Dr Zac Turner on anti-ageing alternatives to Botox

An Australian doctor has revealed an easy way to have fewer wrinkles that doesn’t involve putting needles in your face.

Botox is a one-trick pony. It will help you lose the wrinkles but only for a short amount of time. Picture: iStock

Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner offers some tried-and-tested alternatives to Botox.

Question: Hi Dr Zac, It seems to be beautiful these days means embracing needles in your face! All my friends love to get Botox injections. They look great and I envy them but I hate needles. Some even get something called a chemical peel, which sounds awful!

From a doctor’s point of view, how can I be beautiful without Botox? Are there alternative ways to make myself look young and pretty without spending a fortune or resorting to scary procedures? And do I really need to spend a fortune on high-end creams or are they just the same as cheaper products but with better marketing? – Helen, 43, Brisbane

Answer: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Helen. Next time you are in front of the mirror, I want you to say three things you love about your face. To glow on the outside, you need to glow from the inside! I must stress that everyone is fabulous and unique. Normally a combination of treatments is best.

Next time you are in front of the mirror, I want you to say three things you love about your face. Picture: iStock

We’ll go through a number of contemporary skincare products that I think are nifty and actually work, and then I’ll let you in on my best skincare product! And don’t forget to check my guide on how to get amazing skin.

Skincare has come a long way in recent years and you certainly don’t need to rely on injectables anymore to have nicer looking skin.

Botox is a one-trick pony. It will help you lose the wrinkles but only for a short amount of time. Typically about three to four months.

Botox is a one-trick pony. It will help you lose the wrinkles but only for a short amount of time. Picture: iStock

These no-needle solutions, on the other hand, offer a breadth of skincare for wrinkles, dehydration, pigmentation and acne. The best part is that they can last longer too, sometimes lasting up to six months or more.

Chemical peels

It does sound a bit nasty doesn’t it! Chemical peels are a skin treatment that can reduce the appearance of acne, scarring, wrinkles and skin damage. These can give your skin a more youthful or unblemished appearance.

However, I recommend you only receive a chemical peel from a qualified dermatologist. They can provide a chemical peel best suited to your skin type. Chemical peels from the store are cheaper but they are less effective and can be harmful if used incorrectly.

I recommend you only receive a chemical peel from a qualified dermatologist. Picture: iStock

Vitamin E

This will be in the ingredient list of nearly all your favourite serums and moisturisers. It’s usually called ‘tocopherol’, and I think it’s a little beauty. It’s an oil-soluble antioxidant which means it combats free-radical damage. It’s also really good value.

The most amazing thing about vitamin E is that it’s also a very hydrating molecule, which means when applied topically it can repair and help keep moisture in the skin.

I do not recommend vitamin E for people with very sensitive, oily or acne-prone skin. It can cause further irritation for some people.

The most amazing thing about vitamin E is that it’s a very hydrating molecule. Picture: iStock

Retinol

This has become the latest ‘it-girl’ of skincare ingredients. Vitamin A is converted to retonic acid so it can be recognised by our skin and responded to. Retinol and retinol alternatives can stimulate the creation of collagen while reducing signs of ageing and skin damage.

I do not recommend retinol for anyone with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

My favourite retinol product is one known as Bakuchiol. It is natural, versatile, formulated with hyaluronic acid, anti-ageing peptides and vitamin C – the A team of skincare!

My favourite retinol product is one known as Bakuchiol. Picture: iStock

The #1 skincare product

But what is my favourite skincare product? Water! For your skin’s sake, it’s one of the easiest and best beauty treatments you can do. And it costs nothing. No, you wont be able to get rid of all your favourite beauty products just because you’re drinking more water, but it will definitely help.

Benefits of staying hydrated include fewer wrinkles, improved complexion, reduced puffiness, clear acne, smaller pores, tighter skin and less irritation.

Water is one of the easiest and best beauty treatments you can do. Picture: iStock

Helen, I recommend you visit a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, GP with an interest in skin or a cosmetic doctor. They will be able to answer more of your questions, and put you on the right products for your skin type.

Got a question: [e-mail]

Dr Zac Turner has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney. He is both a medical practitioner and a co-owner of telehealth service, Concierge Doctors. He was also a registered nurse and is also a qualified and experienced biomedical scientist along with being a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering