Best Botox Alternatives for Treating Frown Lines

Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion Kit

This kit comes with everything you need to improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The Microdermabrasion Treatment helps remove dull skin, while the Peel Activator Serum resurfaces your skin’s texture. This product is gentle enough to be used twice a week and is suitable for all skin types.

Philosophy Microdelivery Peel

Widely recommended by the vast majority of users, Philosophy Microdelivery Peel uses lactic and salicylic acids to deeply exfoliate the skin, while vitamin C and peptides help stimulate new skin growth.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that involves applying dozens of tiny needles to pierce the outer layer of the skin. Research shows that this stimulates the production of collagen, which helps fill in superficial wrinkles and improves skin tone, making it a good alternative to more invasive procedures.

Microneedling can be done in the comfort of your own home. However, as with any cosmetic procedure, most people achieve better results by going to a cosmetic professional.

Microneedling Pros

• Creates firmer, smoother skin.
• Non-invasive treatment with minimal downtime.
• Can be used anywhere on the body.
• Relatively low risk of hyperpigmentation.
• Quick recovery time.

Microneedling Cons

• The effects are more subtle than some other treatment options.
• Results are not immediately visible. Many patients require three to six treatment sessions, spaced roughly one month apart, before noticing any difference.
• Not suitable while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Recommended At-Home Microneedle Brands

Stacked Skincare Micro-Roller

Designed to be safely used at home, the Stacked Skincare Micro-Roller boasts 0.2 mm needles that gently micro-exfoliate the top layer of the skin to create a more youthful complexion.

Linduray Skincare Derma Roller Kit

Featuring 0.30 mm needles, the Linduray Skincare Derma Roller Kit is a great entry level product for newcomers to microneedling. The kit includes three free instructional e-books to help you get the best results.

Beauty Bioscience GloPro Microneedling Regeneration Tool

One of the most luxurious and feature-laden microneedling products on the market. The Beauty Bioscience GloPro Microneedling Regeneration Tool features patented needles, LED lights and vibrating effects that work in synergy to rejuvenate the skin.

Facial Creams

The market is awash with facial creams that claim to prevent the signs of aging. However, the effectiveness of over-the-counter facial creams varies significantly depending on the active ingredients they contain and how your body responds to a specific product. Common active ingredients include:

• Retinol
• Vitamin C
• Tea extract
• Hydroxy acids
• Collagen

Facial Cream Pros

• Available everywhere.
• Can be very cost-effective.
• Can be applied in minutes as part of your daily skincare routine.
• Many hypoallergenic options for people with sensitive skin.
• Some products are suitable for use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Creams containing retinoids, salicylic acid and beta hydroxy acid should be avoided.

Facial Cream Cons

• No single solution. A product that works for one person may not necessarily work for you.
• Facial creams are not closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor subjected to the thorough testing that medical products must go through.
• May take weeks to notice any improvement.
• Provides modest results. May be good for general skin health but can’t really treat facial lines.

Recommended Facial Cream Brands

LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream Moisturizer

Designed for daily use, LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream Moisturizer is a retinol cream that comes packed with a range of organic ingredients, including vitamin E, green tea, hyaluronic acid and more.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair is specifically designed to target wrinkles. This product features a unique formula comprised of Retinol SA, glucose complex and hyaluronic acid, which work together to reduce the appearance of fine lines and protect your skin from sun damage.

TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Moisturizer

A very popular product that uses vitamin C as well as vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to treat the signs of aging. Users report brighter, fresher skin, improved skin tone and less visible fine lines.

Acupuncture

Most commonly used in pain management, acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular way of treating wrinkles. It works by using dozens of fine needles to promote blood flow, which hydrates the skin and increases facial elasticity, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Acupuncture Pros

• Completely natural. No chemicals are injected or applied to the body during any part of the procedure.
• The holistic nature of acupuncture means the treatment can improve your overall wellbeing in addition to treating wrinkles.
• Almost no pain.

Acupuncture Cons

• There are limited studies on the cosmetic effects of acupuncture. Its effectiveness in treating wrinkle is still not fully understood.
• May need 10+ treatments spaced 4-8 weeks apart to see results.
• Not suitable for people with bleeding disorders or uncontrolled type 2 diabetes due to potential bruising.
• Not suitable while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound therapy has long been used to treat musculoskeletal issues, but you may be surprised to learn that it’s also gaining a reputation as an effective Botox alternative. It works by focusing ultrasound energy below the surface of the skin to promote collagen production, thereby tightening loose skin.

Ultrasound Therapy Pros

• Non-surgical, can be performed in your doctor’s office.
• FDA approved for use in the treatment of wrinkles above the brow, on the neck, under the chin and on the chest area.
• Results last for 18-24 months.
• No downtime after treatment.

Ultrasound Therapy Cons

• Expensive. Treating a full face and neck can cost between $2,500-$5,000 or more depending on your geographic location.
• Treatment is quite uncomfortable.
• Not suitable while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment involves using intense pulsating beams of light to remove damaged skin layer by layer. It’s used to reduce wrinkles, acne scars and improve overall skin tone. Two different types of lasers can be used to treat wrinkles, including:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2): Provides more dramatic results but requires longer recovery time. Better suited to fair skin types.
• Erbium: Mostly used to treat superficial blemishes. Works on most skin types and requires less downtime after treatment.

Laser Treatment Pros

• Provides long-lasting results of about one to three years.
• Can improve the appearance of scars, sun damage and discoloration in addition to treating wrinkles.
• Reduces the size of enlarged pores, which can improve skin tone and texture.

Laser Treatment Cons

• Can be painful depending on the treatment area and your sensitivity to pain.
• Treatment involves downtime. Deep laser treatments such as ablative lasers may require a few weeks of recovery.
• Better suited to people with lighter skin due to their lower risk of discoloration.
• Increased sun sensitivity for up to one year.
• Not suitable while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Takeaway

Botox might be the go-to treatment for dealing with wrinkles, but it’s far from your only option. There are many at-home and professional anti-wrinkle treatments that vary quite significantly in effectiveness, price and recovery time.

Ultimately, the best treatment option depends on your unique anatomy and cosmetic goals. Get professional opinion from our Medical Review Team