Make the most of your Botox

I see my dear friend Dr. Steven Fagien every six months for filler and quite-creative Botox—and there’s always that period of six-or-so weeks when my face starts moving again before my next appointment. In Before Times I’d cheat and get topped off at the three-month mark, but I just don’t really see the need at this point (unless I had somewhere major to go).

I see Dr. Fagien again in a month (so I’m all fresh and plumped for my big 45th birthday), but my complete range of facial expression has yet to return thanks to a little help from PCA Skin. For the past month I’ve been using their new ExLinea Pro Peptide Serum every morning on my crow’s feet, forehead and upper lip—and I’m here to tell you I’d probably be as wrinkly as a raisin and have full range of movement if I hadn’t.

Designed specifically for facial areas subjected to repetitive muscle activity, it’s jam-packed with peptides that reduce the wrinkling-causing muscle contractions and increase the contractions associated with muscle relaxation. (It’s a two-way street, people.) This next-generation formula also features marine extract for a lifting and tightening action along with a sugar/amino acid blend that hydrates, smoothes and softens the skin.

The plumping and smoothing can be seen immediately, and it’s a great way to start the day. I also have no visible lines when my face is at rest—and it’s been five months since my last Botox. I’m obviously not alone, because a clinical study showed that 100% of users saw a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles in 12 weeks (and that’s without Botox). After three months, the study found an average 66% reduction in fine lines and wrinkles with twice daily use as well.

And if you’re just getting started with injectable filler, using this serum for three to four months beforehand can help improve etched-in lines so you get an even smoother post-injection result.

I’m definitely keeping this in the rotation after my injections next month in hopes that it will help my Botox last even longer—but you better believe I’ll be asking Dr. Fagien if he has any extra DAXI from when he performed the FDA trials.