I recently listened to a Sahara Rose podcast where she interviewed Liliana Cruz, the founder of Wild Lily Organics. I’ve been following Liliana on TikTok for a while because she shares incredible advice on gua sha and facial massage techniques. During the podcast, she delved into the truth about Botox, and I highly recommend this episode to anyone considering Botox, especially younger women in their 20s.

It’s become increasingly common for women in their 20s to get Botox purely for cosmetic reasons, even when they don’t have any visible wrinkles and the skin still has a lot of natural collagen and elasticity. This trend has always made me question the long-term effects of consistent Botox use. Think about what happens to your body when you stop exercising: your muscle tone diminishes, you lose strength, and everything feels a little less firm. Similarly, when you use Botox to freeze certain facial muscles, it prevents them from making natural movements. Over time, this can lead to muscle atrophy since those muscles aren’t being used.

I started getting Botox in my mid-30s when I noticed some superficial lines becoming visible at rest. Botox definitely helped prevent those lines from deepening, but it hasn’t been without its downsides. One thing I’ve noticed is how obvious it is when the Botox wears off, which creates a cycle of feeling like you need to get it over and over again. And let’s face it—Botox isn’t cheap!

That’s why I’m a big advocate for gua sha facial massage. Doing it regularly helps exercise the muscles of the face, improve circulation, and encourage a natural glow. It’s a more holistic way to keep the skin toned and healthy. The key really is consistency.

I also want to shout out Jennifer Adell, another skincare expert I love following. She shares a wealth of great advice for maintaining healthy, radiant skin without relying on invasive treatments. If you’re looking to expand your skincare knowledge, she’s definitely worth checking out!