is botox safe? those of you that have had it, have you ever had any problems/reactions, etc...?

[Anonymous]

Totally agree with 16:05 on round the world practices being alien concept in the states. And agree with 15:45 and 15:49....just because they offer another view doesn't mean they are slamming other opinions. Other way around: their opinions are getting slammed. 1545 seems to offer an opinion about the American thinking pattern of what is safe. That was the main point of the post, which is also the point of this whole thread. OP is asking if Botox is safe. Only Botox patients and Drs will say yes. If you read it more closely, you'd see its not a debate sparker over breast feeding....it was an example of the fleeting concept of safety with common practices.

[Anonymous]

My question is why is there so much pressure for women to look "refreshed"? I mean, what is wrong with looking your age? I'm not criticizing women who chose to have cosmetic surgery or Botox injections. But I find it sad that even in D.C., a place not as "shallow" as LA or NY, we find this pressure to appear beautiful and younger than we are (or at least "good" for our age).
Do men feel the same pressure? I don't think so, but could be wrong since I'm not a plastic surgeon/derm and don't know what the clientele is.

[Anonymous]

For me - I don't feel "pressure" to look any different - unless you count the pressure I feel from myself. First and foremost I care about how I feel. I want to "feel" refreshed and energetic and all that - but, yes, I also want to "look" refreshed. Doesn't everyone. How can you not admit that you do not care about how you look. Whether you choose to use makeup, botox, or whatever - I think most people do care about how they look. I take care of my appearance - for myself, first - i actually don't care how I look to others, as much.

[Anonymous]

I care about how I look. When I want to refresh I do something that acutally refreshes. Poisoning my skin and muscles to deaden the nerves and tissue doesn't seem so refreshing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really just don't understand why anyone would willingly have major surgery and undergo anesthesia all in the name of vanity. Seriously - there's a huge difference between wearing make up and a push up bra and injecting poison and going under the knife.

This is the secret to looking young:

Moisturize
Wear sunscreen
Exercise

Just wondering - how old are you?

You got me! I'm young (31) - look VERY young (get carded everywhere) and have my young looking 55 yr old mom and young looking 60 something aunts and young looking 85 yr old grandmother to thank for my beauty tips. They all look amazing. They eat well, exercise, wear hats and sunscreen, use gentle cleansers and moisturize quite a bit. We have a "black sheep" in our family - my cousin (40 yrs) - she went the other way - tons of make up, hair dye, tanning, botox and she looks like heck. All for "beauty".

My question is: The women in my life shared their health and beauty tips with me and I've always had a good regimen. What will you Botoxers tell your daughters??
I can't imagine ever ina million years telling my daughter to get Botox when she would have the same results with natural methods.

[Anonymous]

Amen. They can tell their daughters...I spent $500 on paralyzing my face so I can look like you, dear.

[Anonymous]

I was also one of those very young looking 30-somethings - said all the same things as you. But gravity and life (no matter what you do) will eventually take hold. I want to age gracefully - but a little something here and there is always nice. My mom is 69 years old and nobody believes it! She looks at least ten years younger - so I have good genes. I want to look even better at that age - and I plan to. With good diet, lots of water, vitamins, lots of sunscreen, no smoke or drink, yoga and lots of walking everyday and the occasional help from my plastic surgeon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was also one of those very young looking 30-somethings - said all the same things as you. But gravity and life (no matter what you do) will eventually take hold. I want to age gracefully - but a little something here and there is always nice. My mom is 69 years old and nobody believes it! She looks at least ten years younger - so I have good genes. I want to look even better at that age - and I plan to. With good diet, lots of water, vitamins, lots of sunscreen, no smoke or drink, yoga and lots of walking everyday and the occasional help from my plastic surgeon!

Amen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not against someone getting a little something done. That said, I HATE botox. I want to talk to someone who is able to have a full facial expression, and it is too much of a distraction otherwise. I think it draws more attention to people, and often makes them look silly. I feel the same way about collagen in the lips too. There becomes a point where the look isn't good, and is distracting.

You know - I wish you could see me - I have had both Botox and my lips done. You would never know. My husband doesn't even know nor does my mom (who notices every little change). It is just enough to soften the lines and plump up the lips without freezing them! You would be suprised how many people have it done - you are refering to the obvious cases. I know - because I have seen those too. I still have lines and look my age - just a little better. A good plastic surgeon knows how to do it in moderation. Same with breast augmentation - you would be surprised. We all think we know when someone has something done - but those are the ones that get bad boob jobs or too big for their frame. I had mine done after 2 kids - I just look like I have the same boobs - pre-pregnancy. So, think what you want - based on your non-experience. I happen to be very happy with my results. But everyone is different.

