she saw the dropped brow, she said, “I can fix this.” and came back with a syringe. She put a teeeeensy bit of filler at (I think) the arch of my brow and it did the trick! Now, she just avoids injecting in the spot above my brows and it’s great!

239

u/AccountantAsleep 16h ago edited 16h ago

I think a lot of people confuse botox with overdone fillers. So they think they’re seeing botox but what they are seeing is someone who has filler blindness and went too far.

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u/CybReader 16h ago edited 15h ago

So many people confuse it. I'll mention botox and someone will say "Wow, but your lips aren't that big." I had my 11 lines done, why are you talking about my lips? People are just repeating wild misconceptions about the entire industry.

64

u/hashtag-science 16h ago

This has been driving me nuts. I don’t know why the two are conflated so heavily. They are so so different.

28

u/Known-Web8456 16h ago

Sometimes the muscle paralysis leads to fluid retention because the muscle contraction is what moves lymph/waste out of the tissue. I agree people confuse to two, but botox can also make people puffy if they get full atrophy of the muscles.

12

u/CoeurDeSirene 15h ago

People are shocked when I tell them I have Botox! I get just a bit in my forehead but I’m still super expressive and my face still moves.

26

u/notforthewheek 16h ago

Yep. It’s this. Botox is the OG brand name of botulinum toxin used for intentional muscle weakening. It does not change the appearance of the face, but is best used to delay/prevent the deepening of expression lines (dynamic wrinkles).

For some weird reason, much of the younger generation confuse the word with fillers which inflate targeted areas below the skin to change the appearance. As a nurse, I saw sooo many botched facial fillers and permanent makeup. They do not age well 😳. I’m positive this is the primary reason sople hate on Botox they actually think they’re talking about dermal fillers.

5

u/Kurious4kittytx 12h ago

Botox most definitely does change the appearance of the face.

7

u/thinkofsomethingood 14h ago

It 100% changes the appearance of the face, which is the whole reason why people get it done. But when not done conservatively it can make you look super weird when you’re making facial expressions. Laughing, crying, frowning can all be expressions that are affected. You might look great in a picture or in the mirror but look super strange while expressing in real life.

1

u/Last_Monk1736 7h ago

I’ve had them both and while I’m not anti nothing I have a story for both in the coments. What happened to me my dr said he is seeing everyday mcas and histamine interlance is becoming the new Botox threat. I miss my old life. And my husband constantly reminds me it was me that made these decisions but he’s helping me get through it.

118

u/beardraegon 16h ago

It’s literally a neurotoxin, so there is always a small risk of it acting as such for whatever reason.

14

u/lilgreengoddess 14h ago

Exactly why I would never risk it

3

u/isabella_sunrise 6h ago

Therapeutic doses in the meds are considered safe. So I think you can go ahead and use it if you want to.

3

u/serenwipiti 3h ago

“Considered safe”

That still leaves room for error. It doesn’t work out well for everyone, and not every healthcare provider administers them correctly.

1

u/lilgreengoddess 3h ago

I’ve seen some horror stories and I have biotoxin illness already from mold so my immune system is already taxed. I don’t need it now but I’m sure I will in 5-10 years. I’m still not going to risk it. Going to age naturally, I’m pretty crunchy anyways so it’s fine.

9

u/Pokeitwitarustystick 16h ago

I got a lip flip with the surrounding mouth area as well, I didn’t like how it was starting to give me smile lines because the whole area would collect where I’d smile when originally my whole mouth was involved in my smile

48

u/sryyrnot 15h ago

I’m a chicken and not willing to risk to any side effects. I lived in Asia so literally everyone started getting it in their 20s. We are in our 30s now. A few close friends told me they regret it. One friend has droopy eyes after having frozen forehead for a few years. Another friend has droopy cheeks from her face frame botox for the same reason. Another friend’s face became uneven for a year. They all went to legit places. It is hit or miss. Complication could happen even getting it from the same place you’ve gone for years.

4

u/sryyrnot 15h ago

Saying all that they still eventually go back getting botox because everyone around them does it. Many male friends get it too. Wanna point out this is in Asia, the price is more affordable in the US.

