BETTER THAN BOTOX
The modern world of beauty has made the concept of botox and fillers very tempting. They’re easily accessible, widely accepted & appear to be quite promising. While we support you in any decision you make to enhance your appearance, we also want to open your eyes to other, healthier options. The possibility of having ageless skin, sans botox, sans filler… 100% au naturale… yes, it is possible and you are in the right place. From beauty tools to intensive, intentional beauty products, we have a list of alternative methods for achieving that youthful, tight & toned look at any age.
WHAT IS BOTOX?
First, we would be remiss not to inform you about what exactly botox is. Botox is a protein made from Botulinum toxin, making it a toxin in and of itself. The bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces this toxin and it’s the same toxin that causes botulism, making it a highly poisonous substance that depresses the nervous system. The chemical blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which causes paralysis of the muscle (1).
Now, the intention is not to cause fear. When administered properly by a well trained nurse, it is used in such minuscule amounts to help to reduce the strength of specific muscles in the face. Wrinkles & fine lines can be caused by years of repetitive expressions that we make, so when our muscles are weakened or paralyzed, we cease to make the expressions which prevents further creasing in the skin, hence what makes it so popular. People are often under the impression that botox gets rid of wrinkles, however that is a common misconception. Instead, it works to pause the muscle to prevent further wrinkles, while very subtly smoothing the skin out.
IS BOTOX NATURAL?
While the bacterium itself is naturally occurring and can be found in soils, forests, the digestive tract of some fish, and a variety of other natural environments, it is still a toxin that is produced in a lab. With extensive use of botox overtime, your muscles can begin to atrophy, becoming weak and actually counteracting the youthful, plump look that was sought after in the first place. To completely avoid this all together, we recommend opting for more natural methods to prevent aging, increase your skin’s vitality, and flourish & thrive as the ageless goddess that you are…
SO WHAT’S BETTER THAN BOTOX?
MEET GUA SHA
Want to know our best kept secret for sculpted, youthful skin, minus the injectables? Our first recommendation is to get started with beauty tools. One of the most effective tools that we currently carry for preventative aging & wrinkle reduction is the gua sha stone! This ancient beauty tool has been utilized for centuries as a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine to increase blood flow, alleviate muscle pain, relieve inflammation, reduce wrinkles & even heal illnesses. Gua sha was used not only on the face, but the body as well, helping to strengthen the connection between the mind, body and our body’s energetic field.
According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), too much stagnation in the body or face can lead to an imbalance. Stagnation is exactly what botox does to the muscles, tissues & nervous system, restricting & blocking movement, leading to the decay of the communication channels of the skin. Utilizing facial gua sha gets the qi (energy) moving, boosting circulation and stimulating the lymphatic system. Unlike botox, gua sha increases movement, bringing fresh blood & life force to stagnant muscles & tissues which restores the natural vitality & luminosity of the skin. While botox is more of a fast acting, instantaneous effect, the benefits and positive results of gua sha massage become more noticeable after long term use.
BENEFITS OF GUA SHA
- Stimulates skin cell renewal
- Boosts collagen production & elasticity of the skin
- Sculpts, tones, lifts & firms the skin
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Smoothes out fine lines
- Stimulates the lymphatic system to drain toxins
- Increases blood flow
- Brings vitality back into the skin
- Plumps & tightens the skin
- Lifts the brows
- Reduces dark circles
- Softens jaw tension
- Enhances the décolleté
- Contours cheekbones
- Relaxation & mental health benefits related to crystal healing & self care
HOW TO USE YOUR GUA SHA TOOL
We recommend dedicating a little slice of time in your beauty ritual, 3 - 5 times a week to get started. The practice of massaging your face with your favorite, luxurious beauty oil is actually a coveted moment of indulgence, self care & relaxation.
1. Prep Your Skin: First, apply your facial oil or serum to clean skin. We highly advise that you never begin massaging without first applying an oil to allow the tool to gracefully glide across your skin. You can also choose to warm up your tool under warm water before use to increase blood flow.
2. Gently Massage: After you’ve prepped your skin, begin gently massaging your face and neck in upward and outward motions, starting from the neck then moving along your chin, cheeks, and very gently around the eye area. Complete one full side of the face before continuing onto the other. Keep the pressure gentle & light, always using sweeping upward strokes. Glide along skin with the flat side of the stone as opposed to "pushing" with the rounded edge. The stone should almost rest flat against the skin at about a 30-degree angle.
1. Repeat the Movements: Do each motion 3 - 5 times on each part of your face. Focus on light but intentional strokes and breathe deeply. Use the tool for about 5-10 minutes daily to achieve your most flawless, radiant skin. Every self-care ritual is better with Gua Sha. It is normal for skin to appear red directly following the massage but will fade quickly.
Please note, that if you have just gotten botox, DO NOT use a gua sha tool over the area! Wait a month or consult your nurse to find out the best practice for your specific situation.
For more detailed instruction, tips & techniques, Skin Gym has a robust library of instructional videos that you can view HERE on Youtube.
REPLACING YOUR INJECTABLES WITH SKINCARE PRODUCTS
In addition to our beloved beauty tools, we also highly recommend a skincare ritual that supports your desired effects. In terms of replacing your botox & fillers, we have a curated selection of products that are our top choices for targeting mature skin, combating the signs of aging & completely reviving the complexion. Among our top choices are products in the Supernatural 2.0 Collection by Tata Harper, a collection formulated & designed by incorporating science with the latest beauty technologies.
This collection is categorized by three different families… the Elixir Vitae Duo that targets the deepest wrinkles, the Concentrated Brightening Duo that works to tight hyperpigmentation & dark spots, and the Boosted Contouring Duo, the ultimate firming, lifting & tightening products that seriously lift any signs of sagging skin. Each duo contains cutting-edge, state of the art ingredients that are breaking natural beauty ingredient-standards. Tata Harper also has a lot of new technology very similar to what injectables are for, including fillers and Botox.
“We get injectables for volumizing the skin, so nowadays we’re going to see a lot of the ingredients that help re-densify your skin to make the skin thicker, because as we age our skin loses a lot of fat and our fiber density diminishes,” Harper says. “We lose a lot of nerves and how the nerves interact, which is called neuroaging. And the other technology that’s really, really interesting is the other thing we get injections for, which is Botox. Botox has a totally different mode of action; it paralyzes the whole muscle. Topical ingredients go in and basically block the nerve to muscle connection so that the skin gets smooth and relaxes and you get a similar effect.” (2).
CONCENTRATED BRIGHTENING DUO
ELIXIR VITAE DUO
BOOSTED CONTOURING DUO
In addition to Tata Harper’s potent production selection, we have created a curated collection of products that we suggest for those looking to combat the signs of aging, replace their injectables & restore their skin’s youthful radiance naturally!
INDULGE IN MORE AGELESS BEAUTY RECOMMENDATIONS:
SOURCES:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/guide-to-botox#the-science-behind-botox
