8 Tips for Keeping Skin Smooth and Plump While You Can't Get Injectables
Here's the lowdown on how to subscribe to Allure's print edition for more beauty routines, recommendations, and features.
With the residents of many states under stay-at-home orders and specialty doctors assisting on the front lines fighting COVID-19 or pivoting to telemedicine, it's nearly impossible to say when you'll be able to get a Botox refresh. Aesthetic treatments fall under the "elective" category, which means many doctors aren't taking appointments for lip fillers, facial fillers, or muscle-freezing neurotoxins right now — as much as some people wish they were.
There's no complete substitute for the instant plumping and smoothing effects of certain injections. Still, while we're stuck at home, there are some lifestyle and product choices that can make the most of your last filler and Botox appointment until you can visit a qualified injector again.
"I don't think it's possible to specifically affect the duration of these injectables, per se, but everything you do to keep your skin healthy and minimize skin aging will all help to prolong the effects," says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King. We asked King and other experts to share the ingredients, products, at-home treatments, and activities we can do from home to make cosmetic treatments last longer.
Facial Filler
Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last from six to 12 months, according to New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, although the exact location of the filler can increase or decrease the duration. "The same filler may last almost double the amount of time if it's injected in the undereye area, as opposed to the smile lines," Zeichner says. While there's no one-and-done way to make your facial filler last longer, Zeichner offers a few tips to help.
Make some (small) lifestyle changes.
Since facial filler is often intended to plump fine lines, Zeichner offers advice that can stop wrinkles from deepening in the first place. "Daily activities like squinting and frowning put extra strain on your facial muscles," he says. "Do your best to wear your sunglasses outdoors and prescription lenses when reading," which can alleviate squinting.
He also advises, "Try to minimize stress, which always comes out on your face in the form of scowling and can put the facial muscles into overdrive."
Keep up your skin-care routine.
"Skin-barrier disruption and inflammation, whether it comes from over-scrubbing, dryness, or even free-radical damage, may shorten the duration of fillers," says Zeichner. To combat that disruption, he suggests keeping up a simple skin-care routine of a gentle cleanser, antioxidant serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. His skin-care staple product is Dove's White Beauty Bar, which he says is "as gentle and hydrating as they come."
Use plumping products.
As you're curating that skin-care routine, look for products that stimulate collagen and plump the skin. No topical product will have the instant results of a hyaluronic acid injection, but they can still help in a pinch while we don't have access to injectors. Zeichner recommends Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair night cream, Schaf Moisturizer, and Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream.
"I find that eye masks are particularly useful for sensitive skin around the eyes and crow's feet," says Zeichner. Lately, he's been recommending Innbeauty Project Electrify Lightening Bolt Eye Masks, which contain hyaluronic acid to plump and caffeine to depuff.
Lip Filler
The effects of lip filler generally last from six to 12 months, explains King. Your particular duration will vary from person to person and depend on the exact type of filler your injector used. Even with those variables, there are a few steps anyone can take to help keep lips plump for longer.
Drink water.
"Most lip fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, and hyaluronic acid binds water," says King. "This property will vary a bit depending on the exact filler, but in general, one way to enhance the effect of the filler is to stay well-hydrated." If there's more water to bind to the hyaluronic acid, the result is even plumper lips.
Look out for emollients and avoid drying ingredients.
We always recommend closely reading your ingredient list, but now is the time to break out your magnifying glass and read the fine print. King recommends using a lip balm that contains occlusive emollients like petrolatum, beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter. These ingredients create a physical barrier to prevent moisture loss, she says. In addition, the ingredient list should include humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which attract moisture. "Humectants attract moisture, and the occlusives keep it from evaporating," she explains.
In contrast, she recommends avoiding lip balms with menthol, camphor, and phenol on the ingredient list. "They are initially cooling and soothing but they evaporate quickly and you will need to reapply if you aren't using a good emollient," she says.
Invest in a topical lip plumper.
As filler starts to fade, a topical lip plumper can help get back some volume. King breaks down the two types of plumpers: Some that contain moisturizing ingredients to increase hydration and thus plump the lips, and others that contain intentional irritants like cinnamon oil or peppermint oil to cause temporary swelling for that fuller look.
A topical lip-plumping effect won't last nearly as long as your injected filler, but at least it can help until you can get back in the dermatologist's chair. King's favorite? PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster.
Neurotoxin
Asked if there's any way to prolong Botox past its three-to-four month duration, board-certified dermatologist Shari Sperling gives it to me straight: "No, not really." Here, too, the simple fact stands that no product has the instant gratification of neurotoxin injections. But while stuck at home, there are a few solutions that can help.
Try to reduce tension in the face.
Similar to the advice for facial fillers, board-certified plastic surgeon David Shafer advises patients to focus on relaxing and meditation. "Practice facial expressions in the mirror to help reduce unwanted dynamic lines," he says. If isolating has left you with more time on your hands than usual, maybe now is a good moment to break out the magnifying mirror and do some facial exercises.
Add topical hyaluronic acid products to your skin-care routine.
According to Sperling, these can help the appearance of skin and integrity of skin texture. Our list of the best hyaluronic acid serums is a great place to start.
King recommends Revision Skincare's Revox 7, which was designed to smooth the appearance of expression lines, and Wrinkles Schminkles Eye Smoothing Kit silicone pads to soften wrinkles and lines around the eye area.
More on beauty at home:
Cle Cosmetics's CCC Cream Transforms My Skin in Seconds for Zoom Meetings
Makeup Artists Reveal Their Fastest, Easiest Beauty Looks for Zoom Meetings
Now, see Brentman Rock's 10-minute morning routine:
You can follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
Originally Appeared on Allure
