The Botox vs. Skincare: Dr. Liia Ramachandra Answers the Debate

Article By Dr. Liia Ramachandra

When thinking about improving the look and feel of one’s skin, the debate between Botox and skincare can be turbulent. There are people on both sides of the debate who will defend their position to the end. What is not often understood is that Botox and skincare do not have to be at war. The path to solving the debate comes with understanding what each option can bring to the table.

The Necessity of Regular Skincare

Botox and skincare are not identical options at opposite ends of a fiery debate. On the contrary, they can be and should be viewed as complementary in nature. One certainty is that you need skincare every day. Even if one decides to try Botox once or twice or commit to a regular Botox regimen, skincare will still be a daily necessity. I like to think of it as being like wine and chocolate. Wine is nice, but adding a little chocolate every once in a while makes the wine taste even better. Botox can enhance regular skincare, but it can be difficult for Botox to compensate for lack of regular skincare.

The Pros and Cons of Botox

One of the primary questions I get as a health and beauty expert and doctor of pharmacy and analytical chemistry is whether Botox is safe.

Botox is an injectable drug made from botulinum toxin type A. This toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Although this is the same toxin that causes botulism (a life-threatening form of food poisoning), its effects vary according to the amount and type of exposure. Botox is only injected in small, targeted doses.

Although botulinum toxin is life-threatening, small doses — like those used in the application of Botox — are considered safe. Only 36 cases of adverse effects associated with cosmetic use were reported to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 1989 and 2003. Thirteen of these cases may have had more to do with an underlying condition than with the drug itself. With that in mind, some researchers speculate that cosmetic applications may carry less risk than therapeutic Botox injections, as the doses are usually much smaller.

Many only know Botox as something that is used to reduce wrinkles and tighten your ‘skin’, however, it is also used in many medical applications such as lazy eye, eye twitching, chronic migraines, neck spasms (cervical dystonia), overactive bladder, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), and certain neurological conditions like cerebral palsy.

On the beauty end of things, Botox has many positive applications. It is used to smooth crow’s feet, frown lines, diminish neckbands, soften a square jawline, correct a gummy smile, among other uses.

When considering Botox, one must weigh the pros and cons before adding it to a beauty routine. One needs to remember that stopping reverses the positive effects once you start with Botox. In other words, to keep the positive results, you have to continue getting the Botox injections.

Where Does Skin Care Come In?

As mentioned, Botox is not a substitute for regular skincare. It is not just a quick, permanent fix but an additional boost available. Regular skincare is a necessity. Whether you decide to use Botox, fillers, or lasers, one must always follow a skincare regimen religiously to get the best results. Those procedures (fillers, botox, lasers) apply to either muscles in your face or deeper layers of the epidermis. Skincare treats the upper layer and should always be used with or without any procedures.

I’m a big believer in leaning on just skincare when it comes to what I would choose. Use skincare morning and evening, day in and out, and see great results. Always use sunscreen when you go outside, whether during summer or winter to protect your skin from the US light and toxins in the air. Preventative measures can do more for your skin long-term than leaning on short-term fixes.

People should seek trustworthy sources for skincare. At a minimum, the skincare should be chemically and medically clean, such as products made with non-toxic ingredients and hypoallergenic. A skincare regime is very subjective and personal. It always helps to seek advice from a dermatologist or skincare professional.

No matter what route one decides to take when addressing skincare issues, they should always treat their skin as their most precious organ. Researching options, seeking out medically clean skincare that targets specific skin concerns, and listening to expert suggestions can help one give their skin the attention it deserves.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.