What kind of products does Colleen – an L&P skincare expert – recommend to improve skin between neurotoxin injections?
Neurotoxin injections are considered “entry level” when it comes to aesthetic treatments…they’re typically the first treatment we recommend to patients ready to go beyond topical skincare.
We spend a lot of time educating our patients on how neurotoxin is not a substitute for skincare, though. You have to continue using high-quality products, or you’re taking 3 steps forward, and 2 steps back.
Yes, neurotoxin is fantastic for reducing motion-related lines and wrinkles, and giving an overall softer, more relaxed appearance in places like the forehead where people carry tension.
But the overall effect won’t be optimal if the skin itself isn’t in good condition. You need effective skincare to address the other elements – e.g. refine the skin texture, reduce discoloration, and strengthen the structural proteins.
Just like you can iron the wrinkles out of a shirt, but if it still has spots, a rough texture, or a saggy weave, it’s not going to look great!
Aside from not using skincare 4 hours after neurotoxin injections, patients can follow a normal skincare routine. In between injections, we recommend everyone uses a retinol to increase cellular turnover and a SPF to protect from UV damage. These are the 2 most important things.
We also recommend antioxidants which prevent collagen degradation from free radicals in the environment, and a growth factor serum that stimulates the skin’s healthy functioning and repair.
Our specific recommendations:
- Retinol: SkinBetter Science AlphaRet. Retinol is strong and it can take time for the skin to adjust to it. The retinol in the AlphaRet products is gentle, but still provides phenomenal results.
- SPF: Elta MD’s UV Elements. This contains particles that physically block UV rays, for maximum protection, without feeling heavy on the skin.
- Antioxidants: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. This serum fights environmental free radicals and brightens the appearance of skin
- Growth Factors: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum. A must-have product to combat aging effects on skin, including improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