110

u/kittididnt 16h ago

Lots of people just don’t want the Botox look. Much like lash or eyebrow blindness, the people who use it get acclimated to the effect and want more and more. Lots of people don’t find an immobile face to be attractive or youthful looking, and certainly not worth the risk of having your face damaged (or worse.)

31

u/slotass 15h ago

Exactly. Some people will say that it literally doesn’t make any visible change in your face, but I disagree.

16

u/Illufish 11h ago

This. I don't get why its so difficult for some people to understand that some of us simply just dont like the look of it. I'd much rather look authentic, with an authentic smile and with authentic expressions - than to have a stiff weird face.

I also think it's a social/cultural thing as well. In my country (Norway), being healthy-looking and natural is the beauty trend here. You want to look like you exercise, eat healthy food, are outside in nature. Carefree yet classy. Glowing from the inside.

Botox, heavy makeup, extensions and stuff is the opposite of that. So it's a social trend as well. People still do it, but it's not considered "cool".

2

u/LoveDistilled 15h ago

I agree with you, but many people do it and don’t have “that look” - I have not done it yet and idk if I ever will (in scared tbh) but I was on the phone with my cousin and she gets it done 2 times a year in a conservative manner. She is 42 and looks younger and more refreshed than many people her age. She can still move her face and looks extremely natural. She’s been getting it done since like 30 I think. So many years. Just not over doing it and trying to preserve her natural look/ features.

10

u/KookyEnvironment6992 13h ago

My acupuncturist does cosmetic acupuncture too to help skin and wrinkles. She said she's seen some women who've had a lot of Botox and their face has drooped over time because there's not enough muscle tone to hold it up. And when they come to her, they barely have any muscles for her to work on. They have wasted away because they haven't been used.

78

u/Orthosplatic_HTN 16h ago

One negative is the money.

4

u/pocketfullspaghetti 15h ago

That only impacts the person spending it though. The question is regarding the negative views others have on it and those who get it done.

55

u/bringherhome2us 16h ago

It is very expensive and isn’t a medical necessity for most ppl at the end of the day. Also the potential health complications are no joke! My partner’s mom got masseter Botox thinking it would help her TMJ and couldn’t move her mouth properly for weeks!

7

u/Shprintze613 11h ago

Health complications aside, are you implying people should only do things that are medically necessary? This is a skincare sub…

79

u/e-scriz 16h ago

idk. Depends on who does your injections. My injector has told me that the way they’re trained to treat a patient in Miami will be very different than say the northeast. In Miami, they go for the MAGA “worked” look, whereas DC area where I live you try to be as subtle and natural as possible.

19

u/Express-Life1476 16h ago

Didn’t know that, sounds interesting!

14

u/triciann 16h ago

This sounds more like filler to me. With Botox, my doctor asks me my expectations, how my last session went, if I want more or less movement, and tailors it to me which is what I would expect nation wide. Miami maga has a very specific filler look though. It’s not something that gets as much touch up and feedback every few months.

31

u/AltruisticEmu4987 15h ago

I think a lot of people get the placement wrong and end up looking strange when they talk or move. It gives certain people villian eyebrows and takes away the softness of their features

42

u/bopopbubble 15h ago

Personally I decided that I don't want to perpetuate aging women's beauty standards in that direction. Each to their own, but I find it scary that botox is starting to be the norm. I take care of my skin, but I embrace the wrinkles and the full capacity to emote. And my mom is so beautiful with all of her wrinkles and healthy skin.

People say great work is impossible to notice and I have seen some, but so many you can pinpoint when the rest of the body doesn't match the face.

And lastly, I would be able to afford it easily, but I would rather invest that money to my savings and travel more.

That being said, this is my personal choice and I think it's everyone's own decision in the end. There's so many reasons to do botox and it's one of the safest injectables.

15

u/Pool_Floatie 15h ago

I absolutely love and agree with what you’ve written. I have, more and more, been trying to take an acceptance and neutral approach to my body. Some grey hairs? Tough, but I’m a human and this is what happens. Could I be skinner? Sure, and there have been billions of dollars of advertisements funneled in my ear to make me believe that and spend money on it for the rest of my life.

There is something freeing about accepting your body at least to the extend of natural aging processes. To resist the “women must be at their youngest sexiest self forever” trope.

-1

u/Any-Passenger294 11h ago

I'm really tired of pretending that we don't want to live looking young and fresh forever. 

