I had Botox in 2009 and then again in 2012 after having Valentina (one of my friends gifted it to me as a baby shower present, can you believe that!?) but when that wore off I took a break for a while (because I got an age-defying/wrinkle-hiding fringe cut into my hair) until late last year when I decided I needed a little help to hide the fine wrinkles I had developed on my forehead… Not that there were many to be fair, I am so very thankfully blessed with my mum’s good skin genes, but my age was starting to show a wee bit having recently joined the fab forties; and I wholeheartedly admit that I wanted to keep the battered leather handbag effect at bay until at least 80.
That little blast of Botox has worn off now, (typically the effects last for 3-4 months), so I am pondering going again, but I am afraid of becoming reliant on it or liking it so much I can’t do without it. Is that wrong? Or is that silly? Of course the opposite of the aforementioned old leather handbag face effect is the Bride of Lichtenstein effect - and no one wants to look that overdone. I mean, what did she NOT have for crying out loud?! So my theory is that when making Botox your stop clock (or face freezer) of choice, make sure to choose an honest, well qualified practitioner who will not allow you to get overdone and who will responsibly look after your needs.
I highly recommend two practitioners who both come from a medical background - namely Martina Collins on the Lisburn Road in Belfast & the Rejuvenate mobile clinic by Dr McNally who works out of several clinics across NI. Martina has been featured on this blog before with all of her amazing superfacials and wünder treatments that I have trialled and reviewed, (you can find her via www.martinacollins.com) and as a dentist, she knows and understands the anatomy of the face inside out. Literally. When it comes to Botox and fillers, she is known for conservative and careful changes which don’t veer too dramatically from the natural ‘you’. Dr McNally’s website is at www.rejuvenateni.com and has loads of relevant information on all available products and treatments as well as a list of all host clinics across NI. New clients can also call 07701062597 if they prefer to book by phone.
The science behind Botox is that it is a natural, purified protein which reduces the activity of the muscles which cause lines to form over time. It works by temporarily reducing the contractions of these muscles which cause permanent lines, thereby creating a smoother, rejuvenated appearance. Anti-wrinkle injections are mainly used for the face; most commonly in the forehead, the "11” lines between the eyebrows and the crows’ feet around the eyes. Botox is also offered for treating Hyperhidrosis (excess sweatingof the underarms.)
Prices for Botox vary depending on practitioners, but small areas can be treated from as little as £120. Some points to note regarding pricing (at most clinics):
Both sides of eyes are counted as one area.
Forehead is one area
Between eye brows is 1 area
And you can have as many or as few areas as you like treated in one session.
For both Martina and Dr McNally, the treatments are carried out in a clinical environment with pre-testing and full consultations plus consent as pre-requisite.
In summary, I would say to go for it if you feel you need a lift. I personally don’t know of any horror stories, but I know there are some out there, and that’s why choosing an expert is key. It is pretty non-invasive as a treatment and the results are anything from good to great - but I think it is important to take a good look at your own face before your consultation and understand what you (think you) want. A good facial doctor will advise and suggest the correct bespoke treatment for you.
If you’re scared on needles, don’t stop reading(!) - this week I started trialling Biotulin - a fantastic bio-organic alternative to injectable Botox - and the results have been great. It’s no wonder that often-photographed faces including Kate Middleton (I can’t get used to calling her Princess Catherine!) and Michelle Obama are fans. In fact, according to one Hollywood story, it was Kate Middleton who introduced the outgoing FLOTUS to the handy alternative to Botox.
In an interview with Celebrities Style Magazine, Carl Ray, make-up artist to Michelle Obama, revealed that she uses a bio Botox gel to combat wrinkles saying: “….On the recommendation of Kate Middleton, the First Lady uses this bio Botox gel on a regular basis. The effect is unbelievable. One of the constituents of this gel is Spilanthol, a biological local anesthetic extracted from the plant Acmella Oleracea (paracress). Biotulin, as this gel is called, smooths out wrinkles within just one hour.”
So what exactly is Biotulin? Biotulin is a transparent gel. It smooths out wrinkles – the first results can be seen within just one hour. The result produced by the active ingredient Biotulin® is comparable to that achieved using Botox, yet it is much easier to use as it is applied directly onto the skin instead of being injected. It is available to buy online and costs €49.99 without the special roller and €59.99 with it… I found this was great for a quick fix, but the effects don’t last more than an eight hour day or an evening out, you have to reapply to get the results each time. And that’s no bad thing, in fact it’s the perfect pre-going-out pick me up ever!