{"id":2394,"date":"2024-03-25T19:54:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T19:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/?p=2394"},"modified":"2024-03-25T15:06:04","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T15:06:04","slug":"im-a-beauty-editor-and-ive-ditched-botox-for-something-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/2024\/03\/25\/im-a-beauty-editor-and-ive-ditched-botox-for-something-better\/","title":{"rendered":"I’m a beauty editor and I’ve ditched Botox… for something better!"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-post-title” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Black Han Sans|700||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”46px” header_letter_spacing=”4px” custom_margin=”25px||5px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a beauty editor who\u2019s fed up with Botox \u2013 instead, I\u2019m trying \u2018Microtox\u2019 for glass skin<\/h1>\n

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Words by<\/strong> Rebecca Fearn<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/GettyImages-97538390-copy.jpg” alt=”Jennifer Aniston” title_text=”GettyImages-97538390-copy” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

My relationship with \u2018traditional\u2019 Botox was not a very long one. While I\u2019ve been getting subtle-looking fillers for several years now (and don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever stop!) Botox has been another beast entirely. There\u2019s something about it that never really worked for me; perhaps it\u2019s that at 31, I\u2019m not at a stage in life where I \u2018need\u2019 it yet. Or it may be I\u2019m just not a huge fan of the results; as a millennial growing up in the social media age, I\u2019m tired of the now-outdated \u2018frozen face\u2019 of yesteryear. <\/p>\n

I know Botox can work amazingly for some, and if used by a reputable injector, results can be super subtle. But I\u2019m a naturally expressive person, and I like seeing the signs of a well-lived life upon my face. I am however a fan of aesthetic treatments in general, and love the idea of a \u2018tweakment\u2019 that can enhance what I already have in a natural-looking way. Enter: Microtox, the newest aesthetic treatment hailing from South Korea. While it contains the Botulinum toxin found in \u2018Botox,\u2019 it\u2019s used in a totally different way for entirely different results, and thus feels a little like the \u2018Anti-Botox\u2019 treatment of our time. <\/p>\n

I was first introduced to it by my long-time injector and friend, aesthetic doctor Dr Christine Hall<\/a>, of the TakTouk clinic<\/a> (owned by Dr Wassim TakTouk). Knowing her audience well (I\u2019m obsessed with glow), she first sold it to me as the newest frontier in getting that radiant, smooth all-over skin finish. \u201cIn our clinic, we\u2019re referring to Microtox [also known as \u2018Skin Botox\u2019 or \u201cMicro Botox\u2019] as the \u2018glass skin treatment,\u2019 as this is the final look the treatment achieves,\u201d she tells me. <\/p>\n

Both the placement and formulation are what sets it apart from traditional muscle-relaxing Botox injections \u2013 along with the fact you usually require around 20-100 tiny injections, depending on how much area is covered (it is most commonly used on the lower face, neck, around the eyes and forehead). \u201cTo create \u2018Microtox,\u2019 you make a more diluted solution of Botox by mixing it with either sodium chloride or NCTF (a skin booster),\u201d Christine explains. \u201cYou then inject it into the very top surface of the skin: instead of the actions being in the body of the muscle, the injections inhibit the most superficial fibres of the muscle which attach to the dermis \u2013 the layer of the skin which contains blood vessels, hair follicles and sweat glands.\u201d This means that specific concerns such as flushing, enlarged pores and excess sweating can be addressed. <\/p>\n

As mentioned however, the overall result is smoother-looking skin that brings you one step closer to that much-coveted \u2018glass\u2019 look. While both Botox and Baby Botox concentrate on deeper injections for muscle relaxation and targeting fine lines through movement, says Cosmetic Physician Dr Emmaline Ashley<\/a>, \u201cMicrotox takes a different approach by focusing on skin quality and texture without substantially affecting muscle dynamics.\u201d Dr Christine adds: \u201cBy inhibiting the superficial fibres of the muscle on those top layers, the pulling and tethering effects on the skin are reduced whilst the movements in the main body of the muscle are maintained, which gives a smoothed complexion and a relaxed appearance. People get an airbrushed look and a lustre that you do not get with standard Botox injections.\u201d These results can be seen as soon as a few days post-procedure, but usually around the 10th to 14th day. <\/p>\n

