Two sides to Botox

Grace Sweeney

Botox is becoming one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures used among women today. Whether you want to get rid of wrinkles or to plump your lips, Botox could be your best friend! However, don’t forget that it comes with both pros and cons.

These cosmetic procedures have a positive impact on people’s lives, with over 50% of women who use Botox saying that it boosts their self-confidence.

Botox can even be used to help medical problems such as migraines, lazy eye, and sweating problems. It’s quick, relatively painless, and really works.

The downside of Botox is that it’s not permanent, so if you wish to maintain your procedure, you’ll have to have it injected at least twice a year which leads to another con, as it can be pricy.

The average cost of one anti-wrinkle treatment is €170, and lip filler treatments tend to start at €300.

These treatments can be risky and could affect your facial expressions. Since Botox has the power to paralyse muscles, if injected incorrectly, it could prevent squinting or leave you with a constant surprised or frowned expression.

According to a survey by AtOnce.com, the average age that women start using Botox is 29, however 80% of females aged 25-34 have tried Botox at least once.

If Botox isn’t for you, don’t worry as there are some natural, less invasive alternatives that you can try.

Cosmetic acupuncture helps to improve facial elasticity and hydration which in turn reduces the appearance of wrinkles. This treatment is a natural alternative and is based off Chinese medicine.

A natural treatment you can try in the comfort of your own home is micro needling. This involves puncturing the skin with tiny needles which stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. As a result, it can improve the appearance of sun damage, scarring, pores, lines, and wrinkles.

With its antioxidant properties, skincare products that contain vitamin C are another natural option. It boosts collagen production, fighting wrinkles and fine lines.

Retinol skincare products also work as a natural alternative to Botox. Retinol stimulates collagen production resulting in fewer wrinkles and speeds up cell turnover, giving you smoother skin and reduced discolouration. It also improves the elasticity of the skin as well as reduces inflammation.