Botox® is the most well-known wrinkle-erasing injectable in the beauty industry.
Many people report that they have Botox to thank for their youthful looks, but the treatment may not be suitable for everyone. Some people are afraid of needles, want a longer-lasting anti-aging solution, or have a condition called Botox resistance and are looking for alternatives. Also, Botox is typically used for dynamic muscles in the upper face. Sagging, wrinkled skin around the neck and jowls may benefit from a different treatment.
This article provides information on the best Botox alternatives for skin rejuvenation, helping you choose the treatment that best meets your aesthetic goals.
What Else Can You Use Instead of Botox?
Vibrant Skin Bar recommends the following alternatives for those who are hesitant to try Botox. Some of these procedures we offer in our med spa, so schedule a free consultation with our skin experts to discuss your desired results and options. Other options are at-home solutions that provide more subtle results but save time and money.
Professional Botox Alternatives
Professional cosmetic treatments are performed in med spas and clinics. They are minimally invasive and don’t require downtime, so many patients schedule them during lunch breaks and in between other engagements. It is essential to have an experienced medical provider perform the treatment to prevent undesired side effects and ensure the best results.
1. Neurotoxin Injectables
Botox is a trademarked neurotoxin injectable, but other brands also use the same substance to eliminate wrinkles. FDA-approved neurotoxin alternatives to Botox include Dysport®, Xeomin®, Jeuveau®, Daxxify®, and Letybo®.
Ingredients
These injectables have the same main ingredient as Botox: botulinum toxin. However, they all have a slightly different structure, inactive ingredients, and dosing techniques.
Note: Discover the differences between Botox and its competitors:
How They Work
Botulinum toxin is injected into the target muscle, blocking nerve signals to the muscle and causing it to relax and stop contracting. Limited muscle movement helps smooth existing wrinkles and prevent the formation of new ones. Neurotoxin alternatives to Botox are only approved for glabellar lines, but experienced medical professionals safely use them in other facial areas as well.
Note: Discover the best treatments for forehead lines.
How Often to Use Them
Neurotoxin injectables are usually administered every 3-6 months to maintain results. The frequency of sessions depends on the patient’s skin condition.
How They Benefit the Skin
Neurotoxin injectables smooth the skin and reduce or eliminate fine lines and wrinkles in the target area. They improve skin texture and provide a more youthful, refreshed look.
Price
The cost of neurotoxin injectables ranges from a few dollars to $25-30 per unit. Patients require a different number of units depending on the type of neurotoxin injectable, treatment area, and severity of wrinkles. For example, patients typically need twice as many units of Dysport as of Botox for the same area.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates the average cost of a neurotoxin injection treatment to be $435.
At Vibrant Skin Bar, one unit of Dysport costs $4.50 and a unit of Xeomin is $12.50.
2. Dermal Fillers
While neurotoxins work on erasing dynamic wrinkles caused by moving muscles underneath the skin, dermal fillers smooth static wrinkles that appear due to loss of skin elasticity. Our skin experts at Vibrant Skin Bar use Juvéderm®, Restylane®, Sculptra®, Versa®, and Radiesse®, depending on the patient’s needs. Check out our Fillers vs. Botox comparison article to learn more about the differences.
Ingredients
These are the main ingredients in dermal fillers based on filler type:
| Dermal Filler | Main Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Juvéderm | Hyaluronic acid (HA) |
| Restylane | Hyaluronic acid (HA) |
| Versa | Hyaluronic acid (HA) |
| Sculptra | Poly-L-lactic aid (PLLA) |
| Radiesse | Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) |
How They Work
Dermal fillers are injected under the skin to restore lost volume, support areas with thinning or lax skin, and smooth wrinkles. Fillers instantly volumize the skin but also increase collagen production, providing long-lasting plumping and smoothing effects.
How Often to Use Them
The recommended frequency of filler administration depends on the type of filler and the patient’s goals. HA-based fillers typically last 6 – 12 months, sometimes longer (especially thicker formulations used for the cheeks). Sculptra and Radiesse may last up to two years. Follow-up treatments are usually scheduled within these time frames.
How They Benefit the Skin
Dermal fillers are best known for their tissue volumizing effect. They plump up the mid-face area, smooth nasolabial folds, and provide volume to lips. They effectively treat wrinkles as well. If you’re looking to treat wrinkles on your cheeks or chin, fillers are a great solution.
