Cover Say goodbye to fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin with these non-invasive, effective botox alternatives (Photo: Getty Images)

Diminish signs of ageing couldn’t get any easier than with these high-performing botox alternatives

For beauty enthusiasts who are always ahead of the curve, chances are they’ve been hearing more about “tweakments” lately in the wake of medical and technological advancements. The aesthetic treatment trend, which refers to the application of non-surgical procedures, such as botox, fillers and liposuction, is gaining in popularity over the past decade. More and more people are willing to try out these cosmetic treatments to improve their overall appearance, as the procedure doesn’t involve going under the knife and general anaesthetic, or staying in the hospital for weeks to fully recover.

But If you aren’t ready for a facial tweakment or still not convinced about the magic of botox, there are still a number of non-invasive treatments that you can try to achieve your beauty goals without looking unnatural. From LED light therapy to cosmetic acupuncture and luxurious facial treatments, we’ve rounded up a list of the best alternatives to botox that will help sculpt the face and tackle signs of ageing for a younger look—no injection required.  

See also: 10 Korean Cosmetic Surgeons To Know In Seoul

1. LED Light Therapy 

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Above A LED light therapy mask from The Light Salon (Photo: @thelightsalon/Instagram)

When it comes to skin rejuvenation, a youthful look can be easily achieved via LED light therapy without the application of wrinkle-reducing fillers. Utilising colour wavelengths of visible light (such as red LED light for stimulating collagen synthesis; blue LED light for treating acne breakouts; as well as yellow LED light for reducing redness) to penetrate the skin at different depths to address different skin concerns, the benefits of this high-tech skincare treatment are plenty. 

From boosting the production of collagen and elastin, to minimising lines, wrinkles and faded scars, as well as promoting a more even skin tone, LED light therapy will have your needs covered. Often performed in the form of masks and devices, it’s an ideal, completely non-invasive treatment option for delaying the ageing process and getting a healthier-looking complexion in the long-term. 

See also: Give Yourself A Luxurious At-Home Facial Experience With These Beauty Gadgets

2. Mircrocurrency

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Above A toning device featuring microcurrent technology from NuFACE (Photo: @mynuface/Instagram)

Microcurrency treatments are another non-evasive, effective solution that offers similar results to botox without causing facial pain. Originated as a muscle stimulator to treat nerve conditions resulting in sagging facial muscles, microcurrent technology today has been widely used in professional beauty salons and top spas to help clients to achieve a more visibly lifted appearance.

So how does this method work? Microcurrent sends gentle, low levels of electrical waves to penetrate through the skin and facial muscles to stimulate collagen and elastin production, enhancing firmness and improving skin tone. The results are both immediate and cumulative, and you’ll need a few appointments and be dedicated enough to use at-home beauty devices to achieve long-lasting benefits—just like how exercise energise and strengthen the muscles of our body for body shape and definition enhancement. 

See also: 4 Beauty Supplements To Help You Glow From Within

3. Cosmetic Acupuncture

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Above Photo: Getty Images

An extension of traditional acupuncture that addresses the internal causes of skin aging from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, cosmetic acupuncture has long been performed by Chinese medical practitioners for thousands of years to help people attain youthful, radiant complexions, boosting skin health without the use of chemicals.  

The method involves the insertion of thin needles into different acupuncture points on the face to stimulate blood and qi flow. It further causes controlled trauma to the skin which signals the body’s natural healing reactions has been triggered, resulting in collagen production, skin texture and tone improvement. Cosmetic acupuncture is often combined with facials, which can help restore the skin’s natural glow, diminish acne scars and wrinkles, as well as halting the ageing process. While the treatment might not be an ideal solution for a quick skin pick-me-up, it’s still worth a try if you’re looking for a botox alternative that can help you minimise signs of ageing and glow from the inside out.

Where to try cosmetic acupuncture: Eu Yan Sang Premier Chinese Medicine Centre; 6/F, The Sharp, 11 Sharp Street East, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; +852 2574 9132; euyansang.com.hk

Balance Health, 2705, 27/F, Universal Trade Centre, 3-5 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2530 3115; balancehealth.com.hk 

See also: Is Facial Acupuncture The Natural Alternative to Botox? I Tried It To Find Out

4. Ultherapy

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Merz Aesthetics

A reputed botox alternative developed by Merz Aesthetics, which is known as the first and only treatment certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) as a non-invasive facelift procedure, ultherapy harnesses the power of ultrasound technology to naturally lift and tighten skin, boosting collagen production as well as tackling all signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and visible pores. It can be also used to reduce puffiness under the eyes, the appearance of jowls, lift and firm the jawline, brow and neck. 

Pain-free, safe and effective, ultherapy a perfect dose for a radiant, youthful appearance for busy urbanites, as it doesn’t require a lengthy period of recovery or cause any major discomfort during and after the treatment, meaning you can literally head out for dinner and drinks or visit the gym after the session. The results are both instant and cumulative, where you will find your skin look and feel significantly improved over time.

Where to try ultherapy: Hong Kong Dermatology and Laser Centre, 11/F, Silver Fortune Plaza, 1 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2109 9999; hkdermlaser.com 

Sense of Touch, various locations across Hong Kong; senseoftouch.com.hk

Cosmetic Central; 18/F, 2-8 Wellington Street (M88), Central, Hong Kong; +852 2806 2829; cosmetic-central.com 

5. Top-notch spa treatments

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

If it's an indulgent spa session is what you’re after, look no further than these aesthetic treatments offered at Hong Kong’s top hotel spas. At the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, a cryotherapy facial is offered to help beauty lovers to turn back the clock and revitalise their skin with a natural glow and youthful firmness. 

The treatment is non-invasive and painless, which uses purified air at -30°C with a state-of-the-art face and body machine from renowned UK wellness brand 111CRYO and premium regenerative beauty solutions from 111SKIN to bring a great range of benefits—including reduced puffiness and inflammation, increased collagen and cell rejuvenation for a smoother, more radiant complexion. The spa also features other equally impressive anti-ageing treatments that promise to give your skin a more youthful appearance, including the Y Lift Intensive Facial for redefining facial contours; and Microdermabrasion Advanced Facial with LED technology and microcurrent to rectify different skin problems. 

Alternatively, you can try the deluxe Perfect Ten Diamond facial treatment at The Landmark Oriental Hong Kong. It features an advanced LED mask and firming massage techniques to improve skin texture, minimise the appearance of wrinkles and restore facial contours, which promises to deliver noticeable improvements after just one session.

Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong Spa, 116/F, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Hong Kong, +852 2263 2263; theritzcarlton.com

The Oriental Spa, Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong +852 2132 0011; mandarinoriental.com/landmark

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