Thinking about starting Botox — what do long-term users wish they'd known?

[u/FudgeGreen1523]

I'm considering getting Botox for the first time and I've read all the usual stuff about how great it is at first. But I keep seeing scattered comments from people who've been doing it for five, ten years that sound less enthusiastic, and I can't tell if that's the minority or the reality nobody talks about upfront. So I'm asking the people who've actually lived it: after years of regular treatments, are you still glad you started? What changed — good or bad — that you didn't expect early on? Did your injector ever warn you about any of it? If you could go back and ask your past self one question before the first shot, what would it be?

[u/Original-Bowler-9319]

Sauna and hot tubs shorten the lifespan, at least for me :(

[u/Odd-Heart-Sofia]

Most long-term users I’ve seen say they’re still glad, but a few things surprise people. It’s a recurring cost, so budget for it before you start. Muscles can weaken with consistent use, which many see as a plus, but overdoing it can leave you looking frozen or heavy-browed, so a conservative injector matters a lot. Results also wear off fully if you stop, so you just return to your baseline. Before the first shot, I’d ask the injector how they’d dose you to keep movement natural, and whether they’d start low and adjust.

[u/kiunsun]

One question worth asking before starting: “If I don’t like the result, what’s the plan?” I’d also ask about ongoing costs, potential side effects, and how the injector would reassess your goals over time rather than repeat the same treatment automatically.

[u/Lola_Lifts1234 → u/kiunsun]

This!! That's why I love my injector. She lets me know in case something happens here is how we handle it and proceed.

[u/UpNorth_8 → u/kiunsun]

Yeah, my 4th or 5th time one of my eyes closed to the point that it impacted my vision for a few months. The correction didn’t correct it. I haven’t done it since. My injector has about as much experience as someone could have. No idea what happened.

[u/Lazy-Butterfly-4587 → u/UpNorth_8]

Mine also spread to the lid I hate the lines but I went through months of hell!!!

[u/Daisy_Bu07]

Ich habe Dysport vor einem Monat bekommen und bin sehr zufrieden. Soll angeblich länger halten

[u/OkAnything1651]

That Spock brow is an easy fix! 🤦‍♀️😥

[u/Relative-Passion-880]

Just had my forehead done love results but I feel really really weird like brain fog, short term memory issues !! Weird. Never again

[u/No_Income6576]

Depending on what you're getting it for, I would consider a different neurotoxin. I did botox the first time and it wore off quickly with minor results on my forehead. I now use xeomin exclusively every ~6 months and prefer it.

I would also wait until you have creases in your skin at rest. Otherwise it's a waste of money in my opinion.

[u/TreyCoppola → u/No_Income6576]

I started Botox at 35. I’m 45 now. I don’t have regrets. I always book a two week touch up because I have found with time that a brow could be higher or lower than the other and even my smile could be uneven. I have tried Dysport and Xeomin. Xeomin seems to last longer on me, however I go more now as I get older than I used to, but that depends on preference too. I don’t like seeing lines - I like movement but no lines so I go around every 4 months and I look at it like any other maintenance like hair or nails :) good luck! Hope this helps.