"My Face Was Completely Paralyzed" – Ashley James on Anti-Aging Pressure and Injectable Dangers

The Complex Reality of Anti-Aging Treatments

When it comes to building a skincare routine, no matter your age, the influence of anti-aging messaging is hard to escape. From the promise of "preventative" measures to the latest products claiming to reverse time, the market is flooded with options. While some treatments, such as the best eye creams for wrinkles or the best facial sunscreens to prevent sun damage, have become staples in many daily routines, others require careful evaluation and consideration.

Ashley James, a TV presenter, recently shared her experience with masseter botox, a treatment that left her face completely paralyzed after the injection. “After about two days of getting it done, I realized I couldn’t smile,” she revealed on This Morning. “My face was completely paralyzed, and it’s only just worn off a few months later so I can smile again.”

Ashley received the treatment to address teeth grinding at night, but it's also commonly used for aesthetic purposes. Dr. Chloe Petrault, an aesthetic doctor at ALTA MediSpa, explained that when performed correctly by an experienced professional, masseter botox is generally safe and widely used for jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and facial slimming. However, she cautioned that the masseter muscle is located near other important facial muscles involved in expression. If the botox is placed too low or spreads to surrounding areas, it can temporarily affect those muscles, leading to partial facial paralysis in rare cases.

Dr. Fadi Hamadani, an aesthetic doctor and plastic surgeon, added that for those looking to treat teeth grinding, non-invasive alternatives like night guards or dental splints are available. For jaw slimming, energy-based devices such as Morpheus8 Burst or Forma can help contour the lower face by tightening and lifting the skin. These treatments don’t shrink the muscle but can create a more sculpted appearance without the risks associated with muscle relaxants.

During the same interview, Ashley discussed the pressure she felt around anti-aging treatments. “There’s this undeniable pressure with anti-ageing. The messaging is everywhere,” she said. “I used to say when I was younger, ‘I’m going to grow old gracefully,’ whatever that means. But now I really support people’s choices because the pressure is unbearable. We’re all consuming so many different images of people online.”

She also pointed out how injectables like botox are often marketed as “harmless,” with terms like “baby” or “preventative” botox being used to downplay the real risks involved. “I started because the messaging around me was, ‘The earlier you get it done, the more preventative.’ They call it ‘baby’ [botox], and it almost feels like it’s this harmless thing,” she said. “Now I feel like I’m in a bit of a trap because I actually don’t love getting these injectables and I feel really conflicted.”

Ashley admitted that she doesn’t necessarily like the way she looks after the treatment. “In this case, I couldn’t smile,” she added. “So it really impacts me. But then I also feel like, since I started, I’m a bit trapped in it because I don’t like how I look without it now that it’s worn off.”

Her comments resonated with fans of This Morning, who took to social media to share their own experiences. One viewer wrote, “You 'fix' one thing, then you get fixated with another. It’s so hard. We need to see more expression and texture on faces to ease the expectations women face as they age.” Another added, “Everyone is absolutely allowed to do whatever helps them feel most comfortable with themselves. I just wish we could change our relationship with ageing.”

The conversation around anti-aging treatments continues to evolve, raising important questions about beauty standards, self-perception, and the long-term impact of cosmetic procedures. As more people speak openly about their experiences, the dialogue around these issues becomes more nuanced and essential.