- Botox and filler have been popular among Gen Zers for years.
- But some are ditching injectables for "notox": non-invasive anti-aging skincare.
- A plastic surgeon shared the best "notox" tips, from peptides to eating enough protein.
While Gen Zers have been driving up the Botox and filler demand for years, some are ditching injectables for a new trend: "Notox," anti-aging routines that focus on topical treatments like serums and face-taping.
The reasons range from the costs of treatments and side effects like filler migration and face freezing. Some also worry about "Botox blindness," overdoing Botox and filler without realizing it.
Dr. Jimmy C. Sung, a board-certified plastic surgeon in NYC who provides Botox and filler treatments, said doctors are incentivized to give you more than you need because they charge by the amount used. It's resulted in "overuse" of injectables, he said.
"I feel vindicated," he said of more people preferring less invasive skincare treatments. He said Botox and under-eye filler temporarily smooth wrinkles but don't address the real cause of them: loss of collagen and elastin.
From his experience, younger generations care more about a "holistic approach to keep themselves healthy," such as focusing on longevity. Some are searching for long-term ways to have smooth, bouncy skin, such as restoring collagen.
Sung shared 3 Ps — peptides, protein, and plasma energy — that he recommends trying for a "notox" anti-aging skincare routine.
1. Invest in peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that make up proteins in the skin. Collagen is made up of peptides, so adding peptides to your skin can stimulate its growth, reducing wrinkles and inflammation.
While some people inject peptides directly into their skin, Sung said it's technically illegal to use them as skincare shots (currently, peptide injections are only approved for medical purposes). Instead, he applies topical salmon sperm on clients, because salmon and human DNA are surprisingly similar.
There are more approachable ways to start using peptides. He said many anti-aging products like retinol already include peptides, making them easy to incorporate into an existing skincare routine.
2. Eat enough protein
In his consultations, Sung uses a body composition monitor to measure a client's body fat and muscle ratio.
"If there's something off, I would tell them 'get more sleep, hydrate, exercise, improve your diet,'" he said.
Specifically, he said getting enough protein in your diet can restore collagen in your skin, while losing fat in your face can lead to more pronounced lines.
If you're living a healthy lifestyle, he said exercise like strength training goes hand-in-hand with a high-protein diet, sleep, and proper hydration.
"Having a nice fat and muscle ratio is good for your body's longevity," he said. In turn, it's also great for your skin.
3. If budget allows, try plasma energy treatments
Sung's third "P" is plasma skin regeneration, a non-laser treatment that promotes collagen growth using plasma energy. Because of the deeper penetration, the results can be more drastic than simply using topical products.
But it can get pricey: A package of sessions can cost anywhere from $1,100 to $2,500 dollars.
It's why he focuses more on peptides and dietary changes when giving advice to younger people, especially if they're focused on preventative anti-aging. "This is something that they can afford," he said.
