‘Notox’ is the needle-free, wrinkle-free future of skincare – and it won’t give you frozen Botox face

The time has come to let go of the frozen Botox face. The beauty industry is turning its back on the treatment, which has been one of the most popular since its inception in ‘89. The rapid evolution of the beauty industry has now produced a plethora of non-invasive skin treatments that promise to give you the same finish as the real things, like skincare products and facials.

Botox is widely known and loved for its rapid wrinkle-disappearing and youth-restoring abilities, but there are also many risks that come with the injections. Not only is there needle-related pain and a possible risk of infection, but the face can start to freeze or droop, particularly around the eyelid and mouth area. Over time, the muscle loses control and you can end up with a completely emotionless face. The treatment that hit Hollywood stars around the mid-90s in a bid to keep a youthful camera-ready face has rapidly spread. By the 00s, it was widely available to anyone with cash, and in 2018 even Superdrug started offering it in their stores. In recent times, with the introduction of ‘baby Botox’ a whole new age group is touching up their faces. Thankfully, a whole new wave of non-invasive treatments are hitting the market, and aestheticians are backing the Notox wave. 

‘’Notox’s tweakments are trending as technology develops, and we have more options than ever before, from medical-grade skincare to skin-tightening treatments,” Dr. Grace Hula, Aesthetic Doctor and founder of G&M Healthcare, tells HUNGER. Notox, as it has been fondly dubbed, is the umbrella term for skin treatments that are non-invasive but reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. And many Notox treatments on today’s market are nearly as good as the real thing, the doctor argues. “Whilst Botox paralyses muscles, Notox relaxes muscles and reduces the tension caused that causes wrinkles and is applied topically. The idea behind Notox is that people can minimize their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, and achieve youthful-looking skin without resorting to cosmetic injectables or other semi-invasive procedures.”

There are many different types of Notox treatments, and it’s all about finding the right one for you. “Try looking for medical-grade products like CellDerma and ZO Skin Health that uses potent ingredients like retinoids, Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine, Collage, or Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) that can tighten the skin and help with inflammation too,” adds Dr. Kajal Babamiri, a dermatology specialist at CLNQ clinic. 

What’s more, Notox is promoting the simplest methods of wrinkle prevention, some of which you will already be implementing in your everyday routine. It’s all about the “specialised skincare routine”, Dr. Babamiri tells us. The one product worth investing our time and effort into is actually the simplest: “Sunscreen is paramount to any routine as it helps deter aging.” Who would have thought? Well, all aestheticians actually. Further, the desire for a miracle product is not necessarily in the realm of reality, and it is a multitude of lifestyle habits combined that can slow down the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “Other lifestyle tips include drinking plenty of water and eating a varied and balanced diet full of vegetables, healthy fats, and protein,” says Dr. Babamiri.  

The types of non-invasive treatments of Notox can also offer that more instantaneous youthful look, and are recommended by experts to sit alongside other healthier lifestyle habits. One of these, says Dr. Babmiri, is perfect for those looking at alternative treatments that avoid needles or pain. “Chemical peels address fine lines and wrinkles, as well as giving the skin an overall fresher appearance,” she recommends. Another option is “Mesotherapy to help improve dull, tired-looking skin by adding nourishing substances to the layers of the skin where cell repair and growth occur. It’s a great alternative to Botox and dermal filler.’’ 

It seems that with the expanding world of Notox treatments, we may be seeing an end to the toxic frozen Botox faces once and for all. Time to start championing the wrinkle-free lifestyle, but this time, retain your ability to crack a smile.