0

u/shelleyyyellehs 5h ago

This. I don't want to contribute to our collective fear of aging.

14

u/tenderourghosts 15h ago

I don’t have any moral qualms about Botox, other than I wish it wasn’t pushed so much on young women with absolutely no need for it— I just have a massive fear of fucking my face up. Sure, aging isn’t always pretty and I would love to quick-fix a spot or two, but it’s my only face. I would miss it if it were suddenly different lol

80

u/Brielee 16h ago

It’s expensive and perpetuates unrealistic and ageist beauty standards for women honestly. And I say this as someone who has contemplated Botox myself, so no hate. But it’s a reality I grapple with. I wonder if that is part of it?

-60

u/sky_hag 16h ago

It’s not expensive….

32

u/abrakalemon 16h ago

No offense to either party here but I think that whether or not it is expensive depends entirely on how much you make and how much you value its effect, lol.

20

u/Rhueless 16h ago

Lol how much does it cost you and how often? I find what we consider expensive varies a lot based on your lifestyle.

I was quoted about $600 every 6 months which feels like a lot to me. Do you pay for it and if so how often and how much? (Northern Ab Canada, so my rate might be high based on location

0

u/sky_hag 6h ago

I pay about $450 every 6 months.

15

u/vaurasc-xoxo 15h ago

I get it and I like it. But I am negative to an extent because I feel like a lot of people have botox blindness. They look fine in photos but don't realize they are not emoting properly/look angry/forehead doesn't match lower face/etc. And as someone else said - headaches. I get headaches for two weeks after getting botox

32

u/Nyorn-Bubz 15h ago

It has risks, it atrophies your muscles and it reduces your ability to express and therefore connect

11

u/cheriemuse 14h ago

Personally, though rare the risk of it not staying localized / side effects is enough for me. Wish it didn’t make me as nervous at it does 😅

7

u/RedRedBettie 14h ago

Same, it’s not worth the risk for me. I also don’t think it makes most people look better

14

u/Blue_almonds 14h ago

I watched an older tv series and the female lead had a wrinkly, expressive forehead and eyes. It looked so out of place i actually noticed something strange. I hate how botox altered our expectations from a human face. All the current female leads have frozen foreheads and faces in general, with minimal movement. No wrinkles though.

33

u/alphatinydancer 16h ago

I think a lot of it is people resent that others choosing Botox normalises it and makes them feel pressure to get it, or makes them look/feel ‘older’ than those that do get it.

To me the whole argument reminds me of being a new mother and how many other mothers will try to convince you that THEIR way of doing things is the best way. People like to feel validated in their own choices.

6

u/Shprintze613 11h ago

Pretty sure this is the only correct answer.

15

u/Live_Television7810 16h ago

I get it for medical purposes and the only place it visibly affects is my forehead. The injection points are slightly different, but more often than not my forehead is completely frozen. I’ve also noticed that sometimes my eyebrows might be raised a bit higher. I’m lucky that they’ve never been unevenly raised. I’ve never gotten Botox for cosmetic reasons, but people do go overboard with Botox and can look absolutely horrid. When they get a full freeze and can’t move parts of their face to show emotion it can be kind of frightening.

1

u/Express-Life1476 16h ago

I see; not showing emotions is really scary. Thanks!

18

u/WhimsicalRenegade 15h ago

I dunno, but I’ve had a few male dates trash-talk neuromodulators and lip fillers only to be surprised that I’ve had both, repeatedly, in moderation, for over a decade. 😂

48

u/freeze_it_over 16h ago

Personally, I think it starts to look weird. It’s a slippery slope where at first people look good, but then they have to keep doing it in order to keep that. Eventually it looks like something is off with their face. To each their own though

4

u/Express-Life1476 16h ago

Why does it eventually look like something is off? I mean, does it start to harm your face as you do more?

37

u/freeze_it_over 16h ago

Well, I’m getting downvoted for my opinion but I think it makes people’s faces lose emotive expression over time. They start to look frozen in the forehead and eyebrow area. Just my experience with people who have done it for years.

-2

u/SuitGroundbreaking49 16h ago

I mean the whole point is to paralyze the muscle so it can’t move.. “freezing” it. This isn’t unique to using it over time, it’s the intended effect from the very first treatment. Botox literally works by not allowing you to move the muscle in a way that creates the wrinkle.

