Considering Botox? Read This Before You Do!
There’s nothing wrong with getting Botox done. No one likes wrinkles, dark spots and saggy skin. And let’s face it, with so much environmental stress and other factors, our skin really needs some help every now and then.
Wrinkles on the forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes and loose skin around the neck and chin can be really off-putting. In fact, some individuals feel quite conscious of these signs of ageing, although there’s nothing to be ashamed about.
But before you go and spend over $200 on Botox treatments, you may want to read up on this miracle retinol moisturizer.
What is Botox?
Made from Botulinum, a toxin that’s also found in our stomachs during food poisoning (yikes!), the chemical is injected into the skin to stop the nerve and muscle from communicating. This leaves you with smoother lines and taut skin.
Sure, it sounds appealing – but wouldn’t you prefer a safer alternative to reduce signs of ageing?
How Does Botox Work?
Botox is basically a neurotoxin; it is a form of type A botulinum toxin. This toxin is injected using an ultra-fine needle into certain areas of your face that require targeted treatment. Botox helps block nerve signals in the target area, which prevents your facial muscles from contracting and allows your skin to remain taut, smooth, and unwrinkled.
Enter Retinol!
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that is used topically to regenerate skin. It helps to boost the skin’s natural exfoliating and renewal process, diminishing fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots and gradually tightening your skin and making it look youthful.
The best way to reap retinol benefits is by investing in a great retinol product, like night creams or serums.
Retinol vs. Botox
Before you confirm your Botox appointment, here are some facts you may want to consider.
Longevity
Botox: Turns out, one treatment of Botox is supposed to keep your skin taut for about an average of 3.5 weeks. Meaning your skin will begin to loosen and wrinkle again in less than a month.
Retinol: Retinol takes around 6 – 12 weeks to show its effects. Although slow, it doesn’t work in reverse – your fine lines and dark spots will continue to diminish.
Areas That Can be Treated
Botox: Botox can help treat wrinkles and fine lines on the forehead, eye area, and even lip lines. Not only does it help get combat crow’s feet, but it can also be injected to relax the dimpling of the chin, and into the jaw muscles to create a slimmer appearance. In certain cases, a dermatologist might also use Botox to treat certain medical conditions, such as excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.
Retinol: Retinol is safe to use all over your face. It helps get rid of wrinkles, fine lines, and even acne from your forehead, cheeks, chin, under eyes, etc.
Pain and Discomfort
Botox: Botox is a pretty quick procedure that isn’t considered painful by majority of people. However, some people suggest that you may experience minimal discomfort during the injection process. The good news is that this pain and discomfort doesn’t continue after the procedure is completed. Botox also doesn’t require any anesthesia or recovery time. This is why some people even schedule their Botox injection appointments during lunch break.
Retinol: Since retinol is a topical treatment, it doesn’t involve any pain at all. However, the only reservation is that retinol causes some discomfort during the first few uses. You might experience some redness and itchiness when you first start applying it, but when you start seeing the results after a few weeks, the discomfort will be worth it!
Results
Botox: Every patient has a different body composition and different skin. So, the results can vary. However, most patients will begin noticing results between 3-7 days after receiving a Botox injection. For some people, it might even take up to 2 weeks to notice its effects.
Retinol: As effective as retinol is, it may take a few weeks to see proper results. Certain over-the-counter retinol options require months of regular use before any results begin to appear. Many dermatologists suggest that you need to use retinol for a few weeks before you can notice any visible changes. However, it won’t take more than 12 weeks to see major improvements in your skin.
The Side Effects
Botox: Research done on Botox recipients revealed that inflammation, numbness, bruising and red welts are very common side effects of the treatment. Patients who have asthma or are prone to allergies may suffer from reactions, wheezing, dizziness and severe itching. Long term effects of Botox can cause loss of sensation in the areas, muscle weakness and spasms due to the toxins being constantly administered.
Retinol: Overusing Retinol can cause an allergic reaction, but that’s the extent of it. Doctors recommend using retinol products only twice a week for the first two months for prolonged benefits. For sensitive skins, retinol creams should be used once a week and paired with an emollient.
The Price
Botox: One shot of Botox can cost around $10 - $12, but to really see effects, doctors may recommend a treatment that may cost up to $200 - $600 and will have to be redone after a while. So it’s quite pricey.
Retinol: Luckily, Retinol products can cost around $10 or even $180, depending on how much you’re willing to splurge.
Botox vs. Retinol: The Verdict
There’s nothing wrong with opting for Botox treatment or cosmetic surgery. A majority of women today find themselves in an impossible situation: first, they are criticized for growing old, and then they are criticized for altering themselves cosmetically. However, there’s one magical ingredient that can help bail you out from such a situation, and that is none other than – retinol!
Botox and Retinol are two popular skincare treatments, each with unique characteristics and purposes. Botox, a brand name for a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is primarily used for cosmetic purposes to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It works by temporarily paralyzing muscles, which prevents the formation or deepening of wrinkles caused by facial expressions.
Botox is often used in areas such as the forehead, around the eyes, and between the eyebrows. It's a quick, minimally invasive procedure with results that typically last for several months. In contrast, Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and is used topically in skincare products. Unlike Botox, Retinol doesn't affect muscle movement but works by accelerating skin cell turnover. This helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, and can improve skin texture and tone.
Retinol is known for its long-term skin rejuvenation benefits and is widely used in anti-aging creams and serums. It's important to note that Retinol can cause skin sensitivity, especially to sunlight, and it may take several weeks or months to see significant results. When choosing between Botox and Retinol, factors like the desired outcome, skin type, age, and lifestyle should be considered, and it's often beneficial to consult with a dermatologist to determine the most suitable treatment for individual skincare needs.
This vitamin A derivative is a wonder skincare ingredient; one that really works! Anti-wrinkle Retinol Creams help stimulate collagen production, increase cell turnover, unclog pores, and even out pigmentation. Moreover, it also thins out the topmost layer of the skin, creating a more luminous and firmer appearance.
Even though Retinol and Botox are both great options to reduce aging signs, retinol is minimally invasive and has more long-lasting benefits to offer.
Try out the Retinol Moisturizing Cream by ML Delicate Beauty to give your skin some-much needed rejuvenation and relief from aging signs and acne. With retinol, it’s all about the long game!
So what’s it going to be? Are you Team Retinol or Team Botox? Talk to us – and in the meantime, check out our favorite retinol cream (yes, we’re team Retinol!)
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About Author:
Jennifer Valdino is a Facialist and Skincare Expert. She frequently shares her general approach to caring for your skin through many public speeches. Jennifer truly understands how confidence having a bad skin can be, and she’s passionate about sharing her knowledge for tackling it. She knows first-hand how skin is so intrinsically linked to confidence as well as the best science-backed method to handle it.
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Opinions expressed are those of the writer.
3 comments
I appreciate the information you shared because I’m thinking about getting botox treatment. I now feel relieved and reassured that there’s nothing to worry about. awaiting this procedure to restore my youthful radiance.
Neeley,
You are making the right choice. The Jojoba seed oil, Coconut oil and the Glycerin are the 3 ingredients from the Retinol Restorative Moisturizer that will make the difference by deeply penetrate your skin and leave a luminous facial skin.
I am definitely going to be trying Retinol first before getting Botox. I am so scared I will react horribly to the botox and just look ridiculous. Plus, Retinol is so much cheaper and easier.