Icon with a downward angle Icon in the shape of a downward angle. Botox gave me some small bruises. Eyebrow creases are a bit of a pain to apply, but they work and have no side effects. Julia Pugachevsky I’ve tried Botox and facial taping to get rid of wrinkles on my forehead. Both have their drawbacks: cost, convenience, side effects. One gave me a more natural look and felt more realistic that I could maintain for years to come.
Despite warnings to wear sunscreen to prevent wrinkles, I neglected it for most of my 20s (I can hear you scream), and I also didn’t use anti-aging products like vitamin C serums or retinol until I was in my early 30s, which would have kept my skin hydrated and firm.
All of these factors, plus genetics and the habit of raising my eyebrows about 400 times a day, combined to create thick wrinkles on my forehead.
Over the past few years, I’ve tried two popular methods for removing frown lines: Botox, the classic, tried-and-true method favored by celebrities and those who can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on frown lines, and face taping, a method invented in the late 1800s that’s now experiencing a resurgence among TikTok users.
Both worked, but both were hassles in their own way. Still, I found that one option was more sustainable for me in the long run.
Botox is much easier and more effective
When I tried Botox, I immediately understood why it’s a cult favorite. It takes very little time. The appointment took about 15 minutes (including an AI scan of my face). Within a week, my forehead was noticeably smoother, and I started receiving more compliments about how much better my skin looked. The results lasted for about three months, which meant I could go three months without worrying about wrinkles.
The Flawnies was a pain to apply – I had to wait until my skin was dry after my skincare routine before applying it – and it had a slightly weird smell that didn’t seem appealing to me at all.
The effects were also not as strong as Botox. My forehead was smooth immediately after I removed the injection, but it would go back to normal a little later that day. It also required consistency. It took about a week of applying the injection every night to see my forehead smooth out.
Face taping is inexpensive and has few side effects
Face taping is very inexpensive (about $25 for a 144 pack of Frownies) and has had no side effects for me.
Depending on where you live, Botox can cost anywhere from $400-$500 per session. If you get it done a few times a year, the costs can add up quickly. It always made me sad to see all that money being wasted on things I don’t really enjoy, like round-trip airfare.
I was also worried about possible side effects: There was a risk of, and I did experience, temporary “face drooping” and mild bruising. To get the benefits and minimize side effects, I needed to abstain from exercise for a few days, not drink alcohol before or after, and avoid lying down for a few hours — all doable things, but ones I was likely to forget.
The more serious side effects relate to pregnancy. My doctor told me that if I’m currently trying to conceive, or if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding, Botox is not for me. The FDA says there hasn’t been enough research on Botox and pregnancy or fetal development to say it’s safe. Considering I want to have kids in the future, Botox is an automatic no-no once I actually start trying to conceive.
Apply face tape for a more natural look
Botox was more effective than taping my face, but I didn’t necessarily like it. I needed a higher dose to make the effect last, so my forehead was frozen for weeks. I didn’t have any wrinkles, but I felt out of place and began to worry about looking stiff in photos.
Getting Botox injections for a special event means you need to time it right: You should get the injections about a month beforehand to get the benefits without looking like your grumpiest face at the wedding.
While Botox works by blocking the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract, face taping is a lot easier: Simply getting into the habit of lowering the number of times you raise your eyebrows from 400 times a day to 100 will reduce the appearance of wrinkles, without erasing them entirely.
I’ve never had any issues with wrinkles or other signs of aging on my forehead, I just want them to be less noticeable.
I may be getting older (and the signs are showing), but at least I’m finally prioritizing taking care of my skin, even if it means sticking on a few layers of tape.
