Botox

[7costanza]

I have a consult for Botox, and if I decide to do it, treatment on Monday. I just turned 40 and am trying to get ahead of the deep wrinkles and aging skin, lol. I’m also getting a chemical peel next month. I’m curious about others experiences with Botox, especially as a preventative measure. Also, do I tip?? It’s at a bougie med spa chain so I think yes, but it feels weird to tip a nurse?

[devonpow]

My only warning about Botox is that’s it’s addicting lol. I’m 47 and have been getting it for 5-6 years. I go light and avoid any areas that could potentially change my face too much (like horizontal forehead lines etc). I mainly do crows feet and my angry line between my eyes. It definitely helps with prevention. Also get prescription retinol if you aren’t on it. That plus sunscreen are the two best things you can do for your skin.

I don’t tip but my dermatologist does my Botox.

[simpsongal]

I'm 41. I go to a medispa too, there's no tipping expectation. And they help coordinate points/benefits for Botox & Dysport (Botox apparently just cancelled their points system).

I get a little in my forehead and 11s every 4-6 months. After my father died, I was wearing the grief - I had deep 11s from crying - the injections helped relax my face. I can still move my forehead plenty.

I also do micro needling a few times/yr to help w/fine lines. I can't use retinol b/c I have dermatitis.

I might try botox near my eyes eventually. I don't have any lines there in a resting position, but when I smile, I can see the fine lines/crepey skin.

ETA: I'm not exactly sure how much I get, I think it's like 20 units? maybe a little more? I usually pay around $250. 

[7costanza]

devonpow I tried a prescription retinol but my skin never stopped flaking. 😭 I just started an OTC version and so far so good. the med spa recommended one that was like $300, but I’m starting with one from The Ordinary. I also use sunscreen everyday!

[scm1011]

Love botox, I do it every 4-6 months in my forehead and crows feet. I also do not tip - mine is done by a NP and it feels strange to tip him.

[eb777888]

I only do it for my forehead, and not much. I used to get my crows feet done, but it was just too much and gave my face a weird look. I'm in the "less is more" camp with that.

I will never, ever tip for botox! If I'm filling out a HIPAA form for a service, I'm not tipping. I go to a fancy med spa and there's no prompt for tipping. I really don't think that's the norm and would avoid a med spa that did have a prompt for it, honestly.

Can you update on your chemical peel? My sister had this done and her skin looks amazing! My skin is in really good shape, but so is hers. So, I'm tempted.

[mokes]

I do 20 units in my "11s" and 10 units in my forehead; the latter is a pretty light dose. I prefer to have some movement in my forehead.

Most places I've been to will typically suggest you start light, and come back after 2 weeks to see if you need any touch up -- they'll check that your eyebrows are properly aligned, you're happy with how it looks, etc. I've gotten it from a plastic surgeon, dermatologist and now go to an NP at a med spa, and none of them charged for the touchup visit ... though I never really felt I needed it so I don't go back.

I've never tipped and never felt like a tip was expected.

simpsongal, Alle just revamped their points program but they didn't get rid of it? I thought the changes were actually better.

[penelope]

Nov 22, 2024 13:34:13 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I only do it for my forehead, and not much. I used to get my crows feet done, but it was just too much and gave my face a weird look. I'm in the "less is more" camp with that.

I will never, ever tip for botox! If I'm filling out a HIPAA form for a service, I'm not tipping. I go to a fancy med spa and there's no prompt for tipping. I really don't think that's the norm and would avoid a med spa that did have a prompt for it, honestly.

Can you update on your chemical peel? My sister had this done and her skin looks amazing! My skin is in really good shape, but so is hers. So, I'm tempted.

