Gua sha vs. Botox: Which is Better for Anti-aging?
A common question I get is what is the difference between using gua sha face massage and Botox when we are targeting wrinkles and have goals of antiaging? It’s interesting because these are both very different treatments that often have a similar goal. You might be wondering how exactly Botox and face massage work, what’s the science behind them? And why do they differ so much? I’ve got all the info for you plus a pros and cons list I made that can help you better decide which sounds more ideal for you. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
These are my own thoughts as a skincare professional and licensed esthetician. Please consult your doctor with any questions or concerns before making any decisions regarding injectable procedures.
Botox
How does Botox work?
Botox, also known as Botulinum toxin A, functions by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, a chemical that aids in muscle movement. Inhibiting the release of this chemical halts the transmission of signals from nerve cells to muscles. This inhibition leads to the temporary paralysis of the nearby muscles, typically manifesting 24 hours to two weeks after the Botox injection.
Pros and Cons of Botox:
Pros:
✅ Botox can greatly reduce visible fine lines within days
✅ A quick and low-maintenance procedure
✅ If done correctly, you will only have to go in for appointments every 3-6 months
Cons:
❌ The visible results are fleeting, your wrinkles will come back unless you keep getting injections
❌ It is a potential health risk for those with autoimmune disease
❌ If performed incorrectly you can end up with droopy eyelids, an uneven smile, brows that are too high or low, or a lack of symmetry in the face
❌ Some find it to be a bit painful or uncomfortable and some people will experience bruising
❌ It can become expensive depending on the cost of appointments and the frequency of visits
scrub me secret: something that I wouldn’t necessarily put on the con list but it is a reason why i prefer to anti-age using facial massage vs. Botox and injectables is that Botox isn’t doing anything for the actual health of our skin and body. it doesn’t contribute positively to our overall health in any way, if anything it might have health risks for some people. I like that facial massage is something our skin and body benefit from.
Gua Sha
How does gua sha work?
Gua sha is a specific type of facial massage where we use a special stone to massage the face in certain ways. When we are talking specifically about anti-aging and wrinkle reduction, the work using a gua sha stone helps promote healthy blood flow and circulation to an area while also helping to release tension in the tissues that form lines and wrinkles. This type of massage invigorates the areas you are focusing on thus helping with the elasticity of the skin and also helping to fade wrinkles.
Pros and Cons of gua sha:
Pros:
✅ When you get a gua sha facial massage or perform gua sha for yourself at home you are helping your skin’s tissues to become healthier
✅ This is something you can do for yourself at home when you learn the proper techniques, thus reducing cost if that’s a factor for you
✅ It’s a treatment that also helps you relax and reduces stress
✅ Your skin is visibly more radiant right after a gua sha massage
Cons:
❌ Visible wrinkle reduction like we see when we have a Botox injection takes weeks to months
❌ Some can find it to be time-consuming since you have to find 5-30 minutes to fit it into your home skincare routine or take the time for a 45min-90min appointment with a professional
❌ If you have active acne pustules or pimples you cannot gua sha over those areas of breakouts
❌ If done incorrectly you won’t see many visible wrinkle reduction or lifting results
scrub me secret: I’m sure you’re wondering, can I do both gua sha and Botox? Of course! We do want to remember that since gua sha is something that brings microcirculation to our skin we don’t want to do wrinkle reduction massage over areas with Botox as it can metabolize your Botox more quickly and make it go away. If you were to get both Botox and do gua sha I would focus on using Botox to reduce visible wrinkles and using gua sha to help firm and lift your skin while giving it an overall healthy circulation boost. You’ll glow!
My final thoughts:
Being an esthetician I see a lot of different faces, both with Botox and injectables and without. For those looking to get rid of their visible lines, FAST Botox gives those desired results. I have seen Botox make a big difference for some of my clients with busy schedules who were struggling with expression lines. For myself, I prefer to stay away from injectables and use gua sha methods to prevent lines, minimize their appearance, and anti-age my skin. I like the way that gua sha gives my skin overall health results like better circulation, oxygen flow, toxin removal, and improved firmness and elasticity. I believe the results of gua sha massage greatly outweigh the ones of Botox because not only do we receive the esthetic benefits of younger-looking skin but we also get to reduce stress and contribute to the health of our body. I have found easy ways to incorporate gua sha into my weekly skincare routine that I talk about in a blog I’ll link here. Also, making an appointment for a monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly face massage can be quite the treat and the perfect way to reach all your anti-aging goals.