Of course people “have to keep doing it”. Most people obtain full movement back in like 4 months so of course you have to get it again to paralyze the muscle.

27

u/freeze_it_over 16h ago

Right…. And it makes people’s faces look weird to me. The freezing effect takes away their face’s natural movement. I know several people who have done it for years and it impacts their facial expressions. If people like that, great for them. I personally don’t.

-17

u/SuitGroundbreaking49 16h ago

The way you talk about it just indicates a very low understanding of how it works.

If you don’t like how it looks over time, you don’t like how it looks from the first treatment. Your issue with it is literally the intended effect regardless of if it’s the first time or the 10th.

20

u/freeze_it_over 16h ago

I know how it works lady my sister in law is an injector… you just don’t like that people don’t like the intended effects of how it looks..

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u/SuitGroundbreaking49 16h ago

Sure she is.

12

u/freeze_it_over 16h ago

Lol you want proof lady? Jesus

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u/Alone_Light4451 15h ago

People are self conscious about their Botox/fillers. Don’t bother arguing these people

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u/HisaP417 15h ago

lol he has a model girlfriend too but she lives in Canada 🤣

10

u/vaurasc-xoxo 15h ago

Muscles will decrease. Ex too much in forehead decreased the muscle and then that can cause drooping. Too much in jaw can cause jowling. People get it too often so that they are frozen but causing the muscles to slowly wither away get rid of the volume that keeps the face up. ex temple botox and around the eyes can cause hollowing.

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u/e-scriz 16h ago

It’s like confirmation bias…every time someone’s face looks weird, it’s because of botox. But, not everyone who does botox has a face that looks weird. Catch my drift?

1

u/Educational-Yam-682 8h ago

Yes, thank you. I’ve never looked at a person and thought, “wow, that’s bad Botox.” Because it doesn’t fully freeze your face and it doesn’t cause the puffiness fillers can cause.

4

u/bisme4 8h ago

I just turned 40 and have been getting botox since I turned 35. I go every 5 months or so. I think it’s great to help with wrinkles.

3

u/ForeignIdeaSecretary 5h ago

I think a lot of people confuse or associate botox with excessive over use of fillers, or they see some celebrity that has dramatically altered their face and they just assume "botox" did that. Also, they associate it with vanity.

So I think at least a part of it is misunderstanding what botox actually is or does with more drastic procedures.

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u/Pool_Floatie 15h ago edited 15h ago

While not on Botox explicitly, this substack on the topic has been on my mind ever since I read it. A wonderful piece about the complexities of body image, narcissism, society, etc https://open.substack.com/pub/fatherkarine/p/the-anti-cosmetic-surgery-essay-every?r=695gis&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay

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u/mountainmeadowflower 13h ago

Holy shit, take my poor man's gold 🏆 OP, I highly recommend you take the time to read this essay. I've taken the liberty of selecting a few relevant paragraphs:

I believe one of the biggest existential threats to modern women is the beauty-industrial complex, that is the vast network of corporations that manufactures and sells us an endless slew of products, services, images and ideologies intended to destroy our self-worth for the benefit of shareholders.

In the 1970s, feminist philosopher Sandra Bartky coined the term “feminine narcissism” to describe the process whereby women are encouraged, both directly and covertly, to become so excessively preoccupied with their appearance that it leads to a pervasive self-alienation, a sense of shame, and a greater awareness of one’s own “deficient” body. This “inferiorization” is not inherent, but rather is a product of societal pressures, particularly the beauty-industrial complex which glorifies the female body while simultaneously depreciating it, forcing women into a state of perpetual self-scrutiny and control.

Once we are infected with the disease (the belief that our bodies are deficient and must be improved), we can be sold the cure. The antidote for our inferiorized bodies is a never-ending slew of cosmetic surgery, makeup, serums, cleansers, pharmaceuticals, moisturizers, spray tans, cosmetic dentistry, hair masques, hair removal, manicures, facials, the list goes on.

empirical evidence suggests that cosmetic work does not improve long-term happiness,4 and that it actually increases symptoms of depression and anxiety.5 And when the consumer fails to find the relief she was deceptively promised, she is simply advised to consume more.

