"Mommy Makeover", Botox - Would You?

Updated on April 06, 2011
L.E. asks from Pittsburgh, PA
23 answers

The Skin Center Medical Spa in Pittsburgh is offering a chance to win a $5000 makeover, including Botox, Thermage and some other treatments. I'm a WAHM and I had my son when I wasn't exactly young. I always thought I'd do the 'grow old gracefully, accept yourself as you are' thing, but now that I'm getting the frown lines that make me look perpetually tired and stressed, I'm starting to wonder if I might want to fight things a bit. When I'm just being mom, I don't give it a thought; and my husband thinks I'd be crazy to do anything, but I am starting to notice that both he and my son keep asking me if I'm upset or mad about something. I'm not -- it's just the frown lines that seem to get deeper every day. My face just looks tired, which is not good when you're meeting with clients and trying to look professional and energetic. So I'm wondering mamas, would you enter a makeover contest if you could win a treatment, so that money was not an obstacle? Anyone out there try Botox? What do you think? Would you do it again? I'm not trying to look 20, just not so worn out.

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S.O.

answers from Chicago on

I would never use Botox. I use Olay and grapeseed oil and that is all. There are days I would like a few less winkles around my eyes but we all age at some point and in the end it really does not matter.

1 mom found this helpful

A.A.

answers from Anchorage on

Yes !!!!! I have had a few injections, And i love it! Im 51 and i dont go crazy with it! But done tastefully-----Not used to look like a face lift, Just use it for crows feet. works great! Dose not last as long as juvederm!!! juvederm will last twice as long! More expensive!! It just all a personal choice. I dont live by anyones choice but my own. :)

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Botox is a TOXIN--I would never do it. It paralyzes the facial muscles. You can tell when a person on TV has recently had Botox, their face doesn't move. Instead I would eat better, try something like Mary Kay, get more rest, meditate--in other words take better care of yourself.
You can also train yourself no to fall into the habit of making certain expressions that make you look tired.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi L.,

There are so many other things you can do for your skin that are safe. Even though the FDA has approved Botox (Botulinum toxin, a protein emitted by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum)it doesnt mean it is okay. It is estimated to be lethal at doses as low as one nanogram per kilogram when injected. That's one billionth of a gram (0.000000001 g) per kilogram of bodyweight. I really have not determined how the FDa can get away with approving it except that they approve a lot of pharmaceutical company products.

A good absorbable multivitamin/mineral complex, pure water, on the skin and a lot to drink, as well a nutritious food and even a grape seed/grape skin supplement s helpful. All of these things can rejuvinate.

From NaturalNews:
" Public Citizen analyzed FDA data on Botox from 1997 to 2006. Among the findings: 180 patients developed life-threatening conditions after being injected with Botox, with 16 deaths and 87 hospitalizations. Four of the deaths occurred in children under 18. The injections of the neurotoxin, which is used to induce paralysis at the wrinkled area, apparently also caused paralysis of the respiratory muscles and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), leading to pneumonia and fluid in the lungs.Additionally, 658 cases of patients having adverse effects to Botox were reported. Because these reports were voluntary and came from the makers of Botox, they are estimated to account for only 10 percent of all cases."

Hope this helps!

M.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Oh my goodness, yes! I would enter! I think there is always room for improvement. If you can make yourself look and feel a little better, go for it! Botox isn't extreme and its a relatively safe procedure. Go for it!

M

2 moms found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

No Botox, for me! I've seen a few people up close (at my old job) who had botox. You might hate your frown lines, but you might also hate obviously looking like you've had work done...and not being able to really smile. They always looked like a grimace instead of a smile, because they had no control. And...it was so glaringly obviously they had botox. Alien like with no expression, actually.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.A.

answers from Houston on

I wouldnt do it just because it looks painfull!!!! OUCH!!!! BUT, I think that you want to do something to improve yourself...GO FOR IT!!! As long as you are not hurting anyone else, its all good!!!

Hope you win!!! Good Luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful

M.A.

answers from Detroit on

I need a makeover, but no Botox, those shots hurt! I had to go to a cosmetic surgeon to have many procedures/surgery done to remove fibro epithelial polyps around my nose, especially around the eyes. I was in so much pain from the injections (this is the same procedure done to inject Botox-the DR. used a similar drug-think she said it was Novocain for the face.) I had black eyes, was bruised on my nose for a week at the injection sites and swollen-had to take off of work too as I looked like I got into a bar room fight! When I went in for a follow up visits, the "girls" in the waiting room were looking nervous and asking what I had done - they thought I had a nose job!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.V.

answers from San Francisco on

No to Botox --- Yes to makeovers

I think it is really important to reinvent ones self every now and then. Get a new hair cut, have a good facial, get rid of facial hair and have your brows shaped....get new make-up done and have a mani and apedi.

