Expert debunks common social media anti-wrinkle myths

It is a fact of life that all of us will age as we get older but many of us want to combat the visible signs of ageing. Anti-ageing treatments have become a huge commodity for Australians looking to reduce wrinkles and achieve a fresher look, although not all methods they may be looking into are recommended by experienced professionals.

According to the Australian Medical Board, the cosmetic treatment industry generates over one billion dollars a year from treatments purchased like botox, fat dissolve and fillers. As the study from 2023 highlights an increase in demand for cosmetic procedures, it warns of reforms needed to ensure patients are making informed decisions and receiving treatments from qualified professionals.

There are a lot of products and lifestyle tips online which swear to turn back the clock and reduce facial wrinkles, not all of them true. Some of these tips and products are shared to market products and increase sales for brands but may not achieve the desired results consumers are looking for. To combat false information online, cosmetic experts from Gorgeous Smiles, who are a dental and anti-wrinkle practice, have commented on TikTok anti-wrinkle advice to dispel online myths.

Myth 1: Expensive products work better at wrinkle prevention

Dr. Ghamari: “This has long been a myth within the skincare community, largely promoted by brands advertising that a higher cost leads to better quality. It is not in fact true that a more expensive product would necessarily work better to combat signs of ageing. It is often the case that similar products use the same active ingredients but are priced differently due to branding and marketing decisions.Clearly it is important to talk to a registered medical professional and even get a second opinion before proceeding with one or the other” 

Myth 2: You don’t need to wear sunscreen

Dr. Ghamari: “There is a dangerous spread of misinformation about sunscreen on social platforms currently, with dozens of users advocating to avoid sunscreen use. Sunscreen is one of the best preventative methods to reduce wrinkles as you age, as well as protecting your skin from developing skin cancer or being at risk of sunburn.”

Myth 3: Flaxseed gets rid of wrinkles

Dr. Ghamari: “There is a trend currently across TikTok which encourages people to mix flaxseed with boiling water, let it cool then apply it all over your face. The belief is this can achieve a ‘botox-like’ effect and get rid of wrinkles. This is simply just not true. Flaxseed can have health benefits but no D.I.Y. treatment at home like this would make a difference to reducing wrinkles in long term.”

Myth 4: You need to start Botox as young as possible for the best results

Dr. Ghamari: “This is a commonly spread myth to encourage patients to try Botox younger and ultimately spend more money getting top-ups over time. There is no scientific evidence to suggest getting Botox younger would prevent wrinkles as you age. Of course, if you have gotten Botox young and continued treatment you won’t notice when wrinkles would naturally have begun. Most experts agree that Botox should be considered when patients are late twenties to early thirties, this does of course depend on individual choice.Again it can vary from person to person and shall be discussed with your medical professionals”

Myth 5: Wrinkles get worse if you start Botox then stop using it

Dr. Ghamari: “There is a common misconception that using Botox then stopping will result in wrinkles getting worse afterwards, this isn’t true. Once Botox wears off your skin goes back to its natural baseline, meaning the Botox hasn’t caused the wrinkles as these would have naturally occurred had you never gotten the treatment in the first place.”

Myth 6: Genetics dictate how we age

Dr. Ghamari: “Lifestyle, by far, impacts how you age more than genetics. Genetics only account for a small percentage of this. Factors such as diet, sun exposure and taking care of your general health will have the most impact on how your skin develops with age.”

Myth 7: Facial exercises reduce wrinkles

Dr. Ghamari: “There is a belief that doing certain facial exercises could reduce wrinkles or prevent them, this is not true. The act of moving your facial muscles pulls your skin, instead of tightening it, making it more likely to stretch than tighten. When you use treatments like Botox, the muscle is frozen to stop it from moving, proving how this advice is counter-productive.”

Myth 8: Moisturisers can reduce wrinkles

Dr. Ghamari: “Moisturisers do have their benefits, as they trap water in the skin which leads to increased hydration. Skin dehydration could lead to small lines, meaning moisturisers do not combat wrinkles but they do support better skin texture overall if used correctly. They cannot undo negative lifestyle factors like smoking or poor diet, as these have significant detrimental effects on your skin.”

https://www.gorgeoussmiles.com.au/ 

About Gorgeous Smiles:

Gorgeous Smiles is an established dental clinic conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne’s bustling Central Business District. We are proud to have a team of talented dentists with many years of working in general and cosmetic dentistry. We focus on providing our clients with a comprehensive range of affordable dental services tailored to their individual needs at our clinic. We are committed to customer satisfaction and aim to be as flexible as possible to accommodate the needs of each and every person who walks through our doors.

About Dr. Minoo Ghamari: 

DMD, MRACDS Degree: DDS 

Dr. Minoo Ghamari has obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Debrecen Hungary, at the moment a member of Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons  and possesses extensive experience working in dental practices across three different continents. She has a keen interest in cosmetic dentistry and firmly believes that an individual's smile is one of their most valuable assets. Dr. Minoo provides exceptional dental care across all areas of dentistry, with a particular emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, where she displays exceptional expertise.