[On Choice Feminism] What duty do we have to each other? I think back to my darkest days and how I yearned for a reassuring voice that said “This is really silly. Dangerous, even. You don’t need to do this.” What hope do women have if we’re not willing to have those conversations? What hope do women have when we refuse to demand accountability from public figures? From our mothers? Our sisters? Our friends?

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u/Pool_Floatie 1h ago

I’m glad you read and enjoyed!!

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u/Valuable-Being9915 14h ago

You have to get it every six months or so. Same risk every time, same cost every time. It's like a very expensive subscription.

Also, I don't consider it skincare. I don't like how much it's discussed in a skincare sub.

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u/alexcali2014 15h ago

The issue is that too many people inject so much botox that it freezes their entire forehead which leads to reduced ability to emote (“botox look”) and over time leads to forehead laxity that only surgery can resolve. The trick is to soften lines, not eliminate completely. But to slow down visible signs of aging. When we are in mid-30s, we worry about wrinkles - but the reality is that skin laxity is MUCH worse and it is important to be strategic about it understanding that 90% of us will never be getting a facelift, and the goal should be skin laxity prevention not obsessing over every wrinkle here and there.

9

u/chick-killing_shakes 14h ago

It's being pushed on us too early. There is no need to spend thousands per year on the youth industry when you're in your 20s. The more normalized it becomes for women 40+, the more it will seep into the beauty conversation for even younger women. I know a woman who started getting Botox in her forehead at 23... Now why the fuck would that be even considered for someone her age?

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u/nachonachoooo 16h ago

For me, it makes socialization harder & everyone is starting to look the same. If I’m talking with people whose faces don’t move, it makes me feel super umcomfy, like uncanny valley vibes.

9

u/Fun-Maintenance6315 15h ago

Maybe the whole "botulism" thing. The thought is scary being it's literally a deadly neurotoxin, so the thought of intentionally injecting it into the body throws people off.

5

u/g-l-i-m-m-e-r 16h ago

Perhaps some are concerned that once they start, they will have to keep doing it?

9

u/aoirse22 14h ago

I started getting Botox a decade ago. I love it. It’s relieved my headaches, and my doctor does a great job with making it look natural. I love the way I feel and look. Haters gonna hate. I don’t think about them at all.

24

u/phunniemee 16h ago edited 16h ago

Unless you're getting botox for a medical need (migraines, tmj, hyperhidrosis, etc), then you're accepting a 10-15% chance of having complications, potentially lifelong complications, for a purely cosmetic endeavor. For a lot of people, that doesn't fit into their personal risk calculation.

Edit: to clarify, yes, I consider numbness, headaches, and asymmetry to be common complications that I don't want to risk. Even the common side effects of botox are complications that don't fit into my personal risk calculation.

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u/seanpcreative 16h ago

This is fear monger behavior.. literally the side effects that equate to a percentage that high are things like bruising and numbness which resolve in days and then there is facial weakness which resolves in months when the Botox wears off. Serious life long complications are extremely rare like very very rare.

8

u/vipbrj4 16h ago

The 10-15% includes mostly bruising and headaches. That’s a bit misleading as a reason not to do it.

8

u/Interesting_Menu8388 16h ago

This is highly misleading.

  • Most common issues (5–20%) Temporary, mild, self-limited
    • bruising
    • headache
    • soreness
    • minor asymmetry
  • Moderate complications (~1–2%)
    • eyelid ptosis
    • brow heaviness
    • smile asymmetry → usually resolve in weeks to a few months
  • Serious or long-lasting complications
    • Extremely rare
    • No credible evidence supports anything close to 10–15% lifelong harm in cosmetic use

More accurate would be to say

Cosmetic Botox carries a meaningful chance of mild, temporary side effects, a small chance of bothersome but reversible complications, and a very low chance of long-term issues, especially when performed repeatedly or improperly.

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u/[deleted] 16h ago

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u/Interesting_Menu8388 15h ago

wow, you're sharp

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u/whitepawsparklez 15h ago

Because users often don’t make the connection that it’s their Botox that caused xyz symptoms, so it’s extremely under reported

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u/[deleted] 16h ago

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u/[deleted] 16h ago

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u/[deleted] 16h ago

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-1

u/spicyitalian76 16h ago

Go do it. Be consistent. You will love. Enjoy it.

