You’ve heard of Botox; you’ve heard of laser treatments… But what about Botox and laser treatments? Surely treatments that work so immaculately on their own would work absolutely incredibly when combined. How do these treatments compare to one another, and how do they contrast?
Most importantly, what does this comparison mean for their impacts on skin concerns?
What Botox Treats vs. What Lasers Treat
Before getting into the ways in which a neuromodulator, like Botox, and laser treatments compare, let’s consider how they differ.
For starters, Botox and lasers actually target different parts of the body. Botox directly impacts your muscles, while laser impacts your skin. Given these diverse mechanisms of action (a fancy term for ‘the way something works’), outcomes of these treatments vary from limiting muscle activity to resurfacing the skin.
If you were to plot neuromodulators and laser treatments on a Venn diagram (throwback to those!), each circle could be represented by the categories of “prevention” and “intervention.”
Botox would largely fall under prevention, since it immobilizes certain muscles in the face to reduce movement, thereby preventing would-be wrinkles. Laser treatments would fall under intervention since they address pre-existing concerns of skin texture and uneven complexion.
This diversity in the form and function of the two treatments means that pairing Botox and laser treatments allows you to target a wider range of concerns. Where one treatment’s effects end, the other’s begin.
You might be wondering about the spot in the middle of the Venn diagram where the circles converge. Well, smarty pants, those are the areas where a neuromodulator and laser treatment work in tandem to multiply efficacy. Instead of shining a single light on a skin concern, the two shine together for a brighter result. Concentrating on particular skin concerns will help to direct this light.
Before and After Botox.
Best Laser Treatments to Pair With Botox
Not all lasers are created equal. By focusing your efforts, you can yield some pretty incredible results with select laser treatments combined with a neuromodulator.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Botox and HALO are your dynamic duo for addressing fine lines and wrinkles. The laser treats existing lines with heat and the resulting collagen stimulation. The neuromodulator prevents new lines from forming and slows the progression of existing wrinkles.
Before and After 1 HALO treatment. Images courtesy of Sciton.
Asymmetries and Unevenness
If you’re looking for increased facial harmony in terms of symmetry and skin complexion, Botox and MOXI are the way to go. Botox can be used to balance proportions that become misaligned through muscle activity. MOXI addresses uneven pigmentation and texture with a laser that targets melanocytes (pigment-creating cells).
Drooping and Dullness
Although this isn’t its primary function, Botox can create a lifted appearance, depending on its placement. Pairing it with BBL HEROic can create a more refreshed and uplifted look. BBL works to fortify the skin barrier and reduce pigmentation and vascularity. It leaves you with clearer skin without the use of heat (like with a laser).
All of the Above
If you’re having trouble picking a primary concern because these all resonate with you, then you don’t actually have to decide on just one combo. HALO Tribrid is a laser treatment that combines three wavelengths to treat a wide range of concerns. HALO Tribrid plus Botox will leave you with skin smooth and clear as a baby’s. For overall skin rejuvenation, this is the ultimate combo.
Can You Get Botox and Laser Treatments Together?
The short answer to whether or not you can have botox and laser done during the same appointment is… It depends. It’s a cop-out, but it’s true. The general guidance is to space appointments out, but there are some key factors to consider.
Lasers involve heat, which can manipulate the skin and diffuse Botox placement and efficacy if performed after the fact. If the laser is performed before the Botox, however, the injection site might be compromised by any swelling and redness. For these reasons, it’s advisable to space out your Botox and laser treatments by at least 2 weeks, to allow your skin to settle into its results.
In terms of the order, it’s best to complete your laser skin resurfacing first and follow up with a neuromodulator. This way, your Botox can work uninterrupted for the full term of its effectiveness, which ranges from 3–4 months.
Non-ablative lasers (like MOXI) and IPL treatments (like BBL HEROic) are a bit more forgiving in that they don’t require as much downtime. In some instances they can even be followed up by Botox within the same appointment. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
As far as follow-up goes, the HALO laser is effective for up to a year and requires no follow-up within that period. The MOXI laser can be done 2-4 times within the year, so you can plan your Botox and MOXI appointments for the same month. BBL HEROic shows its best results when performed 3-4 times, a month apart.
Pairing Botox and Laser for Optimal Outcomes
Like any good pairing, Botox and laser treatments complement each other through their shared and varied functions. They multiply efficacy when addressing similar skin concerns, and they fill in the gaps for each other when addressing different issues. (Metaphorically) standing hand in hand, Botox and laser work better together.
