Botox is a poison used medically to stop sweating and can also be used to stop frowning, hence why it’s used to reverse wrinkles and prevent new ones. However it not only stops you making expressions, but as a medical product, each fresh batch is tested on cutey mice. Campaigners want a law change. Because now that it’s illegal to use animal testing for cosmetics in the UK, this is a loophole which should not be in place. Botox is also painful and expensive, and makes you look odd.
There are far better ways. One is to just accept that as we get older, we get a few laughter lines. The other is to look after yourself (more water over wine, a self-care routine, relax, do yoga, don’t bake in the sun and eat well). All of these will do far more for your skin than anything you buy.
Frownies have been around since the 30s, when Hollywood stars would wear them overnight, before heading to Oscar night. These are temporary fixes, but harmless and eco-friendly. You basically stick them on your face for a few hours to ‘iron out wrinkles’ and then when you take them off – your wrinkles return! But if you’re having a special night out, they are lot cheaper and less painful then Botox.
The adhesive still lets skin breathe as it’s water-activated but do test areas before use, just to be safe. They’re mostly used on lines between the eyes and crow’s feet and basically work like a splint, by retraining the muscles back to their original position (before life’s woes gave you lines and wrinkles!) Do not use on the neck area nor under the eyes. To use, just tear along the perforations, massage facial lines for 10 seconds to stimulate circulation then press the patch on and leave for 3 hours or overnight. Just soak with water to remove.
a vegan natural alternative to Botox
Biotulin is a one-drop cream (lasts 24 hours) developed in Germany to freeze wrinkles. It claims to be comparable to needle injections of Botulinum Toxin, with similar results to leave skin beautiful, but does not numb your face nor restrict facial expressions. It’s expensive (but not as expensive as Botox) and should work in around 60 minutes. And no mice harmed! The ingredient is based on a local anesthetic from a plant extract that reduces muscle contraction and relaxes facial features. Small wrinkles, especially around the eye area and between the eyebrows, dissolve. It also contains hyraluron (natural in our own collagen) that plumps up skin.