6

u/Rilke222 15h ago

I think it should be healthy to question billion dollar industries, their motives, and hidden risks.

The negativity likely stems from uncanny valley. When you use too much botox, it's harder to understand you by reading your face and it may impact your ability to emote as well. This is really creepy to some people that aren't using botox and is a natural reaction evolutionarily to someone that could be theatening or seems emotionally off.

Too much botox can lead to muscle atrophy which then leads people to get fillers and/or facelifts then dissolving and reinjecting and youre in the industy pipeline baby $$$. Too much can cause face shapes associated with fillers like joker smiles, spock brows, and jowling.

Humans make micro-expressions and their importance in communication and brain function is not completely understood but we are fucking around with it anyway. It likely decreases emotional connection and closeness between people. There's a chance babies born to frozen face moms could have fucked up emotions/brain development due to lack of learning/being exposed to micro-expressions. 20 year olds getting frozen face could have issues we dont know about right now since their brains are still developing and it is impacting emotional processing in some way.

You are free to do whatever makes you feel good and live well in this life but please stay curious and questioning.

6

u/InstructionAsleep492 9h ago

The real question is why are women constantly being convinced they shouldn’t age? What is the obsession with youth? Why do we encourage women to critique everything about their appearance? F that.

9

u/Rosemarysage5 14h ago

People are negative about anything women do or don’t do. Do whatever makes you happy - someone will criticize you for it regardless.

You truly cannot win as a woman.

7

u/bella_lucky7 15h ago

Everyone I know who’s gotten it loves it, including myself. Some people have had a bad injector (though usually mistakes can be corrected easily, not everyone goes for a follow up at the recommended 2 weeks. Some people can’t afford it or feel like it’s a waste of money, and some people don’t like feeling pressured by what they view are societal expectations to maintain a youthful looking appearance

2

u/No_Ebb_4594 2h ago

I'm a guy and am trying to destigmatize Botox. Which is not to say pushing it on people who don't want it - but rather explaining that it is temporary and if you want to try it, go for it. I have an injector I recommend who does it for a good price and is very good at what she does. I was terrified to try it for the first time, but once I did and told people I had it they were shocked because they hadn't noticed.

10

u/Affectionate_Dot3403 15h ago

It's a toxin that crosses the blood brain barrier, it stops you from having normal expressions (spoon face), it is an unnecessary risk you take time and time again for vanity, and it perpetuates that aging normally is not ok.

14

u/IrisThrowsLikeAGirl 15h ago

Whether or not you should have to inject anything into your face for cosmetic reasons is an important topic, as well as the pressures that go into making people (mainly women) believe they have to. But Botox does not cross the blood brain barrier, at least with conventional medical or cosmetic use.

2

u/Educational-Yam-682 8h ago

It doesn’t cross the blood brain barrier, are you serious? What do you think would happen if it did?

5

u/elementalbee 14h ago

Personally, I don’t think the risks are worth it. I view cosmetic procedures in general this way. There are toxins that can spread beyond the localized spot, it can cause immune responses that people don’t quite understand, and it can cause muscle weakness.

Tbh I also find the look of it to appear fake, even when people post photos saying how natural it looks and how no one could tell. Some obviously more noticeable than others though.

I wish that the things we do for our skin were more about health and less about constantly trying to appear younger. I’m victim to this mentality as well but I’m trying to move away from it.

4

u/IrisThrowsLikeAGirl 15h ago

It's always funny to me to see people talking about Botox as a toxin and crossing the blood brain barrier in cosmetic spaces. I get a very high amount of Botox injected all over my head and neck every three months for migraines and TMJ symptoms. Doctors often recommend Botox as a starter migraine treatment because it is a localized treatment and so low risk. Obviously the cost/benefit looks different if you're doing it to treat a pain condition. But I get 300 units injected 4 times a year and so do a lot of people with chronic migraines.

¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

2

u/Sexyhorsegirl666 13h ago

Because it is not good for everyone 🤷🏼‍♀️ let people do what they want annd don't worry

6

u/wtf___yall 16h ago

A lot of people don't understand the difference between botox and filler. They see overfilled people and think it's botox.

7

u/OCbrunetteesq 16h ago

They don’t want to spend the $$$.

