This season, TikTok has been buzzing with a new craze that’s caught everyone’s attention: ‘Flaxseed Botox’. With over 30 million views, this DIY trend is making waves as a ‘natural botox’ alternative. But does it work?
The recipe sounds simple enough: just water and flaxseeds. Influencers are flooding our feeds with before and after shots, showing a transformation from subtle wrinkles to what appears to be incredibly smooth, tight skin. Drea Hespen, a popular influencer, even made headlines with her flaxseed Botox video. She describes the mixture as “goopy like egg whites” and claims it makes her skin so tight that she “almost can’t move her facial muscles.”
Another TikTok star, Jenna, took it a step further. She demonstrated how to cook up this beauty concoction: two tablespoons of flaxseeds simmered in two cups of water, strained to a thick, clear gel. Her verdict? A forehead so stiff, it wouldn’t budge.
But before you rush to your kitchen, let’s dive a little deeper. This isn’t the first time TikTok has been obsessed with food-based facials. Remember the egg-white facial for blackheads? While flaxseeds are great for digestive health, do they rival Botox’s wrinkle-smoothing powers?
Dr. Sophie Shotter, a renowned aesthetic doctor, offers some clarity. She explains that Botox, a neurotoxin backed by extensive research, works by stopping nerves from communicating with muscles, thus relaxing them for months. In contrast, the tightening effect of a flaxseed mask is extremely temporary and lacks the crucial toxin that makes Botox effective.
However, don’t dismiss flaxseeds just yet! They’re packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for hydrating the skin. But here’s the catch – these benefits come from consuming flaxseeds, not applying them topically as a mask.
So, while the flaxseed facial might give you a temporary tightening sensation, it’s not the miracle wrinkle-eraser that Botox is. Think of it more as a fun, hydrating experiment rather than a genuine alternative to cosmetic procedures. Stay fabulous, and remember: beauty trends may come and go, but taking care of your skin is always in style!
