Botox according to experts, including whether preventative Botox could age you

Other risks, however include a brow drop. “This is due to Botox migrating, causing a neighbouring muscle to relax,” Dr Ali explains. “It tends to happen if too much Botox is injected or if it’s injected too deep. Going slow and injecting smaller doses can help to avoid this.”

Dr Esho maintains that even though the results don’t last forever, there could be long term consequences. “Overuse of the toxin, repeatedly, can result in excessive thinning and weakening of the muscles involved,” he says. Therefore, it’s important to wait until the toxin has completely worn off before having more injected, and to seek out a skilled and experienced practitioner who is careful about the amounts they use.

It is also worth noting that Botox has the potential to cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Symptoms of an allergic reaction following Botox treatment may be mild or severe and can include itching or a rash.

How long does Botox last?

“Botox is self limiting and normally lasts between four to six months,” notes Dr Esho.

What age should you start Botox?

According to Dr Mendelovici, the average age for people to receive their first Botox treatment is in their 30s, as most people begin noticing a few fine lines around their eyes or on the forehead at this age. “It is important to note, however, that Botox is approved for patients over 18 years old only,” she adds.

Can preventative Botox age you?

“No, preventative Botox does not age you,” says Dr Ali. “It relaxes certain muscle groups preventing the skin from creasing and developing wrinkles in the first place. Many patients opt to prevent the development or deepening of existing lines with the idea that prevention is better than cure.”

For cosmetic doctor Dr Michael Prager the focus of preventative Botox is to “subtly lift key points using small amounts of Botox to create a fresher appearance,” he says. “All the muscles and structures of the face are linked, so you have to consider how they move together in order to create a natural look.”

As well as wrinkles, Dr Esho note that Botox has further cosmetic abilities that you may not be aware of. “Botox can be used to raise the eyebrow, the lip and the tip of the nose. It is also used for the treatment of a gummy smile and to slim the jawline by treating masseter hypertrophy [a condition where the jawline muscles are enlarged].”

How can you correct a case of bad Botox?

We’ve all seen the images or heard horror stories of botched Botox. “There is an art to injecting Botox to ensure there are no telltale signs,” Dr Ali explains. “You also need to ensure that there is balance to the surrounding muscles in order to avoid complications or unwanted outcomes such as “brow ptosis”, where the brows become heavy after having too much Botox injected in the forehead.”

Once in the face, Botox can’t be ‘uninjected’ but a skilled medical professional will know if it’s possible to balance out your features by strategically adding more Botox or fillers to other parts of the face. “However, in some instances, unfortunately, the only option for a patient may be to wait until the Botox wears off over time to reverse the unwanted effects,” says Dr Ali.

Can you have Botox when pregnant?

“No, it is contraindicated to get Botox if pregnant or breastfeeding,” says Dr Mendelovici, largely because there is little known data around the effect on the foetus of injecting a toxin.

How much does Botox cost?

Depending on where you have the Botulinum toxin injected, which clinic you attend and how much is used, the prices can vary dramatically from around £100 to £500.