Well this is it. No turning back. Did I mention last week how much I hate needles? I do. But in for a penny, in for a pound. We considered adding some pictures of the procedure being done, but it made me feel sick to my stomach. And even though I really like all of you, I think there are some secrets we should be allowed to keep. OK, I chickened out! So sue me! It was worth a try. Are you ready? Mommy...
The big day
The consultant I chose to carry out the treatment is a highly specialised user of Botox. He is a specialist for one of London's most respected teaching hospitals and treats people with eye problems and facial tics. He therefore has an intimate knowledge of the muscle structure of the face. He spends two days a week using Botox as a cosmetic treatment; the rest of the week is spent using it for its original purpose, so I was in really good hands.[quote]
I told him my twofold reason for being there, and he gave me a physiology lesson, that was both interesting and informative – though I suspect he was trying to help me relax. He explained the procedure and drew me a diagram showing where he planned to inject the toxin as well as why: three small jabs over each brow, two in the larger muscles between my brows (to prevent tense concentration), and one on either temple. The trick, he said, is to still allow mobility of the brows so you don't lose your characteristic expressions, but to tone them down enough to prevent the deep creasing. This is also why Botox is really only used on the upper two-thirds of the face, otherwise it affects your smile, though if your smile is a bit crooked, it can help to sort that out.
The consultant told me he wasn't going to use vast quantities of Botox. I was invited back in a week to have the results examined, and to have anything I was not happy with seen to. I felt much more comfortable knowing that if anything, I might need more Botox instead of having a face like a mannequin. Buckle your seatbelts...
Ouch... sort of
The procedure was done sitting up to prevent the Botox from shifting, and I was told to remain upright for the next few hours after treatment. The consultant prepared the syringe, which I must admit was the tiniest I have ever seen. There was no numbing of the area first, and I prepared for the worst. It didn't come! It wasn't exactly a walk in the park, but it wasn't at all what I had expected. The consultant kept speaking to me the entire time, which was both relaxing and distracting.
Before I knew it, we were done. He gave me a mirror, and well... I looked exactly the same. A few little dots of blood, but other than that, none the worse for the wear. An hour after walking through the door, I paid the bill and started my journey home. I went to the bathroom mirror, and tried to raise my eyebrows. It was really strange. I felt like I was raising them, but they moved only a fraction of the amount they usually would. And let me tell you, that took every ounce of concentration I had!
The days & weeks ahead
Botox can take up to 72 hours to really kick in, and over the next few days, I was increasingly unable to lift my eyebrows. My forehead felt bruised and numb. The really weird thing is that when I tried to raise my eyebrows they felt like they were moving every bit as much as usual, but when I looked in the mirror, they were barely raised. I was afraid of looking like one of those Hollywood wax figures, but my features still moved – just not as much.
On the third day after treatment I saw someone I hadn't seen for a year. Her first comment was, 'You know, you look younger than the last time I saw you. That is really unfair!' I attributed it to the fantastic products that I use, and knew that my guilty little secret would be out soon enough... but while I could still enjoy it, I did!
Two months later
Well after nearly three months, I would have to say the Botox injections have been a resounding success. My forehead is as smooth as can be, and I have had movement back for the last few weeks, so my face looks very natural. But most importantly, my headaches have been minimal. I have not had an official migraine for nearly two months. One tried to hit me a while back, but it stopped about midway over the top of my head (those of you who get migraines will know what I mean), and any headache I have had has been completely manageable. The great side effect has been the loss of lines, but that is really secondary for me. As I said at the beginning of the experiment, I wasn't particularly fussed over them. Will I carry on? Yes, at least for a few more treatments, to see if it can be prolonged. And who knows…maybe this really is the fountain of youth!
