We study celebrity faces for tell-tale signs of plastic surgery and which stars have managed to pull it off
There has been a 30 per cent increase in Botox in the past year making the cosmetic treatment more popular than ever
IT’S been 15 years since Botox got the go-ahead to become a wrinkle-blaster – and what a frown-inducing history it has had.
From botched jabs to allergic reactions, the cosmetic treatment famed for “freezing” the faces of celebrities often hits headlines for the wrong reasons.
But at Dr Rita Rakus’ London clinic, Botox is more popular than ever, with a 30 per cent rise during the past year.
The drug was approved for cosmetic use by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2002.
It started a worldwide Botox boom, with high street salons – and even Boots in the UK – offering injections.
For many stars, a biannual Botox jab has become as normal as booking a massage.
Here, LYNSEY CLARKE picks some pumped-up personalities and asks Dr Rakus if they are pricked to perfection or have gone too far.
Drastic plastic
Donatella Versace
Fashion designer Donatella Versace, 61, began using Botox in the early Noughties and once said: “I don’t believe in the natural look for women.”
- Dr Rakus says: “Her smooth forehead is a strong indication she has had Botox and from this photo I believe she’s also had lip enhance- ments.”
Barry Manilow
Singer Barry Manilow, 73, looks inflated when compared with his younger days and has been the subject of Botox rumours.
- Dr Rakus says: “His face has changed quite drastically – he has substantial volumis-ation in his cheeks, as well as Botox.”
Mickey Rourke
Actor Mickey Rourke, 64, took a battering when he was a boxer back in the Nineties and it is suspected he has had surgery to fix his face.
- Dr Rakus says: “In addition to ageing and weight gain, I suspect Botox is one of the many treatments he has had done.”
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Silly syringe
Melanie Griffith
Actress Melanie Griffith, 59, recently said she has been having her fillers dissolved.
- Dr Rakus says: “I would suspect Melanie has had facial injectables as her cheeks look plumper and she doesn’t really have any frown lines.”
Courteney Cox
Friends’ Courteney Cox, 52, said: “I have done things I regret, and luckily they’re things that dissolve and go away.”
- Dr Rakus says: “Courteney has expressed regret in having too much work done. Always consult a qualified cosmetic doctor.”
Simon Cowell
Talent guru Simon Cowell, 57, says everyone on TV has Botox and that it is like “brushing your teeth”.
- Dr Rakus says: “Simon once said he has had too much Botox. His eyebrows have dropped – a common side-effect of too much Botox above the brow.”
Pitch perfect
Nicole Kidman
Actress Nicole Kidman, 49, has tried Botox in the past but says her youthful look is down to sunscreen.
- Dr Rakus says: “Nicole looks fantastic. It may be that she has had ‘Baby Botox’, where a tiny amount is injected to get a more natural look.”
Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford, 51, is a fan of Botox. She said: “To restore elasticity, all I count on is vitamin injections, Botox and collagen injections.”
- Dr Rakus says: “Cindy is ageing gracefully. The lines around her eyes are visibly reduced and her cheeks are fuller.”
Gavin Rossdale
Bush singer Gavin Rossdale, 51, looked youthful as a judge on The Voice.
- Dr Rakus says: “This recent photo of Gavin shows more fullness in his cheeks. He also has less of a dimple in his chin, leading me to think he may have had subtle fillers and Botox.”