Price
The total cost of dermal filler treatment depends on the patient’s skin concern and the recommended filler type.
At Vibrant Skin Bar, dermal filler prices per syringe range from $625 for Restylane L and Juvéderm Volbella to $850 for Restylane Eyelight and Juvéderm Voluma.
3. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a minimally invasive treatment suitable for various skin issues, including acne, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging. They are classified into light, medium, and deep peels, depending on the concentration of acids in them.
Note: Learn more about chemical peel types and how they can resolve your skin issue.
Ingredients
Light peels usually contain alpha and/or beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs), such as lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids. Medium peels are formulated with trichloracetic acid, glycolic acid, or Jessner’s solution. Deep peels contain phenol acid and sometimes other ingredients (TCA, salicylic acid, etc.).
How They Work
Acid solutions in chemical peels exfoliate the skin, dissolving and eliminating dead cells, excess melanin, scar tissue, excess sebum, and other impurities. The process triggers the body’s natural healing process and increased collagen production. The newly formed skin is softer, smoother, tighter, and clearer.
How Often to Use Them
Light and medium chemical peels can be used monthly, depending on the chemical solution’s strength and concentration. Deep peels are typically performed once because of the long recovery and impressive, long-lasting results.
How They Benefit the Skin
Chemical peels reduce oiliness, unclog pores, prevent acne breakouts, diminish acne scars, improve skin tone and texture, and contribute to a refreshed, rejuvenated look.
Price
At Vibrant Skin Bar, light chemical peels cost $99 and medium peels cost $129.
Schedule a chemical peel treatment with a reputable, experienced provider who can determine a safe and effective combination of acids for your skin type.
4. Microneedling
Microneedling is a popular, minimally invasive treatment for various skin concerns. It uses tiny needles to enhance collagen production and remodel the skin. Unlike Botox, microneedling needles are very short and don’t penetrate the skin but only create microscopic punctures on the surface.
How It Works
The microneedling device creates controlled, superficial injury, which initiates the body’s healing mechanisms and collagen and elastin synthesis. The increased production of structural skin proteins results in more resilient and smoother skin.
How Often to Use It
Medical providers recommend an initial set of three to six treatments, depending on the patient’s unique skin condition. They recommend spacing the treatments four to six weeks apart. After that, the results are usually maintained with annual or bi-annual sessions.
How It Benefits the Skin
Microneedling provides numerous skin benefits, including firmer skin, diminished dark spots, a brighter complexion, fewer acne scars and stretch marks. The advantage of microneedling over chemical peels and laser is that it is safer for dark skin tones.
Price
At Vibrant Skin Bar, one microneedling session costs $300.
5. Vivace Microneedle RF
Vivace microneedling combines microneedling with radiofrequency and LED light therapy for superior results.
How It Works
The microneedling device makes superficial wounds on the skin, much like during a regular microneedling session. However, the device also delivers radiofrequency heat waves and LED light through the needles into dermal layers to further stimulate collagen and elastin and tighten the skin. Used together, these three techniques provide quicker and more dramatic results.
How Often to Use It
Like microneedling, Vivace RF microneedling is usually performed as a set of several treatments spaced four weeks apart. The results can be maintained with annual sessions.
How It Benefits the Skin
Vivace produces new collagen and elastin, tightening and lifting the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and fading blemishes, scars, and stretch marks. It can be used in all skin areas (face and body) and on all skin tones.
Price
At Vibrant Skin Bar, Vivace microneedling for the face or chest costs $800 for one 60-minute session. Vivace for the neck costs $750.
6. Microcurrent
Microcurrent is a popular facial described by patients as the workout for the face.
How It Works
As we age, the muscles and skin start to sag. Microcurrent stimulates the muscles and skin by delivering a low-grade electrical current to your face using two probes with opposite electrical charges. This “workout” strengthens the facial muscles and increases circulation, slowing down and reversing aging. The treatment is also great as a lymphatic drainage massage that reduces puffiness and improves complexion.
How Often to Use It
To maintain tight, supple, and smooth skin, providers recommend touch-up treatments every four to six weeks.
How It Benefits the Skin
Microcurrent improves blood circulation and increases collagen production, helping to lift the skin and reduce puffiness. With regular monthly treatments, patients can experience fewer wrinkles, improved elasticity, and firmer and smoother skin.
