The New Alternative to Botox

Go into any pharmacy, drug store, department store or beauty counter and you will find row upon row of beauty products aimed at women who want to roll back the years and get rid of any sign of aging. As a result of all these products being on the market, there are literally hundreds for you to choose from. Confusing, isn't it? Which ones work and which ones don't? My mom swears by Oil of Olay and looks great. Others use just soap and water and their skin still looks great. I think it is mainly down to genes as to how your skin ages and looks as you get older. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with good skin and find that most creams and lotions don't really give the desired results. We live in a quick-fix society and everyone wants to look good "now" rather than waiting 6-8 weeks to see if that so-called miracle cream has worked.

Botox, along with expensive face creams, is the choice of many celebrities (although most will deny that's the case!) Some have overdone it (mentioning no names!) and others have had such subtle work done that you can never really tell for sure. However, what do you do if you are needle-phobic? It can't be too comfortable sitting in a chair and having needles jabbing poison into your forehead, can it? Thankfully, if you want to try Botox but have a phobia of needles, then this could be for you.

A new, needle-free version, called "Safetox" was launched this summer for people who are needle-phobes or for those who just want softer results. "Safetox" works in a similar way to Slendertone (the body toning treatment) but whereas Slendertone "switches on" your muscles to tone you up, "Safetox" switches them off. The result? The muscles around your eyes and forehead become more relaxed so you are less able to frown. You wear the headband-style device over your forehead for five minutes a day and it is completely pain-free (it vibrates in a similar way to Slendertone, too). Two to three weeks is all it takes to slacken and re-educate your muscles, and studies show an 83 per cent reduction in wrinkles after six weeks. Another plus is that, unlike traditional Botox, "Safetox" can be used during pregnancy. As soon as I notice deep lines around my eyes, I am signing myself up!