Is this the end of injectables? Here are the Botox alternatives to know now
The Botox alternatives to brighten, tone and hone, and the products and techniques that encourage better skin without the toxin
Botox Alternatives
You can spot 'bad facial work' from a mile away. Over-filled lips and frozen foreheads used to be the preserve of the red-carpet regulars and socialites. However, with the rise of cheap Botox sessions and duck-like pillowy lips seen on too many 20-somethings, it perhaps now feels a little vulgar. But, of course, each to their own – and if that's the look you want, then absolutely go for it.
With the cheapening of these procedures (and a largely unregulated practice), there's also been a rise in complications and complaints. Save Face, a national register of accredited practitioners campaigning for improved safety standards, received 2,824 complaints last year regarding unregistered practitioners. The figures, which cover reported complications from treatments, among other issues, are up from 2,436 in 2021 and 2,083 in 2020. Ashton Collins, director of Save Face, said: 'The laws currently in place for non-surgical cosmetic procedures are not being followed or enforced.'
It's a very unregulated industry – so always choose your practitioner wisely.
Those erring on the side of 'like me but better' can find treatments that could be seen as alternatives to Botox or something you can add to your skin protocols.
It's something that Dr David Jack, one of London's leading aesthetic doctors, knows all about. 'Throughout my career in aesthetics, I have pushed for a more natural and holistic approach to anti-ageing treatments. While Botox and fillers are an important part of this, I still see patients terrified of looking "done". So over the years, I've developed an approach to treatments that involves sensible dosing of fillers and Botox in combination with biostimulators, treating the face as a whole – rather than the all-too-common cookie-cutter approach. I generally will start with very small volumes of filler and Botox before moving on to injectable biostimulators such as Profhilo, in combination with fractional treatments such as Morpheus8.'
Natasha Clancy agrees, 'When you use treatments to stimulate collagen and keep skin healthy from the inside and out, you are less likely to turn to injectables.' Her clinic offers hi-tech Korean facials with Lutronic non-ablative thulium laser to combat sun damage, scarring, fine lines and more, and is getting results that clients love. The best facialists in London can be found here.
So what are the treatments you need to invest in? Dr Jack says, 'The treatments I rate most highly as alternative or adjuncts are fractional RF treatments (like Morpheus8) and biostimulators including Profhilo and Nucleofill. All of these treatments work similarly: stimulating dermal fibroblast cells to produce more collagen and elastin. Results are sometimes quite subtle, but they should be viewed more as a longer-term investment in your skin as they increase your dermal reserve, so you should (in theory) age less than had you not done the treatments!'
See: Dr Sophie Shotter, Illuminate Skin Clinic, POA
Click here
See: Dr David Jack, POA
Click here
The treatment involves injecting small amounts of Profhilo into specific points on the face to stimulate collagen and elastin production, which can help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is often used on areas such as the cheeks, jawline, and neck, but can also be used on other parts of the body.
One of the key benefits of Profhilo is that it provides deep hydration to the skin, which can help to improve its texture and luminosity. The treatment is minimally invasive and typically requires only two sessions four weeks apart, with results lasting up to six months. Profhilo is a popular choice for individuals who want to achieve a more youthful, radiant complexion without undergoing more invasive procedures such as surgery.
See: Dr Joney de Souza, from £450
Click here
After one month of use, this LED mask has been proven to take up to three years off the look of your skin for a firmer, lifted and younger-looking visage. It's the home investment piece that is effective.
myBlend My LED Mask, £995 – buy here
You can't go wrong with Medik8; it's loved by plenty of derms we know, and for a reason – the scientific formula of retinyl retinoate is twinned with crystal-stabilised retinaldehyde, two powerful forms of vitamin A, along with ceramides and encapsulated peptides that offer real results.
Medik8 R-Retinoate Youth Activating Cream, £229 – buy here
After 15 years of scientific research, Boots No.7 has just launched Future Renew. The best product in the range is the serum – its highly potent peptides garner visible results in one week to reduce skin damage, fine line, wrinkles, uneven tone and texture, dryness and loss of laxity.
No.7 Future Renew Serum, £42.95 – buy here
With the cheapening of these procedures (and a largely unregulated practice), there's also been a rise in complications and complaints. Save Face, a national register of accredited practitioners campaigning for improved safety standards, received 2,824 complaints last year regarding unregistered practitioners. The figures, which cover reported complications from treatments, among other issues, are up from 2,436 in 2021 and 2,083 in 2020. Ashton Collins, director of Save Face, said: 'The laws currently in place for non-surgical cosmetic procedures are not being followed or enforced.'
It's a very unregulated industry – so always choose your practitioner wisely.
Those erring on the side of 'like me but better' can find treatments that could be seen as alternatives to Botox or something you can add to your skin protocols.