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‘It focuses on fine-tuning skin and promoting inner radiance’<\/h2>\n

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This approach to using Botox is certainly a sign of the times in aesthetics, and more widely. As a beauty editor, I\u2019ve noticed a distinct shift towards more natural-looking results and techniques that enhance what we already have, rather than changing it drastically. Several friends of mine in the industry (and in the millennial bracket) have, like me, decided that traditional muscle-relaxing Botox just isn\u2019t for them right now. <\/p>\n

Within the aesthetics industry, this move away from popular traditional methods certainly hasn\u2019t gone unnoticed, either. \u201cThe increasing popularity of treatments like Microtox reflects a broader shift in aesthetic preferences towards more natural and understated outcomes,\u201d says Dr Emmaline. \u201cMost patients I encounter are requesting enhancements that offer a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance without dramatically altering their natural facial expressions or features.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both doctors I spoke to recognised that our focus has switched to celebrating individuality and looking our healthiest, rather than obviously \u2018tweaked,\u2019 or just like everybody else. \u201cWe are valuing everyone\u2019s own individual and unique beauty, and not allowing societal pressure to tell us we all have to look the same,\u201d notes Dr Emmaline, with Dr Christine adding there\u2019s \u201ca definite shift towards skin boosters and treatments, and away from things like filler,\u201d causing a drive \u201ctowards people not wanting to look different, but maintain how they look\u201d with \u201chealthy, glowing, dewy skin\u201d now the priority. <\/p>\n

My own experience with Microtox reaffirmed that injectables do work for me, just through more modern, innovative approaches. I was given around 100-150 injections, which sounds terrifying but with numbing cream and a tiny needle, was pretty pain-free. In fact, the biggest issue on the day wasn\u2019t the pain; it was the redness and inflammation afterwards. This treatment does require downtime; you need at least 15 minutes afterwards to sit and wait for things to subside, and a couple of days for all needle markings to dissipate entirely. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m pretty happy with the results; my skin feels smoother and more taut, and I\u2019ve regained some of my glow, which in past months I\u2019ve lost due to stress, late nights and skin picking. For millennials like me whose favourite compliment of all time is \u2018your skin is looking great,\u2019 this is right up our street. It focuses on fine-tuning skin and promoting inner radiance, contributing to a fresher, more youthful glow overall. This undeniably ties in to our new-found fascination with wellness and health, and seems to suit a modern approach to natural beauty and wellbeing far more than severe face-freezing injections deeper into the muscle. <\/p>\n

That said, it\u2019s not cheap \u2013 and it\u2019s not for everybody. The TakTouk clinic charges \u00a3695 for a \u2018glass skin\u2019 Microtox appointment, or from \u00a31495 for a package that also includes 2-3 sessions of injectable skin boosters. Clinics up and down the country should offer it, you may just need to enquire at a consultation for availability and price. Those with very dry skin or deep lines and wrinkles should avoid the treatment, along with anyone who\u2019s pregnant or breastfeeding (as is standard for any treatment using the Botulinum toxin). <\/p>\n

If injected by a reputable professional, adverse side effects are rare, but as with all treatments they are always possible. Bruising is the most common, and infection is a potential side effect, too. Dr Christine adds: \u201cIf Botox is not injected using the correct technique it has potential to result in facial asymmetry, but really shouldn\u2019t when done well.\u201d If you experience any of these or are concerned, contact your injector. <\/p>\n

For anyone else, this newest frontier in natural aesthetics is worth a try if you want to forgo Botox in favour of something a little different, and for smooth, radiant, more subtle-looking youthful skin. Hailing from forward-thinking skincare oasis South Korea, I\u2019m confident in saying this is the \u2018anti-Botox Botox\u2019 treatment of the future.<\/p>\n

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Photo: <\/b>Getty<\/p>\n

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