Should I Get Botox? Is It Really For Me?

The question of whether or not to get Botox is more complex than it first seems. Before deciding to pay an office copay and undergo a procedure that involves having needles injected into your face, it’s essential to be aware of all the facts. 

For many people, the answer to “Should I get Botox?” often relies heavily on what the other viable options may be. At MiamiMD, we focus our attention on getting results using only skincare products. 

Before you take the big step of scheduling a cosmetic procedure, we want to show you other alternatives that don’t cost as much and definitely aren’t as uncomfortable. 

Why Do People Get Botox?

If you’re wondering if you should get Botox, you’re probably considering it for a specific reason. Although Botox is used for reasons other than cosmetic purposes, like profuse sweating, migraines, and overactive bladder, it’s those visible age-related facial concerns that draw in most people. 

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approximately four million Botox procedures are performed yearly. But why?

The number one reason people cite for getting Botox is to minimize the fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Specifically, the wrinkles they want to target are located around the eyes (crow’s feet) and forehead.

These wrinkles are often called dynamic wrinkles, meaning that they are caused by the repeated movement of the muscles under the skin. The other fine lines and wrinkles common on the face, known as static lines, are better treated with dermal filler (like Juvederm).

Dynamic wrinkles are created by years of repetitive facial movements. Lifting your eyebrows in surprise, squinting your eyes in the sun — although these are often unconscious movements, they can take a lasting toll on your appearance. 

The problem with Botox is that, if not performed correctly by an experienced professional, you get that “tight,” emotionless look. Facial movements make us who we are and give us personality, so the goal shouldn’t be stopped or getting rid of them entirely. You want a product that helps you look your best so that you can continue to be yourself and enjoy life, right?

Botox Alternatives

Fear of looking too stiff, or concern for the actual process, leads many people to look into Botox alternatives. The good news is that they are out there, and many of them can give you the results you want without having to take it to an extreme.

When looking for alternatives to Botox, keep an eye out for ingredients that have similar soothing properties. For most people, the main selling point (and the reason they are willing to undergo injections) is its ability to significantly reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. 

The best place to start is recognizing the ingredients that can bring you those same benefits without the needles. 

MiamiMD’s Instant Wrinkle Eraser

As an example of what to look for, let’s dig into our Instant Wrinkle Eraser. 

Our Instant Wrinkle Eraser was designed to be a suitable Botox alternative, helping you reveal the results that you’re looking for without the need for injections. It targets the “senior shadows” inside fine lines and wrinkles on the face, which are a significant part of the reason they are so visible in the first place. 

To provide you with these benefits, Instant Wrinkle Eraser relies on two different active ingredients — Matrixyl Synthe-6 and Acetyl Hexapeptide 30. 

Matrixyl Synthe-6 is related to another ingredient featured in our skincare line, Matrixyl 3000. 

The “Matrixyl” category has a lot of potential for the skin, especially when it comes to plumping and firming. Boosting the collagen production in the face, Matrixyl has proven what it can do in a study performed by the University of Reading, which is a huge advantage to achieving a youthful appearance as you age. 

The other active ingredient, Acetyl Hexapeptide 30, is even more impressive. Although it is referred to by different names, such as Argireline, it is essentially a shortened form of the peptide sequence of Botox. That means that Acetyl Hexapeptide 30 can work on the same muscle to nerve connections that Botox does, creating fewer contractions of the facial muscles that it touches. 

When combined, the result is a more even skin tone and less visible fine lines and wrinkles. Sound familiar? Those are the same benefits that people cite seeking out Botox to achieve, with zero needles involved. 

All you need to do is cleanse your skin, apply Instant Wrinkle Eraser, and follow with a moisturizer — all in the privacy of your own home.

When Should I Get Botox?

If you’ve explored all your alternatives and are still interested in pursuing Botox, you’re probably wondering when you should start. The answer to that question is very individual and takes a few different factors into account.

First, although you can always stop doing Botox injections at any time, and as soon as they wear off, your skin will return to the way it was before. That means if you want to keep up your smooth, youthful appearance, you’ll need to maintain a regular Botox routine. That’s a lot of commitment, especially if you’re in your 20s or 30s. 

There’s also the idea of preventative treatment. Instead of performing Botox injections to treat fine lines and wrinkles, some people believe in starting them before noticing any significant issues in the first place. 

However, in addition to the commitment involved with having Botox injected around four times a year, you’re also adding years to the length of the time frame as well. 

For that reason, most skin care professionals recommend starting with a quality skincare routine instead of jumping right to cosmetic procedures. 

When Should I Start Using Anti-Aging Products?

If the answer to “should I get Botox?” is “no,” the next obvious question is “when should I start anti-aging products?” 

The good news is that, unlike Botox, which requires multiple procedures a year to keep up with your results, anti-aging products can be started and maintained a lot sooner. There isn’t any inherent “harm” to starting almost any skincare product, even in your late teens. 

The main goal of most skincare products directed at anti-aging is to produce and maintain collagen in the face. In our teens and early 20s, our collagen production naturally keeps up with the amount of degradation that happens. 

As we pass that mark, though, the degradation speeds up, and the production slows down. This lack of collagen is responsible for so many visible signs of the skin’s aging process.

When you use a skincare product that helps boost collagen production, it can help you get ahead of the game. Keeping your collagen levels high means that it will take longer for fine lines, wrinkles, and thinning of the skin to be visible. Although it will happen to everyone eventually, supportive skincare products can help you keep your youthful appearance as long as possible. 

To Summarize

While Botox isn’t for everyone, invest in quality skincare products before taking the leap and starting down a road that requires multiple procedures a year. 

MiamiMD products can give you many of the results you’re looking for with Botox, using only topical skincare options. You’ll be shocked and amazed at how your skin can look without expensive, uncomfortable cosmetic procedures. Start today — you have nothing to lose. 

Sources:

The Surprising Uses of Botox | Penn Medicine

2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report | American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Impact Case Study | University of Reading