I had a chemical peel about two months ago.  It really helped my skin, texture and acne scarring has always been an issue and it really made a difference. The red scars are either lighter or gone.  The deeper ones on my chin are still there but I didn't expect those to be gone.  But the texture along my cheeks used to be more like sand paper and it is pretty smooth now, I see and feel a difference.  I suggest planning well prior to getting one.  I got mine done on a Tuesday and by Friday at work I had so much peeling skin it was embarrassing.  I went home after work and stood over the bathroom sink and rubbed my face and the falling skin into my sink was....really gross.  Next time I would schedule for a Wednesday so that part is happening on the weekend (and on a weekend when I have nothing to do). My skin was a bit pinkish for a couple of days (on my cheek bones, primarily) after the peeling stopped but that didn't last long.  And I suggest doing it in the winter.  The lady that did mine said she won't do them in the summer months at all, and mine was fall time but we had a couple of warmer days and I was worried about sweating prior to peeling.  One day after work it turned out warmer than normal and I was worried about it while walking my dog.  Sweating underneath the skin getting ready to peel can cause negative effects (infection and scarring being the worst, I believe).  Thankfully I didn't, so I have no experience with that and don't know how much you have to sweat or what really happens.  That part scared me and I put it off for a long time before just deciding to do it.  

All of that said, I do recommend it and I will do it again.

[sugarbear1]

Love Botox. I do my 11s, my forehead, my crows feet, and I have deep lip lines from drinking out of a straw. I never tip because I get it at a bougie med spa.

[sdlaura]

No tipping. I go every 3-4 months (I seem to metabolize it very quickly) for crows feet and forehead. I'm 43 and in SoCal and definitely the majority of women here seem to use it.

[7costanza]

Thank you all! I will come back and update after the chemical peel for sure. My friend had one a few months ago and her skin looks amazing, so I’m hoping for the same!

[7costanza]

Nov 22, 2024 14:13:59 GMT -5 sugarbear1 said:

Love Botox. I do my 11s, my forehead, my crows feet, and I have deep lip lines from drinking out of a straw. I never tip because I get it at a bougie med spa.

I think you’re in the Seattle area too, do you mind sharing where you go? I’m going to SkinSpirit at Green Lake

[7costanza]

penelope At my chem peel consult they said I shouldn’t pull at the flakes but can trim the bigger ones with scissors 😳 I planned it for a Wednesday and am actually taking PTO so I don’t have to deal with seeing people while it’s bad, lol

[wanderlustmom]

I also love botox and started at 49--wish I had started earlier. I go every six months and do my forehead lines only at this point. I do want to think about a chemical peel since I have a lot of sun spots. Though I'm not sure that helps, I love the prescription retinol like another PP recommended (mine is trentonin I think) I use that every other night. I've been thinking about halo too or BBL but I know it's a lot of money. And I use sunscreen on my face every day

[simpsongal]

mokes, that's good to know - my place was all big about advising of the change. Maybe they just need time to familiarize themselves w/the new system.

[sugarbear1]

Nov 22, 2024 14:33:25 GMT -5 7costanza said:

Nov 22, 2024 14:13:59 GMT -5 sugarbear1 said:

Love Botox. I do my 11s, my forehead, my crows feet, and I have deep lip lines from drinking out of a straw. I never tip because I get it at a bougie med spa.

I think you’re in the Seattle area too, do you mind sharing where you go? I’m going to SkinSpirit at Green Lake

Skin Spirit UVillage!

[sdlaura]

Re: the Alle points, at my last appt. the receptionist told me the revamped program went from points meaning you get like $20 off at each visit, more to like once a year you get a free vial of something -she seemed to think the new system was better but that could have just been a marketing angle.

[artichokie]

Botox is the best. Tretinoin for topical.

Worth every penny for Botox. Do not tip.

I have a side gig that goes to my Tox fund

[sdlaura]

S/o cosmetic stuff like chemical peels - my medspa recommended lasers (BBL/IPL) to deal with pigmentation and scarring stuff. I wonder if it’s just less downtime than a chemical peel? Did any of you discuss pros and cons of lasers vs peels?

[starburst604]

Nov 22, 2024 17:12:18 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

Re: the Alle points, at my last appt. the receptionist told me the revamped program went from points meaning you get like $20 off at each visit, more to like once a year you get a free vial of something -she seemed to think the new system was better but that could have just been a marketing angle.

