Botox
Like it or not, Botox use is on the rise among people of all ages. Botox or ‘baby Botox’ is one of the most trending topics among Gen-Zs and millennials alike. Living in a culture where tweakments are both so visible and readily available also contributes toward the anxiety around aging, something that is already entrenched too deep in our society. This has created a culture that seems unaccepting of natural changes in appearance that come with age. People observing this regularly may start to experience appearance dissatisfaction and develop unhealthy fixations with looking a certain way.
However, if paying a premium to inject botulinum toxin (the active ingredient in Botox that stuns the muscles in the face to control wrinkles and fine lines) into your face doesn’t align with your health-conscious values, don’t worry! In this article, we’re going to discuss science-backed natural alternatives to Botox that can help reduce wrinkles, skin aging, and sagging.
Acupuncture Face Lift.
If you’re looking for Botox alternatives that don’t involve needles, this one may be for you. Acupuncture Face Lift involves the placement of ultra-fine needles along the face, neck, and hairline to promote the flow of energy and reduce signs of aging. According to research, Facial acupuncture can be helpful for
- Reducing fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck
- Improving skin elasticity
- Enhancing the overall health of the skin
- Enhancing facial blood circulation
- Improving skin pigmentation and texture
- Enhancing muscle thickness
- Reducing brown spots
Like Botox, the results of facial acupuncture are not permanent, and follow-up sessions would be required to reap long-lasting benefits. However, some people do report lasting results just from a few sessions especially if they are working with an acupuncturist to address other health issues contributing to skin aging.
Facial yoga
If you’re not big on needles, then facial yoga can be a good alternative to Botox for you. Facial yoga is a series of at-home facial exercises designed to strengthen and improve facial muscle tone which gives a more youthful appearance. Preliminary evidence on facial exercises indicates their various benefits like
- Improved facial fullness
- A more youthful appearance
- A 3-year reduction in age appearance after 20 weeks of facial exercises for 30 minutes daily
Proponents claim that facial exercises can also help with other signs of aging like sagging skin, double chin, wrinkles, and dullness. Facial exercises can be a non-invasive and inexpensive way of combating signs of aging, however, they do require a time commitment as it takes consistency to see results.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy (RTL), also known as cold laser therapy or low-level light therapy, is a type of low-wavelength light therapy used for various skin and health concerns including aging. It is believed to work by supporting cell energy production which helps boost cellular functions such as healing, resisting free radical damage, and growth. When the skin cells are healthy, it results in improved skin health and a youthful appearance.
The science of red light therapy is relatively new and far from settled, however, evidence suggests that it can help with:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Boosting collagen production
- Reducing UV damage
- Scarring
- Wound healing
- Inflammatory response
- Improving skin texture and tone
Red light therapy devices are readily available in the market making them more accessible to the general public. Typically, continued use is recommended for best results. The evidence on red light therapy is few but initial studies do suggest that red light therapy can be a non-invasive, and non-toxic method for reducing the signs of aging and improving skin health.
Facial Gua Sha
Gua Sha, or jade rolling, is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment that has recently become a modern beauty craze. Gua Sha treatments involve using smooth stones, such as jade or quartz, to massage or scrape certain areas of the skin to reduce pain, increase blood circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and stimulate the flow of Qi (energy) to restore balance.
When it comes to combating signs of aging, it is believed that Gua Sha stimulates specific facial meridians that promote blood circulation, thereby improving appearance, boosting skin brightness, and even temporarily reducing signs of aging.
Despite its recent popularity, research on its potential benefits for skin health is lacking. However, there is evidence that it increases blood circulation and lymphatic flow and may have anti-aging effects under proper stimulation.
However, the results of Gua Sha are gradual and require consistency to achieve over time. A Gua Sha session requires proper technique to avoid skin pulling which can create even more wrinkles if not used properly.
Conclusion
Various tried-and-tested natural methods of anti-aging have been hailed as the best solution to stop the effects of aging from bogging down your skin health. However, the research and evidence to support the efficacy of these treatments have been severely lacking.
If you’re someone caught in the crossfire of work and personal commitments, taking the time to maintain consistency in your beauty regimen might be a difficult task. In such scenarios, Botox does come out as the most lucrative option to erase the signs of aging and restore the vitality and youthful appearance of your skin. At Alive Wellness Clinics, our team of expert skin specialists and dermatologists, boast 25+ years of experience in best-in-class skin treatments including delivering Botox safely and effectively. Book a consultation and turn back the clock on your skin now.
