If you lean toward more natural choices for your skin and body, managing the onset or prevention of wrinkles via Botox injections might not appeal. But hey, maybe you still would like to minimize those fine lines just the same. There’s no shame in that. There’s also no shame in rocking those wrinkles. It’s your individual choice. While there are certainly some ways to do minimize lines through regular skin care (another topic for another blog—stay tuned), I tried a few “Botox alternative” facials to see if any of these treatments had a significant immediate or lasting impact on reducing wrinkles like the typical injectable (3-4 months). Here’s what I found out.
3 Botox Alternative Facials, Tested:
CryoFacial
My experience: I laid down on a massage table in a relaxing, dimly lit room as a cryotech (the cryotherapy version of an esthetician) used a vacuum-esque hose to waft cold nitrogen vapors (-256 °F, to be exact) across my face, neck, décolleté, scalp and hands for about 12 minutes. It felt soothing until just before the 10-minute mark when my frozen visage was ready for warmth again. It’s the fastest facial ever, but supposedly boasts major skin benefits for any age, including stimulating collagen growth, tightening, killing bacteria that creates acne, reducing inflammation and treating some chronic conditions, such as eczema. My cryotech said the most noticeable results would appear after a series of five treatments one week apart.
Bottom line: I only went for one session, but my skin felt tighter and glow-y afterwards. I know from regular (body) cryotherapy sessions that this cold treatment seriously reduces inflammation, which can impact the skin in positive ways. Can it completely smooth out wrinkles like Botox, though? Probably not, but it’s a great addition to your overall skin care and wellness routine.
Acupuncture Facial
My experience: This service utilized the tiniest of acupuncture needles to stimulate circulation and increase blood flow to my face, improve muscle tone and reduce under-eye bags and wrinkles for a more youthful appearance. The number of needles an acupuncturist would use varies from person to person, but like my session, you can expect around 20 in the face, ears and neck. My acupuncture included 14 in the body, too, to benefit overall wellness. I’m particularly sensitive so while I didn’t feel some needles at all, others were on the ouch side of the spectrum (just for a split second). Once the needles are in, I relaxed on the massage table for 30 minutes or so under a silver Mylar blanket with the room’s lights off.
Bottom line: The only visible result I saw after one treatment was, unfortunately, a slight bruise on my lip. That said, the acupuncturist recommended a series of 13 over the course of 10 weeks for the best results. This is a major financial and time commitment (both much more than a Botox treatment), and you’d really have to be invested in a) wanting to soften wrinkles and b) wanting to do it in a totally natural way to sign on for this. That said, I’m a big fan of acupuncture’s wellness benefits for the body. So if you’re getting regular acupuncture already, why not ask your acupuncturist to pop a few needles in your face while they’re at it? Can’t hurt…or can it? ;)
Microcurrent Facial
My experience: My esthetician began the 60-minute treatment with a luxurious facial cleanse before hooking me up to the high-tech microcurrent machine’s electrodes (similar-looking to an EKG machine). The applicators used a low electric current to stimulate muscles and treat fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. It didn’t hurt, but I felt a tingling sensation and some facial muscles twitched. To gain the full benefit, around eight weekly sessions are recommended, as well as a maintenance treatment every three or four months.
Bottom line: I felt very relaxed, but didn’t see any obvious skin results post one service, and wasn’t willing to commit to eight weeks in a row as well as the maintenance plan, though this is more cost-efficient than Botox would be, depending on where you go and how often you get it.
Though all of these treatments were interesting to try, and likely have benefits after repeated sessions, they wouldn’t be my go-to for significantly reducing the look of wrinkles.
You might also like this topic: How to Give Yourself a Lymphatic Facial Massage