To Botox, or To not Botox

I bear in mind once I was in my 20s and my buddies would throw Botox events. They might serve cocktails and appetizers and would sit round and fortunately get their repair of Botox injections.

I by no means would partake; nonetheless, every so often, I’d attend and discover myself entertained with the entire scene. I’d benefit from the finger meals and free alcohol however by no means actually thought-about the concept of sitting in a chair and getting a needle inserted into my face. On the time, all of it appeared barely experimental, and excessive. We have been in our 20s and rocking events within the Hollywood Hills like a scorching pack of pups. Let’s not child ourselves; this was LA, the place folks have Botox for breakfast. The competitors has all the time been fierce, so when it got here to contemplating folding, there was all the time that to contemplate.

I believed Botox was one thing you began in your 30s and even perhaps your 40s. My buddies roughly justified beginning early with procedures by throwing out the buzzword “preventive.” It by some means made it okay to start out at an early age and never an enormous deal. Then I believed, if I begin doing this now, I’d be strapped to it for many years to return. I questioned if, as soon as I began doing it, by some means it could turn into a slippery slope; I may doubtlessly turn into obsessive about sustaining youthful pores and skin and fall down a rabbit gap. All of it appeared so loopy and excessive, however to be sincere, trying again I’m not positive abstaining was the appropriate choice.

In my 30s, I nonetheless felt fairly good about my pores and skin. I continued to get carded once I bought alcohol, so I believed I used to be trying fairly good for my age. I bear in mind my dad used to say that train was the fountain of youth, and I used to be constantly on prime of my exercise regime. So once more, I didn’t suppose it was one thing I wanted to start out doing. I used to be going about it the pure means.

I additionally nonetheless had fears of what would occur if I jumped on the Botox prepare. What would that imply shifting ahead? How a lot was this going to price? The place would I get it? What number of injections will I would like? All of it appeared somewhat taxing and complicated. Once more, I wasn’t dedicated to the concept, so I simply saved it behind my thoughts.

Then the 40s took place, and I began to get precancerous cells on my face. I went to a number of dermatologists to discover a treatment. A number of therapies have been tried on my pores and skin with little to no restore. I bear in mind the physician telling me that she had by no means seen pores and skin so immune to therapy.

Lastly, she introduced what might be thought-about an aggressive therapy nearly like a final resort. I needed to apply two separate drugs to my face twice a day for six weeks. I used to be warned it could be intense, and at any level, if it received to be an excessive amount of I may cease. Principally, the therapy would fry layers of my pores and skin off my face. I used to be proven footage of what may occur and received a visible of my future. I used to be horrified, however I had already tried so many various therapies that I used to be able to make the leap. It additionally was in the beginning of the pandemic, so I believed I may cover in my dwelling and never have to fret about trying like a fried freak out on the earth. I figured if I needed to run an errand, I may cowl my face. Everybody else was carrying a masks, in order that made it simpler to not be self-conscious. After contemplating my choices, as a substitute of carrying a masks, I made a decision to put on my Vespa helmet. Though I in all probability appeared ridiculous strolling round with a helmet, I didn’t care as a result of the choice of exposing any inch of my cherry face was worse.

After I went by the therapy, my pores and skin was left luminous, which except for efficiently treating the most cancers, managed to take years off my face. I did start to note that though my pores and skin was youthful, there have been strains in areas that weren’t going away and solely appeared to get deeper.

Now I’m in my mid-40s. The precancerous cells have been handled and fortunately haven’t resurfaced no less than for now. But, I proceed to be met with the identical predicament. My face is one thing I’ve to have a look at day-after-day, so why not tackle it? Why not get Botox? I believe as a result of I needed to endure the painful precancer pores and skin therapy, I really feel I shouldn’t need to enter the Botox vortex. I ought to get a move. I did my time. I seared my face for weeks on finish. It would not appear truthful.

After I communicate with my buddies today, some have surpassed the Botox part and have moved on to getting fillers. Certainly one of my buddies who has all the time been an enormous fan of Botox appeared to make the choice easy. When it got here to injections (amongst different choices in life) her motto has all the time been, “Do what you need, get it if you need it.”

Individuals can decide all day lengthy and say it’s vainness, insecurity, or shallowness, however it doesn’t matter what, it’s nonetheless a private choice that I’ve but to make.

Sitting right here now, I’m left with one query:

To Botox or to not Botox?

I’m nonetheless undecided, however I’ve appeared into it. I did have a session, and I do know a spot I can go to get it accomplished. That makes me one step nearer, and finally, I’ll almost certainly succumb.

I made it by my 20s and 30s Botox-free which once more, I’m not positive was the most effective choice. However I can’t look again. I can solely look ahead. After I ponder a call like Botox and discover myself going forwards and backwards, finally that crease in between my eyebrows goes to win out, and I’ll march straight down the road, sit in that chair, and let the magic unfold.