Botox is an injectable treatment that is used to reduce dynamic muscles. The treatment should be applied every 6 months to be effective. Some people develop resistance to Botox, being less responsive after several treatments. There are a few alternatives to Botox.
Myobloc
Myobloc is a treatment that is similar to Botox. Both employ botulinum toxin shots. However, the Botox employs Botulinum toxin type A, while Myobloc is made of Botulinum toxin type B. Myobloc is recommended for patients that have developed a resistance to Botox shots; these patients may respond well to the type B toxin.
Myobloc is mostly used for a neuromuscular condition that affects the head and neck and for migraines. Even though the product hasn't yet been approved for cosmetic use, some plastic surgeons use Myobloc. This is considered a safe treatment, as long as it is administered by a knowledgeable plastic surgeon.
Corrugator Myectomy
The corrugator myectomy or corrugator excision is a plastic surgery that can correct the wrinkles that appear in between the brows. The corrugator muscle that forms the brow wrinkles is either removed or cut.
One of the disadvantages of the surgery is that it is only effective for the brow area and cannot correct crow's feet, which is a common problem in patients that opt for Botox injections.
The surgery may also have possible side effects such as a lack of sensation in the forehead area, depression of the brows (which can only be corrected through additional surgeries of dermal fillers) or an artificial look.
Surgical Lift
There are several surgical lifts that can be performed to reduce facial wrinkles: face lift, brow lift or eye lift. These surgeries have a longer lasting effect than Botox (Botox is only effective for 4 to 6 months). However, surgeries may have side effects and may also cause scarring.
Dermal Fillers
There are numerous dermal fillers that can be injected and reduce wrinkles from the face and will also restore lost volume. The duration of fillers may depend on the type used. Collagen fillers and hyaluronic acid fillers can last up to 12 months. There are also semi-permanent dermal fillers that may be effective for up to two years; the permanent dermal fillers last for a lifetime.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing can reduce wrinkles. The procedure employs short pulsating laser beams that will penetrate the skin and iron out wrinkles.
There are two main types of lasers that can be used for resurfacing skin: CO2 lasers (ablative and non-ablative) and erbium.
Topical Creams and Lotions
There are several topical creams and lotions that can make the face look younger and feel smoother. However, these creams and lotions will not be as effective as Botox and may be quite pricey.
REX
REX stands for relaxed expressions, and is a procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to relax the muscles and reduce wrinkling. This procedure is very new and it still requires testing; it hasn't been FDA-approved for cosmetic use.
