Does any beauty product or treatment work like botox to erase wrinkles?

Tik Tok Influencers love to claim they’ve found an at-home skin care treatment that’s better than Botox when it comes to erasing lines and wrinkles. It’s tempting to buy these “miracle” treatments because Botox is expensive and invasive. Plus, it’s an attractive option for anyone who doesn’t want to inject a neurotoxin into their face.

Some supposed Botox alternatives are going viral on TikTok, such as linseed, are low risk because they are inexpensive and their potential side effects are minimal. Others, such as LED light therapythey require the investment of a lot of money even though the results are uncertain.

We asked some top skin care experts if any home treatment could match the results of Botox.

The answer is clear: “No home treatment is as effective as Botox,” he said Dr. Phyllis Pobeecosmetic medicine specialist and medical director of RenewRx, an aesthetic medicine clinic, based in Ontario, Canada.

That’s because Botox “temporarily paralyzes the muscles to reduce wrinkles, which is a specific action that can’t be replicated by over-the-counter products,” he explained.

Unless you’re having a Botox party in your living room — which isn’t recommended — “Botox at home isn’t really possible,” she said. Dr. Mary Alice Minadermatologist at Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery in Atlanta.

Although there is no over-the-counter replacement for Botox, “there are things you can do to improve your skin and the signs of fine lines and wrinkles” without Botox, she said Dr. Nazanin Saediboard-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. But don’t expect the same dramatic, long-lasting results.

We asked the experts to weigh in on some of the latest products and treatments that claim to be just as good as Botox. Here’s what they said.

Influencers on TikTok claim that a DIY face mask made from flaxseed and water makes skin look as good as a Botox treatment.

According to Pobee, “flaxseed is beneficial for skin health because of its omega-3 fatty acids.” However, he said flaxseed users should not expect the same results as Botox and that it “may support overall skin health, but does not directly affect muscle activity or wrinkles.”

Microcurrent devices Such as NuFace Trinity, Solawave wand, TheraFace Pro and LYMA Laser they work by strengthening and toning the skin because tHello stimulate the facial muscles, causing them to contract. Microcurrent devices also boost circulation, which can temporarily improve the appearance of your skin.

“It’s all about working out and defining the muscle. It would take consistent use to see any results,” Saedi said. While microcurrent devices can help improve the appearance of your skin, don’t expect the same results as Botox.

“Their effects are much more subtle and less targeted compared to Botox,” Pobee said.

Also, you shouldn’t expect any results to last long. Improvements in skin appearance from using microcurrent devices generally only last between 24 and 48 hours. In contrast, Botox treatments usually last from three to four months.

Spend some time scrolling through TikTok and you’ll probably see someone wearing one full face mask that emits a glowing red light. These masks look weird and can be expensive, but they do have some benefits.

“LED light therapy can promote collagen production and can improve skin texture and tone,” Pobee said. However, Mina noted that yes To get these benefits, you must use strong lights and have “consistent daily use over many months.”

However, even the most powerful LED phototherapy mask will not have the same results as Botox. That’s because LED light therapy “doesn’t immobilize facial muscles,” so it “won’t mimic the effects of Botox on dynamic wrinkles,” Pobee said.

As Saedi noted, even “Dedicated, consistent use” of LED phototherapy masks is likely to see “minimal” improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Exists some elements that facial exercises like facial yoga can help you look younger. However, Pobee said that while “they may improve muscle tone and circulation, facial exercises are unlikely to significantly reduce existing wrinkles or prevent new ones in the same way that Botox does.”

Saedi added that those following a “committed training regime” may see some results, but they are likely to be “subtle”, unlike the dramatic results seen with Botox.

How long the results last is “variable,” Pobee said. He explained that many people who see improvements after facials are likely to see those changes fade after just a few hours, while those who are “diligent” with performing facials may see results that last “f.or a few days to a week.” However, getting these results “depends heavily on factors such as age, skin elasticity and the specific exercises performed,” he added.

Facial tape and wrinkle patches they work in two ways. Some pull the skin until it stretches and wrinkles are smoothed out. Others immobilize facial muscles overnight in an attempt to prevent wrinkles from forming.

“These can temporarily smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but they don’t have the long-term effects of Botox” because “their action is more superficial,” Pobee said.

Saedi added that, along with possible skin irritation, the effects of face tape are lost once the tape is removed. As for wrinkle patches, he said the benefits for most of them wear off “rapidly” once they’re removed, usually within hours.

Influencers claim various creams and serums offer Botox-like results, “usually aimed at boosting collagen production or hydration,” Pobee said. While these can benefit skin health, he warned, “They don’t offer the same direct action on muscle activity” as Botox and won’t have the same results.

Saedi recommended looking into creams and serums”that offer hydration and are packed with anti-aging ingredients like retinols, vitamin C, peptides and growth factors.”

However, he said, “Although beneficial for skin health, creams and serums do not offer the same “immediate action on muscle activity” as Botox and will not have the same results.