6 Botox Alternatives You May Want to Know About�

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Interested in botox but scared to try it out? Here are a few alternatives that will help keep your face in shape.

It�s the stiffness in your cheeks when you crack a smile, the �pulled-back� look you make when your face is completely still and quite always � it�s the miraculously non-droopy eye bag. But really, how desirable are tedious injections to the face once every few months? 

Botox, otherwise known as the brand name of a toxin made by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum is commonly used around the eyes and on the forehead. Once injected, they block certain chemical signs from your nerves, mostly signals that cause muscles to contract. And here, is where the common use of these injections comes in; to relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles. 

Now, if you think you�re way beyond the use of natural hacks, think again. There are plenty of non-invasive procedures to consider. From high-performing alternatives to natural face lifters, you can add to your bedtime routine � these are some of the best methods.

Gua Sha 

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine (dating back to the Ming Dynasty), this jade or quartz beauty tool is known to alleviate muscle soreness and sculpt the skin. By gently scraping it upwards along your neck, cheeks, and forehead � the body�s blood flow will increase, improving skin quality. Some even do it behind the ears where tension strikes. It�s best used with a facial oil to ensure smooth motion and can be repeated up to twice a day. 

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Facial Cupping 

A method reportedly used by A-list celebrities, Jennifer Anniston and Cindy Crawford, facial cupping takes after the traditional method of putting glass, circular cups all over the body. Cupping therapy is an ancient form of medicine where steaming cups are left on the skin for a few minutes to create suction. It assists with pain, inflammation, blood flow and can be viewed as a type of deep-tissue massage. Normally, you�re left with intense circular bruises (means that it�s clearing out the toxins in the tissues!), but products for the face are made out of silicone instead, so these won�t be too rough.

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Face Patches

Widely known as Frownies, these patches first appeared on Tiktok this year when user @literallylizzi tested them. Painless and easy-to-do, these micro-needle patches are to be placed on the forehead, under the eyes, the cheeks and the chin. Before plastering them on, a mere 10-second massage is required to stimulate blood flow which is followed by leaving the patches overnight for results (which are usually positive after extended use!).

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Ultherapy

Developed by Merz Aesthetics in the United States, ultherapy is a non-invasive facelift procedure focused on jump-starting the body�s own collagen production. By running a laser device (that is completely painless) around the face � the ultrasound technology tightens the skin, tackling fine lines, wrinkles and visible pores. You may need to find the correct clinic to do this as not all of them provide ultherapy. Dependent on your chosen clinic, you�ll come to find a gradual improvement in the texture of your skin. 

LED Light Therapy

If you�re looking to give your skin a brighter, rejuvenated look � there�s nothing better than LED light therapy. LED light therapy comes in the form of an electronic face mask that can be worn for up to 30 minutes a day. The mask has various colour wavelengths of visible light (red for stimulating collagen synthesis, blue for treating acne breakouts and yellow for reducing redness) that seep into the skin, aiding whichever skin concern you may have. Completely painless and perfect for delaying the ageing process � you�ll get a healthier-looking complexion in no time.

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Microcurrency 

Arguably a treatment that is quite similar to botox (just without the prickling pain), microcurrent technology has become the beauty treatment of the internet. How it works is the microcurrent sends gentle levels of electrical waves to penetrate through the skin and facial muscles, which stimulates collagen and elastin production. In the end, you�ll be left with firm, glowing skin. 

An added bonus is if you can find a product that implements LED light facials (we pick GlowGear Pro�s 3-in-1 microcurrent device). This way, you�ll have plumper skin from the subtle vibrations and banished breakouts from the lights.

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Written by

Shanti Parmanand

Shanti is a Hong Kong-born writer who will be finishing her final year of Fashion Journalism at Central Saint Martins. When she�s not writing about lifestyle and wellness, you�ll find her watching rom-coms, jamming out to deep house tunes, or sipping on a hot cup of matcha.