Who are your doctors? I am looking for the same look -- soften a few lines and pre-preg boobs ... nothing too obvious.

Dr. Feledy in Bethesda. One of Washingtonian's Top Docs!!
301-654-5666

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree with 16:05 on round the world practices being alien concept in the states. And agree with 15:45 and 15:49....just because they offer another view doesn't mean they are slamming other opinions. Other way around: their opinions are getting slammed. 1545 seems to offer an opinion about the American thinking pattern of what is safe. That was the main point of the post, which is also the point of this whole thread. OP is asking if Botox is safe. Only Botox patients and Drs will say yes. If you read it more closely, you'd see its not a debate sparker over breast feeding....it was an example of the fleeting concept of safety with common practices.

?????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not against someone getting a little something done. That said, I HATE botox. I want to talk to someone who is able to have a full facial expression, and it is too much of a distraction otherwise. I think it draws more attention to people, and often makes them look silly. I feel the same way about collagen in the lips too. There becomes a point where the look isn't good, and is distracting.

You know - I wish you could see me - I have had both Botox and my lips done. You would never know. My husband doesn't even know nor does my mom (who notices every little change). It is just enough to soften the lines and plump up the lips without freezing them! You would be suprised how many people have it done - you are refering to the obvious cases. I know - because I have seen those too. I still have lines and look my age - just a little better. A good plastic surgeon knows how to do it in moderation. Same with breast augmentation - you would be surprised. We all think we know when someone has something done - but those are the ones that get bad boob jobs or too big for their frame. I had mine done after 2 kids - I just look like I have the same boobs - pre-pregnancy. So, think what you want - based on your non-experience. I happen to be very happy with my results. But everyone is different.

Who are your doctors? I am looking for the same look -- soften a few lines and pre-preg boobs ... nothing too obvious.

Dr. Feledy in Bethesda. One of Washingtonian's Top Docs!!
301-654-5666

I have a lot of sun spots on my face - do you know the best treatment for those by any chance???
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amen. They can tell their daughters...I spent $500 on paralyzing my face so I can look like you, dear.

I got botox, love it, my children know I get it, I tell them don't give me a hard time when I put your sunscreen on and maybe you will not want or need to do this in the future. I love the results of my botox and will continue to do them FOREVER if I have to.

[Anonymous]

Good grief! My FIL was a plastic surgeon. My grandmother had a facelift when she was 70. She lived to be 87 and looked like she was 70! It all depends on who your surgeon is, and how skilled they are at maintaining a balance with looking natural. Who CARES what other people do to their bodies anyway?! My MIL had her eyelids lifted 20 years ago and it STILL makes a difference today. Would it be worth it? Hell yes, if you can afford it and it's what you want.

I can't say for a minute I would think less of my mother or sisters if they decided to get a little "help" against the effects of aging. Would that set me off my axis in my own opinion of myself, and suddenly I'd feel less than perfect or rush out to emulate their decision? No more than the opposite is true either... if they decided to be granolas and cherish every wrinkle and age spot as a badge of honor, I'm not going to wish I had more myself.

For the PP who asked about sun spots, laser treatments will remove them. The most advanced one I've heard of lately is the Fraxel laser, which has been called the non-surgical "facelift" on the Today Show. It's the only laser that gets rid of sun spots but also is proven to stimulate collagen production and actually tightens the skin as part of its healing of the tissues after the lasering. Four treatments would run about $4000 over a year. Effects are said to last up to 10 years.

I'm glad I live in a time when we have these options available. I just wish they were more affordable!!

[Anonymous]

Hi PP,
I've been lurking here hoping that someone would answer my question about sunspots. Thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

I've been lurking too - this is definitely a conversation among people I rarely meet. Very interesting.

I will answer your sunspot question: They do have ways to bleach those off but I can't remember what the dermatologist said. Once I knew they weren't melanoma, I wasn't interested in the conversation - sorry.

I'm intrigued by the poster who had work done and didn't even tell her husband. We just don't spend money without telling each other.

I am in my mid 40s. I do not dye my graying (but thick and healthy head of) hair. My skin doesn't look like it did at 35, and I even have some sun spots. I dress professionally, but do not invest my heart and soul in my appearance. I can't imagine spending money on artificial enhancements when there are so many more interesting things to do with my money and my free time.

I also make my living by thinking. And, I do that very well - even with the gray hairs. I'm fine with it.