Botox (Botulinum toxin) is a popular anti-aging treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It works by paralyzing the muscles around the injection site stopping your face from making movements that create wrinkles.
Botox eventually wears off, so upkeep is required every 3-6 months for lasting results. It’s pricey and can run you a few hundred dollars for every visit, depending on how many units you get. While effective, paralyzing the facial muscles can stop the lymphatic flow, and fascia movement, and cause the surrounding muscles to work 2x as hard to make up for the frozen facial areas.
Typically botox treatments would begin around mid-late thirties or forties once the signs of aging had started to creep in. Now preventative botox use has begun with some beginning as early as age 18-20. Getting Botox that young is super unnecessary and a drain on a young person’s wallet.
A good rule of thumb if you’d like to try Botox is to wait until lines are formed and don’t disappear when your facial muscles are relaxed. Anything before that is redundant.
If you’re not thrilled at the thought of needles in your face or are looking for more natural and holistic approaches to aging, then test out these natural alternatives to Botox instead. While the frozen face has become more normal, human facial expressions and emotions are a beautiful thing. Test out these natural botox alternatives at any budget to age naturally and gracefully.
1. Microneedling-
Microneedling is typically done in a dermatologist’s office or med spa. It uses a tool with microneedles to puncture the skin to create small tears leading to skin regeneration and collagen production. The skin will likely have some redness for a couple of days post-treatment.
Microneedling is on the pricier side and can run you around $1000 depending on the city and the clinic you visit. You can also do microneedling treatments at home that are much easier on your wallet. At-home treatments shouldn’t exceed 5mm needles as anything longer than that can cause damage if not left to a professional.
2. Chemical Peels-
A chemical peel is a strong exfoliant that sloughs off the top layer of your skin reducing skin discolouration, fine lines, and wrinkles, and tightens pores leaving an overall brighter and glowing complexion.
There are different levels to chemical peels, some go deeper and remove more skin layers than others. Which peel is best suited to your skin will depend on your skin concerns. Whatever shade your skin colour is will also depend on which peel will work best for you as some are not suited for darker skin tones. Depending on the strength and type of peel, chemical peels can run you around $200-$6000
Light peels- Alpha hydroxy acid AHA Beta hydroxy acid BHA
Medium peels- Trichloroacetic acid
Deep peels- Phenol peels
3. Face Tapping-
An easy and inexpensive way to reduce lines and wrinkles from forming is by using silicone patches or kinesiology tape. At night before bed use this on the areas that crease the most like the 11 lines between the brows, the forehead, and smile lines.
This method is not a one-and-done but requires consistent use to prevent deeper lines from forming. The inexpensiveness of this method makes it an easy task to keep up with.
4. SPF-
As a preventative measure, SPF will help slow down the signs of aging immensely. Harmful UV rays cause sun damage called photoaging leading to wrinkles, decreased collagen, and sun spots. While not noticeable right away this damage will accumulate and show up over time.
Even during the winter months get into the habit of using a daily SPF of at least 30. If you spend time indoors in front of a sunny window or driving in a car with direct sunlight you’ll still want to include SPF. Use sunglasses to protect the sensitive skin around your eyes and a hat whenever possible.
5. Hydrate-
A simple and inexpensive way to keep your skin looking fresh is to consistently and adequately hydrate. Since your body is mostly water, staying hydrated will ensure your skin stays plump and dewy.
Dehydration will lead to dehydrated-looking skin. Limit things that dehydrate you like excess coffee, sugary drinks, and alcohol. Reach for your recommended water intake and water-heavy fresh fruits and veggies like watermelon and cucumber.
Spruce up your H2O by making your water intake a luxury experience. Make spa water with ingredients like mint, rosemary, lemon, cucumber, grapefruit, limes, and thyme.
6. Microcurrent Devices-
Microcurrent devices are like a workout for your face. With consistent use, they use low-level electrical currents to lift and sculpt the muscles of the face. Microcurrent devices aim to reeducate the muscle while also promoting collagen and elastin.
Most online microcurrent devices can run you anywhere from around $200 to $700 so they should only be purchased if you can realistically stick to the practice consistently for the best results. They’re not recommended for use if you’re pregnant, diabetic, have epilepsy or seizures, or have a pacemaker.
7. Healthy Lifestyle-
While botox will give you instantaneous results a healthy diet and lifestyle will keep your skin youthful and fresh in the long run. Drinking enough water, exercising regularly, getting enough and adequate sleep, limiting alcohol, and not smoking slow down the signs of aging for years to come. Although you might not see the results right away, years later you’ll be grateful if you kept a relatively healthy lifestyle.
8. Skincare Routine-
A well-thought-out and intentional skincare routine is a long-term solution instead of a quick fix. Finding the right products that work with your skin and budget may take trial and error. Using products that your skin wants and needs instead of what’s trendy is your best bet.
Healthy Aging Skincare Products:
-Retinol for cell turnover
-Vitamin C for brightening complexion
-Hyaluronic acid for moisture retention
-Niacinamide for pores and to protect the moisture barrier
-Peptides like Argireline can reduce muscle movements in the face for a needle-free botox alternative.
To keep your skin barrier alive you’ll want to add products one at a time into your routine. If any product is not reacting well you can easily find the culprit. Things like retinols need to be slowly incorporated starting with once a week and then increasing to 2x a week to not overburden your skin layer. Powerful topical anti-aging products like Trentonian can be recommended by a dermatologist if needed.
9. Gua Sha-
A gua sha is a traditional Chinese technique that uses a stone tool with edges that shape around the ridges of your face, neck, and decollete to lift and sculpt facial muscles, improve circulation and blood flow, and drain lymphatic fluids.
Gua sha’s are inexpensive and can be used to give yourself an at-home spa treatment. Light a candle, get a facial oil or moisturizer that your skin can handle and gua sha away any stress and tension. You’ll want to glide the tool at around a 30-degree angle and have enough product on your face so the gua sha glides across your face, neck, and decollete instead of dragging.
10. Facial Massage-
If you don’t have a gua sha or any other tools, you can simply massage your face with your fingers. Face yoga and facial massage when done regularly can reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles by reducing tension and promoting blood flow.
Make sure you have clean hands and use a product that allows for gliding on the skin without breaking you out. YouTube has several videos you can follow along with to give yourself consistent facial massages for free.
11. Red Light Masks-
You’ve probably seen these contraptions popping all up over Instagram. Red light therapy masks use red light to penetrate the layers of skin to promote collagen and elastic production. This reduces the look of wrinkles, and tightens, brightens, and plumps the skin.
Some masks depending on the price might also include blue light and near-infrared light. The cheaper masks might start around $150 while the pricier ones can run up to $5500. Don’t spend money on these masks unless you can commit to regular use. Results don’t typically show up until around 4 weeks later.
Final Thoughts-
While botox is the quickest and most effective way to reduce lines and wrinkles, you’re injecting your face with a toxin that paralyzes the muscles in your face, reduces lymphatic flow, and might lead to the surrounding muscles working overtime. It’s pricey, requires upkeep, and includes needles if you’re not a fan.
While some of these natural alternatives are still pricey you can start with the cheaper options like facial massage, hydrating, a healthy lifestyle, and using a daily SPF. If you need to add more to your routine begin with an intentional skincare routine, use a gua sha, and face tape at night.
If you’re in the mood to shell out some money test out red light therapy masks, microcurrent devices, microneedling, or chemical peels. Whatever your lifestyle or budget there are many natural alternatives to Botox that you can try to keep your skin glowing with all your natural movements still intact.
As always wishing you peace & tranquility, xo.
