# "Botox" face - real or imagined phenomenon
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botox-face-real-or-imagined-phenomenon/120402
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 23, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botox-face-real-or-imagined-phenomenon/120402 "2002-07-23T16:12:42Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botox-face-real-or-imagined-phenomenon/120402/1 "2002-07-23T16:12:42Z")
I have seen several observations in the news over the past year or so that a de-wrinkled “botoxed” face has a distinctive characteristic “look” of seeming to be flat or motionless. Most of these observations are by celebrities about other celebrities so how much of this is real vs jealously is an open question. Considering that it is the deliberate injection of one of the most powerful toxins known to man I supose it’s not out of the question.
My question for these who have been “botoxed” or people familiar with friends who have had this procedure. Is this observation real or imagined? Do botoxed faces have a flatter, more expressionless look than non-injected faces?
from [MSNBC](http://www.msnbc.com/news/784076.asp)
> [@](#):
>
> “I was at a Versace party a couple of weeks ago and Madonna walked in,” Boy George said, according to the Daily Mail.
> “She had sunglasses on, and there was no motion in her face whatsoever. I prefer to grow old gracefully. I’m 41, I’ve got great skin, I don’t need it!”
[The Pros and Cons of Botox](http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,232593,00.html)
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### Author:  [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2002, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botox-face-real-or-imagined-phenomenon/120402/2 "2002-07-23T19:32:30Z")
It’s real. My wife and I are friends with a dermotologist and his wife. My wife tells me that the woman says things like “so I can’t furrow my brow if I am concerned - it’s a small price to pay” and stuff like that. I notice that her eyebrows don’t seem to move that much, but I haven’t really been paying attention…
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### Author:  [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2002, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botox-face-real-or-imagined-phenomenon/120402/3 "2002-07-23T23:49:17Z")
The day Botox got FDA approval, Bill O’Reilly did a segment with a plastic surgeon and one of his “regular” patients, a lady in her early 50’s.
I know, O’Reilly can by obnoxious and annoying but this was funny. (Paraphrasing)
BO’R: Doc, all right enough about that. I want to ask your patient some questions.
Dr: Go Ahead
B’OR: Ma’am you think injecting this poison in your face makes you look younger or is vanity clouding you judgement?
Patient: Yes, I strongly endorse Botox injections
B’OR: Look Surprised
Camera on Patient: Expressionless face
B’OR: Look Scared
Camera on Patient: Expressionless face
B’OR: I can’t believe it, you can’t move your face! Can you at least Smile?
Camera on Patient: Expressionless face
B’OR: Oh this is too much! How about a frown?
(Patient obviously struggling to move her lip manages to get the left side of her mouth down 1/4")
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### Author:  [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2002, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botox-face-real-or-imagined-phenomenon/120402/4 "2002-07-24T00:31:58Z")
This is weird. People are so concerned with looking young that they are willing to sacrifice the ability to smile and frown.
Botox wears off and doesn’t do permanent damage. But with constant re-application wouldn’t the muscles in the face gradually weaken, atrophy, and shrink? And wouldn’t that make a person look a little freaky?
😑 \<---- eek smilie, after botox treatment
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### Author:  [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2002, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botox-face-real-or-imagined-phenomenon/120402/5 "2002-07-24T00:43:29Z")
🙂 ← Stealing someone else’s idea… Highlight that guy and you get teh result of many injections.