Price
At Vibrant Skin Bar, the Microcurrent facial costs $50. It can also be combined with dermaplaning, Oxygen Infusion, and HydraFacial for the ultimate skin indulgence. The treatment is called The Trifecta and costs $399.
7. Laser Resurfacing
A laser resurfacing treatment involves sending light energy into deep skin layers, stimulating collagen production, and revealing cleaner, clearer, and smoother skin.
How It Works
The laser device directs concentrated light energy into the skin, where it is absorbed by chromophores, such as water, melanin, and hemoglobin. This energy converts to heat, which removes damaged or aging cells, breaks down excess melanin, and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin.
Depending on the treatment, some lasers are more invasive, also removing the skin’s surface layer. While these procedures involve longer recovery, they deliver more dramatic and longer-lasting results.
How Often to Use It
The frequency of having laser treatments depends on the type of laser. More invasive, ablative lasers deliver more dramatic results that can last for several years. Less invasive, non-ablative lasers provide results that last for up to one year. Patients can maintain the effects with regular sessions every six months.
How It Benefits the Skin
Laser resurfacing treats various skin concerns. It reduces or fades wrinkles, age spots, large pores, acne scars, rosacea, blemishes, and other irregularities, improving skin tone and texture. It can also eliminate spider veins and decrease skin laxity.
Note: Learn how the innovative BBL laser works and how long the results last.
Price
Vibrant Skin Bar offers several laser treatments, including BBL, Forever Clear, and Halo. The prices range from $300 for Forever Clear to $2400 for Halo Pro. Our friendly medical professionals will examine your skin and recommend the right laser resurfacing for your skin type and concern.
8. Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been around for centuries as an alternative medical therapy. It is typically used to reduce pain and improve overall wellness, but it can also help erase wrinkles.
How It Works
Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny needles across designated points on the face to help improve blood circulation, skin elasticity, and hydration. The result is tighter and plumper skin with fewer wrinkles and fine lines.
How Often to Use It
Acupuncture is safe for use weekly. Cosmetic professionals typically recommend 1-2 weekly sessions for a month or two, followed by maintenance sessions every few months to sustain the results.
How It Benefits the Skin
Acupuncture stimulates the body’s healing response, collagen production, and blood circulation. These processes detoxify and tighten the skin, reduce inflammation, improve hydration.
Price
Acupuncture prices vary depending on the provider’s expertise and location and the patient’s skin goals. Session costs range from $100 to $500+.
9. Plasma Pen
The Plasma Pen is an innovative Botox alternative that delivers powerful lifting and anti-aging results.
How It Works
During the treatment, a pen-like device sends thermal energy mixed with oxygen and nitrogen (plasma arc) into the skin, causing controlled injury. The body starts producing collagen and elastin to heal the skin and this results in greater firmness and a smoother complexion.
How Often to Use It
Patients usually need one to three treatments to achieve the desired effects. They may repeat the procedure after a few years.
How It Benefits the Skin
The Plasma Pen offers several benefits, including firmer skin, fewer wrinkles, reduced under-eye shadows, minimized scar tissue and stretch marks, decreased age spots and hyperpigmentation. Results can last for an extended period.
Price
Plasma Pen treatments cost approximately $400 - $2000, depending on the provider’s expertise, the salon location, and the patient’s skin condition. Contact our skin professionals at Vibrant Skin Bar to create a customized treatment.
10. Frotox
Frotox is a 20-minute procedure known as cryo-facial. This cryotherapy facial involves exposing the face to intense cold to increase the blood flow and provide numerous benefits to the skin.
How It Works
A device filled with liquid nitrogen is placed beside the nerves that control facial muscles. The nerves are put into temporary hibernation, relaxing the muscles and smoothing wrinkles. The intense cold also increases blood flow, brightening and firming the skin.
How Often to Use It
Cryo-facials provide subtle, short-lived results, requiring more frequent sessions. Patients typically need an initial set of 6-12 weekly treatments, after which they can maintain results with monthly sessions.
How It Benefits the Skin
Frotox improves blood flow, tightens the skin, and stimulates collagen production. These effects contribute to brighter and firmer skin with a reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Price
The cost of a single Frotox treatment ranges from approximately $50 to $150, depending on the cosmetic provider’s location and treatment duration. The total price depends on the number of required sessions.
