Botox vs Skincare: Dr. Liia Dives into Anti-Aging and How To Slow it Down

Skincare vs. Botox. Which one's more effective? How long do the results of botox last? There are many questions that arise when deciding between the two. Women.com had an exclusive interview with Dr. Liia Ramachandra about some of the most trending questions regarding the pair.

Dr. Liia is the founder and CEO of Epilynx, Gluten-Free Skin Care and Cosmetics Brand. She has vast experience in Global Medical Affairs, Global Ethics and Compliance, Clinical Research, and Global Publications. Her work experience includes companies such as Takeda, Pfizer, and Astellas.

If you are interested in learning the differences between skincare and botox, keep scrolling! Dr. Liia tells all!

“Even Though many people choose to get botox nowadays, it does not mean that they do not need to start using skincare. With or without botox, you need to use hydrating and firming skincare. Botox will firm your forehead etc but if your skin is not properly hydrated and taken care of, it will still look dry, saggy with possible breakouts.” - Dr.Liia

Skincare vs. Botox: Which is more effective?

These are 2 very different 'beasts'. You NEED skincare everyday; And you might want to try Botox one day. And when you do, you will still NEED your skincare day in and day out. Basically it is like wine and chocolates. Wine is nice but if you add a little chocolate once in a while, it will taste even better :)

What are the main ingredients in botox?

Botox is an injectable drug made from botulinum toxin type A. This toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Although this is the same toxin that causes botulism (a life-threatening form of food poisoning) its effects vary according to the amount and type of exposure. Botox is only injected in small, targeted doses.

What are the pros and cons of botox?

Is Botox safe? This is the question I am asked a lot! Although botulinum toxin is life-threatening, small doses — like those used in the application of Botox — are considered safe. 36 cases of adverse effects associated with cosmetic use were reported to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 1989 and 2003. Thirteen of these cases may have had more to do with an underlying condition than with the drug itself. With that in mind, some researchers speculate that cosmetic applications may carry less risk than therapeutic Botox injections, as the doses are usually much smaller.

Also, many know Botox as something that is used to reduce wrinkles and tighten your 'skin', however it is also used in many medical applications such as lazy eye, eye twitching, chronic migraines, neck spasms (cervical dystonia), overactive bladder, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). certain neurological conditions like cerebral palsy.

PROS FOR BOTOX According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeon, botulinum toxin injections, like Botox, can be used to:

-Smooth crow’s feet, forehead furrows, frown lines, lip lines and bunny lines

-Diminish neck bands

-Improve the appearance of skin dimpling of the chin

-Lift the corners of the mouth

-Soften a square jawline

-Correct a gummy smile

CONS FOR BOTOX

-Bruising and pain at the injection site

-Flu-like symptoms

-Headache

-Nausea

-Redness

-Temporary facial weakness or drooping

-In rare instances, the botulinum toxin may spread beyond the treatment area, causing botulism-like signs and symptoms such as breathing problems, trouble swallowing, muscle weakness and slurred speech

Additionally, with preventive Botox, you risk “frozen” facial expressions, which results from the procedure’s muscle-relaxing effects. If you don’t have any wrinkles to begin with, you might want to carefully weigh the side effects and outcomes of Botox. Make sure to speak with a licensed medical professional before receiving the treatment to verify this treatment is best for you.

Is there a "right" age to start getting botox?

Well, I would say it is extremely subjective and the 'bad' thing is that once you start, you can 'never' really stop since you need to continue using the injections to keep up the appearance. More generally, Botox is approved for patients who are 18 years and older and most experts agree that patients in their mid to late 20s and early 30s are at a good age for preventative Botox treatment. However, I always advise you to wait as long as you can until you can't :). For some the right age might be 25 but for some 'never'.

Are there any myths about botox that you want to dispute?

Botox will erase all my wrinkles

-FACT: There are 2 types of wrinkles: dynamic & static. Dynamic wrinkles are present with facial movements, static wrinkles are there at rest. While Botox can help improve both kinds of wrinkles, static wrinkles may need additional treatments, such as fillers or lasers or good skincare.

Botox is permanent

-FACT: It lasts 3-4 months

Botox is only used to treat wrinkles

-FACT: Botox is used for many medical purposes, such as muscle spasms and migraines

Botox and Fillers are the same thing

-FACT: Botox and dermal fillers are totally different substances but can be used together (or separately) to treat age-related problems.

When it comes to botox vs fillers, what areas are the best to target and do you recommend any specific products?

Fillers can be of a variety of temporary or permanent materials, and are used to fill lines. Hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane, Juvederm, and Belotero are the most common. Hyaluronic acid fillers, which come in a variety of thicknesses so that the right one can be chosen for each particular skin type, last 5-24 months. However, there are other fillers composed of calcium hydroxyapatite, which are better for deep filling and can last 12 to 14 months. Botox injection, on the other hand, is needed every 4-5 month. Again, botox is very different from fillers and they are often used together to target different areas.

How often should you get botox a year without overdoing it?

I would suggest starting with 2, max 3 times a year.

Do you have any advice on what to look for when choosing a quality location for your procedures?

If you’re considering Botox treatments, it’s important to work with a licensed medical professional. Although it may be cheaper to work with someone who isn’t licensed, doing so can increase your risk for complications. Remember that the toxin lasts 3 to 6 months, and you’ll likely need to return for multiple treatments. As with any procedure, side effects are possible. Talk with your doctor about what you can expect during the injection process and in the subsequent recovery period. They can answer any questions you may have and discuss your individual benefits and risks.

Do you have any recommendations on how to balance botox with skincare in your daily routine?

Always, always, always use your skincare and follow it religiously no matter whether you use botox, fillers, lasers etc. Those procedures (fillers, botox, lasers) are applicable to either muscles in your face or deeper layers of epidermis. Skincare is something that treats the upper layer and should always be used with or without any procedures.

How can people get botox worthy skin with just skincare?

I am a huge believer in just skincare, to be honest. Use skin care morning and evening, day in and out and you will see great results. Always use sunscreen when you go outside whether it is during summer or winter to protect your skin from the US light and toxins in the air.

What skin care regime is best for what skin types and ages?

Make sure you use the trustworthy source of your skincare. In this day and age, at minimum, the skincare should be chemically and medically clean, such as filled with the non-toxic ingredients and hypoallergenic, free from 14 known allergens according to the FDA. To Name a few: gluten, dairy, shellfish, sesame, phthalates etc. Skincare regimen is very subjective and I always advise to ask either your dermatologist or the skincare company on what might be best for you, such as depending whether you have acne prone skin, eczema/psoriasis, sensitivity, allergies etc. Treat your skin as your most precious organ; it is the largest organ in your body and deserves only the very best!

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