Latest news with #Brezavscek
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The best anti-wrinkle serums of 2025, tested and reviewed
No one is ever thrilled to see their first wrinkle, but after a certain point in life, both fine and deep facial lines are unavoidable, an inevitable result of things like genetics, sun exposure and repeatedly smiling or frowning — in other words, being alive. And while most wrinkles can be treated with injections of neurotoxins like Botox which temporarily "freeze" the facial muscles and keep them from further crinkling, not everyone has the desire — or the funds — to undergo this kind of regular in-office procedure. An average neurotoxin treatment lasts just three months, which means, in about 90 days, you have to re-up — or hunt down a longer-term Botox alternative. This is where the best anti-wrinkle serums come in. "If you're looking for a smoother appearance with fewer fine lines without using Botox, the most effective approach is to combine treatments," says Paula Brezavscek, the founder of Miami's Azala Skin Clinic. Along with daily use of high-SPF sun protection and complexion smoothers like micro-needling, Brezavscek recommends "a consistent, at-home, medical-grade skin care routine." What that means in layman's terms: daily use of products with high concentrations of things like peptides and retinoids, ingredients that have been thoroughly researched, studied and proven to both build collagen and improve skin texture and, in the process, soften wrinkles. "Peptides stimulate collagen production. As we age, collagen production declines, leading to wrinkles, sagging and thinner skin," explains Boston board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Akshay Sanan. "Peptides can actually have a 'Botox-like' effect by relaxing facial muscles and reducing the depth of wrinkles caused by repetitive movements." In addition to peptides, studies show that, over time and with consistent use, retinol — one of many vitamin A compounds known as retinoids — effectively reduces the appearance of fine and even deeper lines. "Retinol and retinoids are highly effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and improving overall skin texture," says Sanan. "They work by targeting the root cause of wrinkles — collagen breakdown. By increasing collagen, retinoids thicken the dermis, reducing the depth of fine lines and wrinkles." I'm 51, and I spent the past 18 months testing anti-wrinkle serums on my own increasingly lined face. Read on for the ones I found most effective — and those we definitely would not recommend. The best anti-wrinkle serum of 2025 Other top anti-wrinkle serums we recommend for 2025 How we tested anti-wrinkle serums Other anti-wrinkle serums we tested that didn't make the cut What to look for in an anti-wrinkle serum Anti-wrinkle serum FAQ Meet the experts I spent the past 18 months testing more than a dozen anti-wrinkle serums, applying each one at least once daily for 4 to 8 weeks. I rated them on efficacy (did my fine lines soften?), absorbency, ease of use, texture, versatility (is the product safe for many skin types?), ingredient quality, ingredient potency and value. I tested Esteé Lauder's famous Night Repair Serum and found that it didn't absorb well into my skin and instead pilled in a gross way, knocking it out of consideration. Though it's often included in other best lists, Glow Recipe's Peptide Serum was inferior in all ways to the two I chose to include above — it has a sticky, tacky texture and didn't seem to do much for my skin. And, while I regularly recommend RoC retinol products, during this testing period, I found the formulas more irritating and harsh but with similar benefits to (the much less expensive) Differin gel. Look for high potency of key ingredients — actives like peptides should be listed in the first five ingredients. For safety reasons, only purchase skin care from trusted retailers and reputable brands. Most dermatologists recommend proactive, preventative use of anti-aging serums starting in your late 20s and early 30s, as this is when collagen production starts to slow down. But it's equally never too late to begin a quality skin care regimen — consistent application of targeted, high-quality products, plus religious use of daily sunscreen will go a long way to improve your skin at any age. "Wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher daily is a non-negotiable for me," says Dr. Melanie Palm, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at San Diego's Art of Skin MD. "If you aren't protecting your skin from UV damage, all your best efforts — skin care, diet, lasers, injectables — are going down the drain." This depends on the number of steps of your personal skin-care routine, but, as a rule, serums should always come after cleansing but before moisturizing. You want the active ingredients to really sink into your face, so the cleaner your skin, the better. Dermatologists also recommend using these products at night to give them even more time to absorb while you sleep. Many anti-aging serums are potent and the ingredients can be irritating and harsh — and not safe for everybody. If your skin is sensitive or ultra-dry, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before adding these to your skin-care regimen. Dr. Akshay Sanan, MD, Boston board-certified facial plastic surgeon Paula Brezavscek, the founder of Miami's Azala Skin Clinic. Kimberly Austin, an aesthetician at the Los Angeles 7QSpa Dr. Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at San Diego's Art of Skin MD
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Botox alternatives: Do they work? Derms weigh in on the best ways to fight wrinkles
Since entering the beauty scene in 2002, Botox injections have become the holy grail of modern anti-aging skin care, a must-have aesthetic treatment for those looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and deeper wrinkles and create more youthful-looking skin overall. Botox is the most well known of a family of cosmetic neurotoxins — others include Dysport and Daxxify — that, once injected into the skin, temporarily relax the muscles of the face, smoothing forehead lines and crow's feet as they go. Adding to the treatment's popularity is the (relatively) low point of entry: An average session costs around $350, depending on your state, and results can last between three to six months. Though neurotoxins are safe and effective for most, not everyone is comfortable with the (rare and/or mild) risks associated with them and the regular upkeep and cost. Because of this, we see more and more anti-aging beauty products marketed as "Botox alternatives" — even if these claims, according to dermatologists and