Most of these things can be done at home if you are on a budget. You might even have a big girl slumber party and everyone bring their beauty products, curling irons, hot rollers, etc. Have some good food and wine, watch movies and have a great time, even do a little male bashing or brag about your good man. Top it off with a good brunch in the morning and everyone goes home with their new looks or at least beautiful finger nails on toe nails.

If you can afford a day of beauty at a spa....Go for it! But, no cosmetic surgery unless there's a BIG problem, especially if your husband, boyfriend love you just the way your are.

Blessings....

1 mom found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

No way would I have a toxin responsible for food poisoning injected under my skin.

1 mom found this helpful

J.O.

answers from Pittsburgh on

If it's something that would make YOU feel good...I say go for it!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Nope, I wouldn't. Not even for free.

Physically, I wouldn't want to run the risk of side effects. I've heard a couple of horror stories – like permanent, disabling headaches.

Emotionally and philosophically, I would LOVE to look younger, but fending off age is a wild-goose chase. Age will win, in the end, and like you, I want to accept it gracefully. And the more women (and men) spring for these treatments, the more the norm it will become, and the less attractive those who can't afford it will become in the eyes of the privileged. I will not contribute to that.

It's also expensive, and once a 'free' makeover begins to fade, you will want all the more to maintain it. It's a bit like a free hit of crack; gets you hooked. And I've got much more important things to do with any extra money I may have, like help people who have suffered major disaster and loss of even basic necessities.

It's a shortcut. It can't forever keep you looking better than proper care of your body and soul. It puts too much emphasis on the physical, which is only one aspect of a balanced life.

It's wildly easy to rationalize just about anything we want to do. In that process, we tend to forget all the good reasons for not doing it. That kind of thinking hypnotizes us, individually and as a society.

I hope this doesn't sound too judgmental, because, as I said, I would love to look younger, and I can really understand the temptation. But, at 63, I've had a long time to think about this subject.

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

Id do it, its not permanent, its a little pick me up and will go away.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.K.

answers from Dallas on

Heck ya. I swore I would never do botox, but if I had the resources I would so give it a try now. I think anything that is done in moderation is just fine.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

You can get a "makeover" without Botox injections. Regular facials, new tricks for makeup, etc.

This is a CONTEST... so you have no idea how qualified someone might be and you would let them inject you with Botox and trust they do it right?

Think about it.... It is your face.... would you prefer to occasionally look tired or have a permanent botch job on your face.

If you are determined for some type of invasive procedure on your face, go to a well known professional in your area who knows what they are doing.

Even with the top notch professtional... remember it is your face if they mess up. Haven't you seen the people who have done this and they look worked on?

1 mom found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Ask yourself this, who on TV have you seen that has had Botox that you actually like how their face moves and looks??? I would not! Call up your local Mary Kay consultant and get on a skin care regimen and a color consultation for FREE and perhaps you can learn some new makeup tricks to brighten up your face.

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K.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Unless you'd done your research and planned on going to The Skin Center Medical Spa in Pittsburgh *anyway*, I wouldn't enter the contest. As far as Botox, anything that messes with my face scares me a bit, not saying I'd NEVER do it, but I'd have to be pretty unhappy with my looks to go through with it. But body procedures? Well, I've already had a BA, and my plan is to get rid of this stubborn saggy tummy flab, so that's a tummy tuck at some point. I also intend to fight aging as best I can (without going crazy with the nips and tucks, I really like my facial features the way they are), so for now that includes eye cream, serums, anti-wrinkle creams, etc. I'm almost 39 and so far, I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job keeping my skin looking and feeling healthy. Ask me again in 5 years...

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D.G.

answers from Chattanooga on

Yes to makeover.. No to Botox , yes to the Thermage I personally would love a tummy tuck as I can't get the weight off there. Just look up Botox is and frankly it scares me

D.M.

answers from Denver on

I am also an older mother and though this has meant I haven't aged at all like I thought I would, no, I would not. This involves injecting botulism...I can't see how that could be a good idea. I might try some light skin resurfacing...but no, no needles, no scalpels, no toxins...

You almost certainy look better than you think. And most people who have gotten botox look...waxen (to me).

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Contest, no... but I plan on getting a tummy tuck.

The only reason I wouldn't enter a contest is because I am extremely picky about the medical professionals in my life. Now... if the surgeon I had already chosen held a contest, durn straight!!!

M.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Absolutely no to Botox. No need to inject poison into our bodies when we get enough from everything around us. If you want to look and feel younger, talk to me. I started using a super anti-aging system and love my results. I am 47 and got carded at the boardwalk last summer. (mind you they have to card if they believe you are under 28 - so I will take that) I saw an immediate change in my skin as 80% saw during our clinical tests. I would enter to win the contest and do massages and things like that. I don't even like facials anymore at spas...don't like how my skin feels after. Good luck, hope you win.

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I don't think I would do Botox. I see people on TV that have it and it always makes them look really strange. I think there are other methods out there that are a little better, but I haven't really researched them. I would love to have a little nip and tuck though! :D

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