11. Surgical Procedures
The last resort for erasing wrinkles involves going under the knife. Some options involve surgically disabling the muscle that has caused the wrinkles to appear. This can be done by cutting into the muscle or removing it altogether. Other options are the famous facelift, eyelift, and brow lift.
Unlike other Botox alternatives on the list, surgery is invasive, involves more risk, and requires longer recovery. As always, talk it through with your doctor and surgeon, and never proceed with anything you’re unsure about.
At-Home Botox Alternatives
There are plenty of home solutions for fine lines and wrinkles. They provide subtler and more gradual results with consistent use. However, they save time and money and come with fewer risks than professional cosmetic treatments.
1. Facial Creams and Serums
Many skincare products claim to have anti-aging powers. It’s important to know what to look for in the ingredient list so you can determine if the product will deliver results. The best anti-aging compounds are retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide and alpha hydroxy acids.
Retinoids are forms of vitamin A that erase wrinkles over time. Some come as prescription medication while others can be bought over the counter. When looking for retinoids in your cream, look for words such as retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate.
Topical vitamin A makes the skin more sun sensitive so use retinoids at night and don’t forget your sunscreen the next day.
Vitamin C can affect collagen production and is a common ingredient of antioxidant creams and serums. Look for the word L-ascorbic acid on the packaging and keep these products stored in a dark, cool cabinet to protect their efficiency.
Ask your medical provider or aesthetician for advice. They will examine your skin and recommend products that really work.
Note: Check out these Vibrant skincare products infused with microbiome-friendly, neurocosmetic ingredients. They are designed to improve the skin’s natural ability to heal and combat skin aging.
2. Face Patches
Frownies, or face patches, are sticky patches that smooth out wrinkles. You place them on areas where you’re prone to wrinkles, and the paper on the patches temporarily “freezes” the muscles, much like Botox.
This is a painless method and, unlike injectable treatments, quite inexpensive. Since face patches are non-invasive, they don’t require downtime or cause side effects like bruising and swelling.
Face patches have to be used every night for 30 nights and then at least three nights a week to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. However, satisfied patients are proof that this is an excellent Botox alternative.
3. Face Saver Balls
Face Saver Balls are rubbery balls invented by fitness trainer Yamuna. The treatment involves moving a rubber ball across the face to increase circulation and work out the facial muscles. It claims to reduce skin sagging by improving skin health.
Women as young as 20 can start using the Face Saver Ball, as its magic rests on prevention.
4. V-TOX
V-TOX cream is a natural alternative to Botox designed by celebrity facialist Linda Meredith. Linda wanted to offer her clients a wrinkle-erasing treatment with no health risks or side effects. V-TOX consists of natural neuropeptides and algae. These ingredients surround the muscle with proteins to prevent strong facial contractions.
There is also a V-TOX facial treatment performed in spas. Unlike Botox, V-TOX is not injected but applied to the skin.
Botox Alternatives FAQ
In the section below, we answer some of the most common questions about Botox alternatives.
Why Consider Botox Alternatives?
Botox is the top choice of treatment for dynamic wrinkles. However, it is not for everyone. Some people are averse to needles, prefer a more natural approach, or want to treat several skin concerns at once, not just wrinkles. Treatments like laser and chemical peels address multiple skin issues and are suitable alternatives to Botox.
Are Botox Alternatives as Effective as Botox?
Some Botox alternatives are as effective as Botox, especially other neurotoxin injectables that use the same ingredient (botulinum toxin). The effectiveness of any treatment depends on the patient’s unique skin condition and the treatment plan.
Can Botox Be Combined with Botox Alternatives?
Yes, Botox can be combined with some Botox alternatives, including fillers, peels, microneedling, and laser. Consult your medical provider about the best way to combine these treatments.
What Is the Best Alternative to Botox?
The best alternatives to Botox depend on your goals and needs. If you want the exact same results as with Botox, choose other neurotoxin injectables, such as Dysport and Jeuveau.
In addition to treating wrinkles, the treatments listed above provide other benefits, including more volume (fillers), firmer skin (microneedling and laser), reduced hyperpigmentation (peels), increased hydration (serums and creams), etc.
Conclusion
Botox and its wrinkle-erasing effects are well known, but the cosmetic industry offers many amazing treatments for people who want to reverse or prevent aging signs.
Vibrant Skin Bar we provide some of the best Botox alternatives, so schedule a consultation with our friendly team to help you achieve your desired look.