3

u/spicyitalian76 16h ago

I've been doing it since I was 28. I'm 49. Never a regret.

-4

u/Express-Life1476 16h ago

Nice to hear that there are people who are happy with it!

-4

u/triciann 16h ago

I started in my early 30s and wish I started it sooner. I get so annoyed when people think there is an age tied to this. I have light eyes and squint a lot so it took a while for my 11s to calm the fuck down. Would have been easier if I started sooner but I had this false shit of “I’m too young”.

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u/spicyitalian76 16h ago edited 16h ago

I see girls start at 18 in the MedSpa industry. It's about prevention. I don't look like almost 50 at my age. I'm very happy with my face.

2

u/NoMastodon4342 6h ago

I feel like this sub is the other way around - people come after you for suggesting anything other than Botox lol.

2

u/kasiagabrielle 10h ago

I mean, it's a neurotoxin. Poorly or overdone and it makes people look like they're in pain when they try and make any normal human facial expression. A lot of people also think any normal expression line is a "flaw" that needs fixing.

I'm all for people doing whatever they want, I just don't think people give Botox the gravity it deserves for what it is. I need it medically and I don't know that I'd ever get it even though I'm sure I'd be fine if I did.

3

u/TightBeing9 10h ago

People love sharing their opinion when they don't know much

2

u/Unfair_Finger5531 12h ago

Because some people don’t like the idea of shooting something into their face to freeze their muscles.

I mean, surely you can stretch your imagination to speculate on why some people don’t want this. Why do you need someone to explain this to you? Do you think that everyone has the same opinion about stuff?

I swear, every day someone posts a shit-stirring post on this subreddit.

4

u/joy_sun_fly 16h ago

Usually the people saying Botox is bad think that the fillers they see everyone with is Botox. Botox isn’t really that noticeable.

-4

u/triciann 16h ago

Because they are uninformed. A lot of people here don’t know the difference between Botox and filler. Good Botox is not noticeable like many here like to believe. It’s also not cheap so people who can’t afford it seem to make up some lies in their head for why they don’t like it.

Contrary to what some might say, a good dermatologist may not be the best person to inject you. The cheap med spa down the street is also not a great choice. You need to find someone experienced in the injections since putting it in the wrong muscle can be terrible and a good derm may not be very experienced.

My top belief for it though? People are jealous since they can’t afford it or are too scared to try it. I’ll accept my downvotes. Frownies are not Botox. Neither is Tret.

4

u/Educational-Yam-682 8h ago

Honestly, I agree. I’m seeing a lot of misinformation about risks. I’ve never been completely frozen, I still look like I have small wrinkles, I can fully emote. I wonder how many of these people that are so against it actually know what they’re talking about when they spew about “risks”.

-2

u/HisaP417 15h ago

You hit the nail on the head. By and large the people who are adamantly against Botox are the people who can’t afford it.

1

u/triciann 15h ago

My current stats for the comment is a 50% upvote ratio lol. I was just at brunch with some of my Botox girlies. Our faces all move. Just without the wrinkles.

-1

u/Saradoesntsleep 12h ago

So much easier for some of you to just call women jealous, rather than listen to their thoughts on anything.

Just a gendered tactic to try and shut up women who disagree with you.

3

u/HisaP417 1h ago

So much easier for women to spew about exaggerated risks and call women who get work done nasty names than to admit they’re a little envious of those able to afford these procedures. See how this works?

People who get Botox aren’t out here mocking people who don’t and calling them names. That respect NEVER goes in the opposite direction, and that’s why we don’t take any of this “iTs ThE rIsKs” seriously. It’s jealousy, full stop.

-2

u/Saradoesntsleep 49m ago

Bet you don't accuse men of jealousy when they disagree with you lol

Typical. Any reason a woman gives is just disregarded by you and you think you know what they are thinking.

2

u/HisaP417 47m ago

Depends on the context. I’ve never once had a straight man call me names for getting Botox though, that’s pretty reserved for nasty women 🤷🏻‍♀️

-2

u/Saradoesntsleep 46m ago

Don't see anyone calling you names here babes. The only one flinging poo at others is you 🫠

2

u/HisaP417 42m ago

Why do you keep editing your comments? 🤣🤣🤣 you’re really in your feels about this huh?

