16 Aug Why “Botox in a Bottle” Doesn’t Work (and Why We Still Love Botox)
You’ve probably seen several people boasting of “Botox in a bottle,” whether via a supplement or topical treatment. It’s a nice, alliterative promise, but the reality is that ingestible products and topicals simply don’t work like injectables. At RefinedMD, Botox remains the most-requested injectable and pairs well with several treatments (surgical and non-surgical). Let’s consider what Botox actually is and what these so-called Botox in a bottle options are—and re-discover why you love Botox so much.
Botox is a neuromodulator that is injected into muscles that you want to temporarily paralyze. These are the muscles that cause frowning, creases, and lines. When used as a pre-juvenation method, Botox trains these muscles to be and stay weak so that younger clients (those in their 20s) can enjoy fewer wrinkles for longer. Botox takes 5 – 7 days on average to take full effect and lasts about six months on average depending on the injection site and units used. After that first week, you’ll enjoy a face that is youthful, smooth, and wrinkle-free. There’s no denying that it works, and over time Botox has shown to be useful for a variety of other concerns ranging from migraines to excessive sweating. When you inject a product into the muscle that stops it from moving, you’re also going to stop those wrinkles.
Supplements and Topicals
There are benefits to some supplements and topicals. For instance, sunscreen is an absolute must and it’s obviously a topical—there is no better way to safeguard skin when it is exposed to UV rays. However, there is no topical that is actually going to stop lines and wrinkles. It’s important to keep skin hydrated and moisturized, even if you consider yourself as someone with oily skin. Hydrated skin is going to appear suppler and with fewer wrinkles, which makes medical-grade moisturizer a great pairing for Botox. There are some topicals, such as retinols, that can certainly help decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles over time. However, they can also be irritating, costly, and require a strict regimen. Again, these can also be paired with Botox.
Supplements simply do not help with lines and wrinkles, though of course a healthy diet is key for healthy skin. Our skin is an organ. Someone with a healthy diet often has healthier skin than others. That isn’t always the case because genetics and sun damage also play a role. However, if you see a so-called Botox in a bottle and it is a supplement, it cannot in any way be compared to the real injectable Botox. It won’t be effective in that regard and works in an entirely different manner. What can be (somewhat) compared to Botox is fillers. But that gets into a gray area.
Botox vs. Fillers
Botox and fillers are both injectables, but that’s where the similarities end. Botox, as we know, freezes muscles. Fillers literally fill the target site with an ingredient (usually synthetic hyaluronic acid) to create or restore volume. In turn, this may also help with wrinkles because when you fill an area, you’re going to be filling some wrinkles. However, the goal of Botox and fillers is completely different. They can still be used well together, and often are, but address two different signs of aging. Botox tackles wrinkles by paralyzing muscles while fillers create volume to fill out hollowed areas.
Both Botox and fillers are considered minimally invasive treatments because needles are required. A numbing agent may be applied, especially with fillers, 45 – 60 minutes prior to the injection. HA fillers provide immediate results, though some swelling may occur in the first few days after your injection. Botox and fillers also should only be injected by a trained professional. The quality of the product can be quickly negated by the skill (or lack thereof) of your provider. That’s why at RefinedMD we only have highly-trained, experienced injectors to help you achieve your goals.
We also recommend a customized skin care regimen using medical-grade products. Topicals do matter, but they can’t take the place of injectables. Finding the right routine and products, both at-home and in-office, is essential for getting and keeping the results you’ll love. To schedule your consultation or appointment for Botox, get in touch with RefinedMD today by calling the office or filling out the online contact form.