The new system sucks. You can redeem for anything once you accrue 1200 points within a year. It’s an obvious grab to get people to get treatments more often or try new treatments so the points don’t go to waste. I don’t think it will be favorable for them unless they start offering other types of promos more often like the BOGO gift cards.

[sdlaura]

starburst604 I did the bogo GC. More of those would be great since then it also spreads out my spending on it.

[7costanza]

sdlaura I did ask about lasers, but they said it’s not an option for me because of my melasma.

[fryjack2]

I'm 45 and started when I was 40ish. Maybe 41 or 42? I get it every 4-6 months. My derm does it and she is awesome. I usually have her decide where I "need" it after telling her what bothers me. I have gotten it under my eyes a few times, but won't anymore because I think it makes me look weird. I have full cheeks and the skin kind of just pushed up when I smiled and looked weird to me.

I get it on my crows feet, 11s and forehead. It lasts a while for me. My derm has the rewards program thing that I never keep track of but they do.

My skin is too sensitive for any kind of peel but I do use retinoid 2-3 times a week with lots of moisturizer.

[eb777888]

Nov 22, 2024 14:06:20 GMT -5 penelope said:

Nov 22, 2024 13:34:13 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I only do it for my forehead, and not much. I used to get my crows feet done, but it was just too much and gave my face a weird look. I'm in the "less is more" camp with that.

I will never, ever tip for botox! If I'm filling out a HIPAA form for a service, I'm not tipping. I go to a fancy med spa and there's no prompt for tipping. I really don't think that's the norm and would avoid a med spa that did have a prompt for it, honestly.

Can you update on your chemical peel? My sister had this done and her skin looks amazing! My skin is in really good shape, but so is hers. So, I'm tempted.

All of that said, I do recommend it and I will do it again.

Thanks for the info. My sister has really sensitive skin and can't even use retinols. She had a really rough time healing, but she got through it and yes, her skin does look amazing. I don't think she'll choose to do it again based on the retelling of events, lol. My skin is sensitive, but I can do tretinoin. It did take a bit more patience and work for me than most at first. 

[mokes]

Nov 22, 2024 20:20:51 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

Nov 22, 2024 17:12:18 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

Re: the Alle points, at my last appt. the receptionist told me the revamped program went from points meaning you get like $20 off at each visit, more to like once a year you get a free vial of something -she seemed to think the new system was better but that could have just been a marketing angle.

The new system sucks. You can redeem for anything once you accrue 1200 points within a year. It’s an obvious grab to get people to get treatments more often or try new treatments so the points don’t go to waste. I don’t think it will be favorable for them unless they start offering other types of promos more often like the BOGO gift cards.

It seems like such a better value though, no? Before 1200 points would be $120 off -- but now you can redeem 1200 points for 50 units of Botox. I think the cheapest my place ever goes is like $12/unit, so that's $600 of product. Even if I don't use the full 50 and they charge an injection fee, it still seems like I'd be way ahead!

I also love SkinMedica products, so having those as an option is great, too -- they're expensive!

[starburst604]

mokes In that respect yes, but they only award 200 points per Botox treatment. If the average person gets it 3-4 times a year they’ll never get there and my understanding is they expire after a year (though I may need to re-read that). I also read they’re upping the amount to 1400 points in 2025.

[mokes]

starburst604 I see what you’re saying. I think it’s 1 yr from your last transaction but I can see it’d be annoying to have to wait longer before a reward.

[lo]

I’m 42 and just got it for the first time in August and LOVED it! I’ve had forehead lines for awhile and this helped so much. I think it was 90% worn off by 3 months, though. I was hoping it would last longer.

[simpsongal]

Nov 23, 2024 16:09:55 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

mokes In that respect yes, but they only award 200 points per Botox treatment. If the average person gets it 3-4 times a year they’ll never get there and my understanding is they expire after a year (though I may need to re-read that). I also read they’re upping the amount to 1400 points in 2025.

I should note, I tried dysport last time because they have a rewards program similar to the old Botox one. Apparently it tends to last long and kick in faster too. We’ll see how it goes.

[sadlebred]

I have done it off and on for years. Sadly, off right now. I love it!