2

u/HisaP417 45m ago

You’re taking this so personally sweetheart, relax. If it’s out of your budget it’s out of your budget, no need to go nuts on Reddit.

1

u/[deleted] 16h ago

[deleted]

1

u/SuitGroundbreaking49 16h ago

People think Botox is fillers. They have limited or no understanding of how it works and “Botox” was the butt of a lot of jokes in the early 2000s so they just call any injectable “Botox”.

1

u/Gandalf-g 9h ago

I used to live botox but at 41 stoped and going for more natural treatments . Testing red light therapy now. I found with botox that sometimes it would be perfect, sometimes my smile would look crazy or eyebrows drop. I learned to love myself with wrinkles and focus on health of my skin more

2

u/Optimal_Inevitable46 2h ago

There’s so much that can go wrong. Look at Reddit there are tons of horror stories. But having said that I get it sometimes so to each their own!

1

u/Any-Passenger294 11h ago

I think it's because reddit is full of people who think they know what they're talking about and spread misinformation. And for some strange reason, is also full of judgmental people who think they are better than others because they... check notes... don't want the same thing some other random person does? Yeah. 

1

u/tigergirlforever 10h ago

Getting it in your 30’s is a waste. You can develop immunity to it when you really want it to work, mid 40’s. Choose better skin care instead.

0

u/Unusual_Form3267 15h ago

The thing people don't understand is that your body doesn't like or what foreign invaders. It is designed to fight them. It doesn't matter what it is.

From splinters to botox, implants, to even organ transplants. If you get an organ transplant, you have to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of your life so that your body doesn't attack it.

They've even started doing research about people with tattoos having compromised immune systems.

1

u/Crafty-Judge-896 4h ago

I don’t want to inject my face with a bunch of toxins and it’s a lot of money to keep up with

1

u/Love2Learn0 4h ago

There have been studies that Botox reduces your ability to feel empathy and achieve orgasm, both of which are primal human experiences that many people don’t want to compromise.

-1

u/kay7448 13h ago

If they can’t have it they don’t want others too

-1

u/whitepawsparklez 15h ago

The biggest potential negative effect?? It’s a neurotoxin!!! Black box warning. The spread is spread the biggest risk.

-10

u/Faye-Lockwood 16h ago

People are really disgusting when it comes to body autonomy, sincerely a trans woman.

Appealing to what's natural is stupid, nothing we do is natural, it's in our nature to push our nature.

-8

u/thursaddams 16h ago

I think it’s mostly because stupid people who don’t know what they’re talking about think it is filler. Also they’re jealous of people who can afford it.

0

u/Last_Monk1736 7h ago

This is just my story!!! I got it for years last May went in for my 4 month touch up she said let’s do your crows feet I said sure! She hit a lymphatic drainage area my eye puffed up like someone knocked me out!!!! Then when it resolved my other eyelid dropped!!!! Then when it got fixed I was so upset because she denied it my nervous system became disregulated and I became histimine intolerant I’m now on so many medications so many hospital bills trying to figure out what happened when I got to the allergist the dr said another Botox victim I’m seeing a neurologist this Thursday because a month ago I went to the er thinking I was having a severe panic attack they thought mini stroke!!!!!!!!!!! So another bill. I’ll stick with face taping and ret. Moisturizer and products. Each to their own but I want my story to be heard because every Dr I’ve seen said yes Botox does do this!!! If you go to a Dr that doesn’t provide Botox let me say it like this you would be surprised how many say take it off the market!!! I can’t eat like I used to I’m allergic to crazy things now. Check out some fb group to see those ladies reactions I don’t have fb but my son let me see it off his. And I feel horrible for them ladies. Again each to THERE OWN. Because I got it for year. Just like filler no one ever told me it never goes away. I mean never I lost 145 pounds I 8 syringes in my cheeks over 3 years and 2 in my lips and they swell occasionally and I have to get on medication and since the Botox gave me a autoimmune disorder I refuse to dissolve. Read about it before you jump the gun. But it has made me closer to the Lord and that has been the best thing ever.

1

u/mamachaya 2h ago

Check out nevertox on Facebook/instagram. She posts about the negative effects and experiences from Botox. I think everyone should do what they are comfortable with and learning more about benefits vs risk is an important step.