Is Botox a Skincare Bully?
Why does everyone do botox? Of course, this is partly because it works but mainly because FOMO is also a powerful tool. People are more afraid of the repercussions of not doing botox (or other neuromodulator brands – we're loosely using the word "botox" to mean all brands in this blog) than they are of getting the procedure done. That's what makes botox, what we’re calling, the most notable “skincare bully.” Of course, we aren't anti-injectables – far from it! But we have some insider advice before you book that botox appointment.
It's important to understand that while botox can temporarily freeze the muscles that cause wrinkling, it's not a solution for healthier skin. The post-botox glow that a few people talk about is a short-lived mirage, lasting only a few days at most. A comprehensive skincare plan is necessary for lasting results that make skin look brighter, smoother, and more even.
Think about young people's skin. It's not the lack of fine lines you notice because plenty of early 20-year-olds already have crow's feet and forehead wrinkles. You see their skin looks even, glowy, and "fresh." To keep that through your 30s and beyond requires healthy living and the right professional skincare products. Exfoliation, peptides, lipids, and hyaluronic acid (to name a few) will give better results than botox to other people's untrained eyes.
Notice how medispas rarely educate you about their skincare products? This baffles us. Patients spend hundreds and thousands on heavy-duty treatments that will fade, and then they skimp on the products by not getting professional advice. There may be guilt associated with suggesting you spend more money on serums when botox is a hefty bill already. There may be a lack of education with the providers, or they think injectables far and away trump needing to wash your face. We don't know, but this is another reason botox can be a “bully” that steals the spotlight from products that will continue to make skin look buoyant in the long term – even after the botox wears off.
Just like botox doesn't add glow to your skin, botox doesn't add collagen back into your skin either. If you are approaching life deep in your 30s, you understand that skin starts to sag and droop as we make less and less collagen and lose elasticity. Skincare can help build collagen through peptides, retinoids, AHAs, and other exciting ingredients and treatments. And fillers and facelifts can definitely help in that department, but they can come with consequences you might never be able to undo and still won't give your skin the glow we're all after.
No matter what, over the years, you will lose some collagen; that's a sign of a life worth living. But don't count on botox to make your skin look plumper and younger. All it will do is erase lines. And if you are opting for botox but skipping sunscreen, we are very concerned about your decision-making!
Actress Jodi Foster says turning 60 was one of the best days of her life. We should be in the era of embracing getting and looking older. Still, sadly, too many of us have been brainwashed to think otherwise. Botox is a tool that can empower you to take charge of your face and fix what you don't like (just like skincare). Still, it can also easily be a “bully” that keeps you running from the fact you are changing and aging. Botox isn't about balance or acceptance, it's about a relentless pursuit of perfectionism. We know the real truth that no one has perfect skin. That comes from within. So, if you decide to use botox, don't let it use you – only you dictate your relationship with aging.