skin care experts, are lies."One of my biggest pet peeves is when you see a product — a serum, moisturizer, etc. — and it says 'better than Botox' or 'you won't need Botox anymore…' This is very misleading," says Kristin Gunn, celebrity aesthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa in Austin, TX. "There is literally nothing in the world that does the same thing [as Botox]. Nada. Zero. Botox [and other neurotoxins like Daxxify] works by literally stopping you from making the expression that is creating a wrinkle. For instance, raising your brows all day is folding the skin and creating creases — and wrinkles. When you Botox your forehead, you stop the skin from creasing. There is no product in the world that will do the same thing. There are many products that claim to, but it's physically impossible.""Yes — unfortunately — there are no true alternatives to Botox," says Dr. Katie Mann, founder of the med spa Curated Medical in Scottsdale, AZ. Mann, along with every other expert I spoke with for this story, explained that while nothing on the market will have the same effect as Botox, focussing on quality skin care with specific, clinically-proven ingredients — and, if your budget allows, in-office dermatological treatments — can help lessen the appearance of wrinkles."If you're looking for a smoother appearance with fewer fine lines without using Botox, the most effective approach is to combine treatments," says Paula Brezavscek, founder of Miami's Azala Skin Clinic. Along with religious use of high-SPF sun protection and complexion smoothers like micro-needling, Brezavscek recommends "a consistent, at-home, medical-grade skin care routine."For those who want to slow the signs of aging and maintain more youthful-looking skin without injecting neurotoxins, here's the full list of at-home therapies and treatments that Brezavscek — and other skin-care specialists — prescribe. Update, Feb. 4, 2025: We checked all prices and availability. You've probably seen the term "peptides" in product ingredient lists, but, if you're like me, haven't really known what it means. "Peptides are small chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. In skincare, peptides are used to mimic natural processes in the skin and encourage anti-aging effects like collagen production and improved elasticity," says Boston board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Akshay Sanan. "Peptides stimulate collagen production. As we age, collagen production declines, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and thinner skin." Sanan explained that peptides send messages to skin cells, in effect "telling" them to produce more collagen, elastin and other structural proteins to keep your skin firm and plump. "Peptides also strengthen the skin barrier — the outermost layer — protecting against moisture loss and environmental damage, Sanan says. "Peptides can actually have a 'botox-like' effect by relaxing facial muscles and reducing the depth of wrinkles caused by repetitive movements. Lastly, peptides like copper peptides have antioxidant properties, protecting skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure, pollution, and stress." And according to Brezavscek, "Peptides signal to your skin to repair itself, boosting firmness for a smoother complexion. They also promote a beautiful, radiant glow, leaving the skin looking healthier and more vibrant." For the past decade, retinol — one of many vitamin A compounds known as retinoids — has been among the buzziest ingredients in anti-aging skin care. And for good reason — it really works. "Retinol and retinoids are highly effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and improving overall skin texture," says Sanan. "They work by targeting the root cause of wrinkles — collagen breakdown. Retinol/retinoids boost collagen production by stimulating fibroblasts in the skin to produce more collagen and elastin, which are essential proteins that keep skin firm and smooth. By increasing collagen, retinoids thicken the dermis, reducing the depth of fine lines and wrinkles." In addition to increasing collagen production, Sanan says that retinoids promote faster cell turnover, helping to replace your old, damaged skin cells with new, healthier ones. "This process smooths rough skin texture and minimizes fine lines," he explains. However, not all retinoids are created equal. "Keep in mind that formation and strength is very important when choosing a retinoid," says Mann. "If you have more fine lines and wrinkles, you will need a stronger product." And remember, as with most anti-aging products, your skin needs time to adjust to any new retinoid and you won't see results overnight. "Retinoids take time for your skin to get used to — but can be extremely effective if you can endure dry skin, redness and flaking for a few weeks," Mann says. "Growth factors are naturally occurring proteins in the body that regulate cell growth, repair and regeneration," says Sanan. "In skin care, growth factors are applied topically to encourage skin rejuvenation and repair, making them effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging. Growth factors also enhance skin repair and healing, promote cell turnover, reduce inflammation and improve skin thickness. All these factors are important for skin texture, tone and overall health. The end result is plumper, smoother skin with less-noticeable wrinkles." Most experts I spoke with agreed that growth factors should be used as a complement to other skin care, as they work synergistically with retinoids, peptides and hyaluronic acid. "Red light therapy is an extremely popular at-home treatment currently, that is also very effective," says Houston plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Rukmini Rednam. "It helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles by helping your cells work more efficiently in skin repair, supporting new cell growth and enhancing rejuvenated skin. Red light therapy increases blood circulation, reduces inflammation, stimulates collagen production and can improve wound healing, all in a simple and painless process." Related: The best LED face masks of 2025 No "Botox alternative" story would be complete without the inclusion of Frownies, a product that experts are mixed on but consumers adore. Boston facial plastic surgeon Dr. Akshay Sanan Houston plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Rukmini Rednam Dr. Katie Mann, founder of Curated Medical med spa in Scottsdale, AZ Paula Brezavscek, CEO and Founder of AZALA Skin Clinic in Coconut Grove, FL Kristin Gunn, celebrity aesthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa in Austin, TX If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
