6 Alternatives to Botox for Achieving Anti-Aging Magic

Short of discovering the proverbial and illusory fountain of youth, the options for halting the aging process haven’t looked too promising. You could make a pact with Lucifer, become a vampire, go under the knife, or you know, get Botox (which can easily go overboard if you don’t receive it from the right place).

But thanks to advancements in technology and some little-known secrets, there are plenty of effective ways to get truly younger-looking skin—without fillers, surgery, or signing your soul away. And we’ve got everything you need to know about them, in one handy guide!

Alternatives to Botox

1. Laser Therapy

This is perhaps the most effective non-surgical option for getting more youthful-looking skin on the whole. Fractionated resurfacing lasers like Fraxel can improve tone and texture. With a week of a sunburned appearance afterward, you can even out dark spots while minimizing pores and improving skin texture.

These fractional lasers, the most popular of which is the Fraxel Restore, are considered ablative, which means they damage the top layer of skin to stimulate the skin’s natural healing process. This promotes the production of collagen, which results in healthier, younger-looking skin. Fraxel Restore is clinically successful for reducing the appearance of fine lines, treating acne scars, and the improving overall skin texture.

The Fraxel Repair is the non-ablative version, which means the top layer of skin is not wounded, for faster healing. Recently, the FDA approved a combination of the two technologies (the Fraxel Duo), which improves fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation without the weeklong recovery of the Fraxel Restore.

2. Micro Currency/Nuface

Micro current treatments involve gentle electrical stimulation to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin, catalyzing collagen and elastin production for overall toning and firming. Studies have shown that microcurrent facials increase collagen production by up to 14 percent, elastin by 48%, and blood circulation by 48 percent. Part of the improved muscle tone, firmness, and cellular activity means tighter pores, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and less puffiness.

With the Nuface device, it works simultaneously to repair and produce collagen in the dermis (the deepest layer of skin) while gently erasing signs of aging in the dermis (the top layer of skin). People love the instant and long-term effects. It’s non-invasive, there is no downtime, and it is safe and painless as one of the alternatives to Botox.

3. Radiofrequency Therapy

This generates heat to tighten loose skin—and as such, it’s a great option for a non-face-lift face-lift. These devices work by sending heat deep into the skin, which causes tissue tightening and collagen formation. For tightening the lower face and jawline, a favorite treatment is the ePrime. Clinical trials show that it produces about 35 percent the skin tightening effect of a face-lift, non-surgically. It uses a row of fine needles to deliver the radiofrequency underneath the skin, to the deeper levels where the collagen sits. There is typically no crusting or scabbing, as with lasers, and another great one of the alternatives to Botox.

4. Micro Needling

Micro needling or skin needling is a procedure that’s popular in Asia and Europe and starting to become more popular here in the U.S. Various devices puncture skin with very fine needles, stimulating collagen production. One recent study showed that skin needling reduced neck wrinkles by increasing collagen production. The effect is even better if you apply vitamin A (retinoids) and vitamin C at the same time.

There are various devices for micro-needling, although we recommend receiving this treatment from a professional facial only to maintain the cleanliness of the device, as at home devices cannot be sanitized the way a professional instrument can.

5. Light Therapy

LED (light-emitting diode) is a completely non-invasive type of light therapy that works by interacting with the skin’s cells to stimulate rejuvenation through increased collagen, which in turn results in a reduction of lines and wrinkles, faded scars, diminished age spots, smaller pores, and overall more even skin tone.

6. Cosmetic Acupuncture

It’s another less invasive way to tighten sagging skin and enhance overall tone. It helps to strengthen the muscles below the skin for a more taut appearance and increases blood flow to these tissues for collagen production. Like micro-needling and lasers, acupuncture works because the minor trauma from the insertion of the needles signals the body to create collagen, resulting in a more elastic and youthful appearance. Plus, another different one of the alternatives to Botox too!

Products and Facial Services at Botanica Day Spa

Some of the key types of anti-aging skin care at home are as follows:

• Ginkgo biloba leaf extract. It works to brighten the under-eye area and reduce puffiness by improving blood flow.

• Hyaluronic Acid. Hydrated skin = fewer fine lines and wrinkles while protecting the skin from receiving new ones.

• Vitamin C. Great for fighting dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It helps fight free radicals and brightens the skin for a more youthful glow!
• Retinol. Nightly use of this powerful vitamin A derivative can stimulate collagen and keep the skin youthful and elastic while minimizing fine lines. Nighttime is the best time to use products to refine the skin and encourage cell turnover, while the body is at rest.
• Finally, always use sun protection to prevent premature aging. UV light’s damaging effect adds up over a lifetime, and five minutes of exposure a day adds up. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of repair!

We hope you enjoyed these helpful tips for alternatives to Botox and as always, receiving a regular facial from Botanica not only refreshes your skin (plus we have amazing anti-aging facials available), but you also are consulted by our fabulous aestheticians who can recommend the best solutions for your skin concerns that you won’t be able to find in a beauty store! Call us today at 727-441-1711 to book your facial today!

Love,

Gen