Botox Cream
There are a myriad of health and beauty treatments to reverse aging. Botox was originally used as a medical treatment for facial tics and muscles spasms. However, because it paralyzes the skin for as long as 6-8 months, making it impossible for creases to form, Botox injections have evolved into an effective cosmetic treatment for wrinkles and frown lines.
Are Botox Creams An Alternative to Botox Injections?
“Botox Creams” are now available over-the-counter and as prescription items. These products do contain ingredients that can provide positive skin changes. They are not, however, an alternative to Botox injections.
What are the Cosmetic Effects of Botox Creams?
Botox creams are intended to relax facial muscles and to help prevent fine lines caused by repetitive facial motions. They are supposed to work in a non-paralytic way through the gradual reduction of neurotransmitters that initiate muscle contractions.
The manufacturers specifically claim that their products prevent aging of the skin caused by excessive catecholamine release. (Catecholamine is one of the hormones released by the body when it is under stress and has a long-term, cumulative aging effect). The creams also purport to increase collagen production while moisturizing the skin and promoting healthy skin growth.
More advanced Botox creams even claim to rid the skin of its outer layer. At this level, the skin has been exposed to the harshest effects of the environment like sun and wind. When that layer is taken away and healthy skin revealed, a person’s appearance is improved.
Marketed as a revolutionary new way to erase fine lines and wrinkles from the comfort of your home, Botox creams can moderately reduce the depth of facial wrinkles around the eyes and in the forehead, but the results are modest.
Still the Botox Creams have proven to be popular because they are less expensive than injections.
No Satisfactory Alternatives to Injections by a Professional
However, there is no real alternative to injections administered by a professional to get the maximum possible results from Botox treatments. For many, Botox is literally a miracle cure, with the benefits of injections lasting for as long as 6-8 months.
While the ingredients in Botox creams might provide positive skin changes, they are not an alternative to Botox injections. And, in many cases, the effectiveness of these products has not been proven in clinical trials or as extensively documented in photographs.
Some users do report high levels of satisfaction from Botox creams, but this is an uneven reaction, with just as many saying the exact opposite. The creams do nothing and are a waste of time and money.
How Botox Creams Works
Botox creams are painlessly rubbed into problem areas without the need for a visit to the doctor. The manufacturers say the creams are most effective on the forehead and around the eyes, and are a feasible alternative to injections. The jury is out on the accuracy of that claim.
Botox Creams Expensive Considering the Results
Although traditional Botox injections are more costly than creams and do require repeated treatments to maintain the positive results, most patients are so satisfied they feel the cost is cheap given the returns.
Most Botox facial creams start in the $100 price range and represent an ongoing expense. When the jar is empty, it costs $100 to get another. For all practical purposes, Botox injections, are a once to twice-a-year expense with no daily maintenance involved.
Botox Cream Brands
Botox creams are available online and in spas across the country. The most well-known brand, Q-Vectin, does not require a prescription. For consumers who simply want to test the waters, Botox creams will not hurt you, but the results will not be dramatic, nor will they last long term. If you purchase one of these products, do not, however, have high expectations about the outcome.
Botox Creams vs Injections
While Botox creams are less expensive and arguable less invasive than Botox injections, the results are not immediate and user reviews are uneven. Many of these products make huge claims and simply do not deliver. Trying one cream after another is a hit or miss exercise that can, in itself, become very expensive. Of the available creams, StriVectin, Renova and Q-Vectin have received the most positive reviews.
Permanent Satisfactory Results with Traditional Methods
Revitalizing your looks and restoring your natural beauty doesn’t have to be painful or expensive. If you want reasonably “permanent” results and a high level of satisfaction, Botox injections are the way to go.
Free Consultations with Certified Botox Professionals
To learn more about Botox Injections and it's related cost please fill out the contact form below, or call us today at the number found in the upper right corner of this page. You will then get the option to schedule a free consultation with a Board Certified Professional in your local area.
The majority of surgeons have financing plans available to offer their customers.
Before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, be sure to consult with a board certified cosmetic surgeon to discuss the risks involved.