It's something that Dr David Jack, one of London's leading aesthetic doctors, knows all about. 'Throughout my career in aesthetics, I have pushed for a more natural and holistic approach to anti-ageing treatments. While Botox and fillers are an important part of this, I still see patients terrified of looking "done". So over the years, I've developed an approach to treatments that involves sensible dosing of fillers and Botox in combination with biostimulators, treating the face as a whole – rather than the all-too-common cookie-cutter approach. I generally will start with very small volumes of filler and Botox before moving on to injectable biostimulators such as Profhilo, in combination with fractional treatments such as Morpheus8.'
Natasha Clancy agrees, 'When you use treatments to stimulate collagen and keep skin healthy from the inside and out, you are less likely to turn to injectables.' Her clinic offers hi-tech Korean facials with Lutronic non-ablative thulium laser to combat sun damage, scarring, fine lines and more, and is getting results that clients love. The best facialists in London can be found here.
So what are the treatments you need to invest in? Dr Jack says, 'The treatments I rate most highly as alternative or adjuncts are fractional RF treatments (like Morpheus8) and biostimulators including Profhilo and Nucleofill. All of these treatments work similarly: stimulating dermal fibroblast cells to produce more collagen and elastin. Results are sometimes quite subtle, but they should be viewed more as a longer-term investment in your skin as they increase your dermal reserve, so you should (in theory) age less than had you not done the treatments!'
THE BEST BOTOX ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
For: crepey skin around the eye
If you're concerned about laxity or crepey skin around the eyes, then Sofwave is a game-changer. This innovative ultrasound technology uses Parallel Beam Technology, which is FDA-approved for lifting the eyebrow and tightening the skin around the eyes, face, and neck. It can reduce fine lines and wrinkles while providing an up-to-4mm lift – all without surgery or fillers. Plus, it can be used for other areas of the face and neck and delivers visible results in a single treatment, leaving the skin smoother, tighter and lifted.See: Dr Sophie Shotter, Illuminate Skin Clinic, POA
Click here
For: smoother, lifted skin
Morpheus8 is a non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) technology and microneedling to stimulate collagen production and tighten sagging skin. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used on the face and body to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of ageing, and improve skin texture and tone. Morpheus8 combines the benefits of traditional micro-needling with the added benefit of RF energy, which penetrates deeper into the skin to provide more dramatic results. The procedure involves using a handheld device that delivers tiny needles into the skin to create microchannels while simultaneously emitting RF energy to heat the skin and stimulate collagen production. This combination of microneedling and RF energy can help to smooth out wrinkles, tighten sagging skin, and improve overall skin quality. Morpheus8 is a popular treatment option for clients who want to improve their skin without undergoing surgery or experiencing significant downtime.See: Dr David Jack, POA
Click here
For: plumped, hydrated skin
Profhilo is a type of injectable treatment used for skin rejuvenation and hydration. It is composed of highly concentrated hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the body which helps to hydrate and plump the skin. Unlike traditional dermal fillers, which are designed to add volume to specific areas of the face, Profhilo is used to improve the overall quality and appearance of the skin.The treatment involves injecting small amounts of Profhilo into specific points on the face to stimulate collagen and elastin production, which can help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is often used on areas such as the cheeks, jawline, and neck, but can also be used on other parts of the body.
One of the key benefits of Profhilo is that it provides deep hydration to the skin, which can help to improve its texture and luminosity. The treatment is minimally invasive and typically requires only two sessions four weeks apart, with results lasting up to six months. Profhilo is a popular choice for individuals who want to achieve a more youthful, radiant complexion without undergoing more invasive procedures such as surgery.
See: Dr Joney de Souza, from £450
Click here
THE BOTOX ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS
The treatments that have proven results to make a difference to your skin
myBlend My LED Mask, £995
After one month of use, this LED mask has been proven to take up to three years off the look of your skin for a firmer, lifted and younger-looking visage. It's the home investment piece that is effective.
myBlend My LED Mask, £995 – buy here
Medik8 R-Retinoate Youth Activating Cream, £229
You can't go wrong with Medik8; it's loved by plenty of derms we know, and for a reason – the scientific formula of retinyl retinoate is twinned with crystal-stabilised retinaldehyde, two powerful forms of vitamin A, along with ceramides and encapsulated peptides that offer real results.
Medik8 R-Retinoate Youth Activating Cream, £229 – buy here
No.7 Future Renew Serum, £42.95
After 15 years of scientific research, Boots No.7 has just launched Future Renew. The best product in the range is the serum – its highly potent peptides garner visible results in one week to reduce skin damage, fine line, wrinkles, uneven tone and texture, dryness and loss of laxity.
No.7 Future Renew Serum, £42.95 – buy here
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