Anti Wrinkle Cream Versus BOTOX®

As you wake up in the morning and take that first glance in the mirror, the site of new wrinkles and unsightly lines can be quite alarming.  To combat some of these common signs of aging, an overwhelming number of over the counter wrinkle creams have been introduced.  Additionally, pharmaceutical grade products like BOTOX® have also grown in popularity.  But can a simple jar of cream really compete against a medical grade treatment like BOTOX®? 

BOTOX®, also known as Botulinum toxin is a protein that is used for a variety of cosmetic procedures.  When it first became widely available, there were fears that it could cause health problems.  However, as BOTOX® has continued to become refined and used in a wide variety of procedures, safety concerns have slowly been eliminated as the product and its manufacturer have built a track record of quality and safety.  The most common and FDA approved application for BOTOX® is the frown lines on the forehead, commonly referred to as the “11,” although areas such crow’s feet and smile lines are also commonly treated. 

During a Botox® treatment, a needle is used to inject the appropriate dosage of BOTOX® into the muscle that is causing the lines or wrinkles to appear.  Too much BOTOX® can cause a loss of expression, while too little can be ineffective for treating the wrinkles.  One treatment is usually all that is necessary to remove wrinkles from a treatment area and results typically last three to four months. 

Anti wrinkle creams, on the other hand, are applied topically and are intended to seep into the skin and stimulate new collagen growth.  Because of the wide variety of creams available, it’s important to understand the pharmaceutical grade creams are available under the supervision of a doctor, and these creams can be quite effective if used regularly.   If the cream that is used is properly formulated and regularly applied, the new collagen that is formed will improve the fullness and texture of the skin, thereby minimizing the appearance of wrinkles.

While both of the products can produce positive results, they approach the problem from different angles.  BOTOX® treats the muscle that causes the wrinkles to appear and only requires one treatment.  Anti wrinkle creams stimulate new collagen growth which increases the fullness of the skin, tightening the area and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles.

For really deep lines, nothing compares to BOTOX® ... but our Neocutis line of products are among the most effective anti-wrinkle creams available on the market today.  For more information, please call our office at (615) 321-0445 to schedule a consultation so we can point you in the direction of the best available treatment.