The Beauty Treatment You’re Missing (Hint: It’s Not Botox)

We need to talk about the eternal pursuit of smooth skin. You’ve scrolled past countless TikToks of 22-year-olds using face tape, your best friend swears by Botox, and your coworker just confessed they got a little “something” done. But what actually works? Thankfully, Arielle Lorre is here to break it all down.

On the latest episode of Well with Arielle Lorre, she sat down with Dr. Justin Harper, a cosmetic medicine expert, to separate the gimmicks from the gold. And let’s say if you’re booking filler appointments for your nasolabial folds, you might want to reconsider.

The truth about botox

Botox is the OG, the gateway to the world of tweakments. But is it the ultimate solution to looking snatched forever? According to Dr. Harper, not exactly.

“Everything with Botox is a Band-Aid,” he says, explaining that while it can work wonders for prevention, it’s not a cure-all. In fact, he notes that the number one thing people regret is not starting sooner, but also emphasizes that it’s never the one thing that makes or breaks someone’s appearance.

Botox works best for maintenance—it softens fine lines, prevents deeper wrinkles, and can keep your face from creasing in ways you didn’t even know it did (hello, accidental sleep scowling). But if you think it’s the key to looking younger forever, Harper says you’re missing the bigger picture.

The filler fallacy

If you’ve ever witnessed overfilled cheeks or “pillow face” syndrome, you know that filler can be a slippery slope. Dr. Harper points out that many practitioners overdo it in areas that shouldn’t be treated at all—like those infamous nasolabial folds.

“If I could ban treating nasolabial folds with filler, I would,” he declares.

Why? Because it can masculinize the face and create an unnatural look. Instead of targeting the folds, he recommends focusing on areas that actually lose volume with age—like the temples and chin.

Yes, temples.

Harper calls temple volume loss the biggest contributor to facial aging that most people ignore. “There’s probably more volume loss in the temple alone than anywhere else on the face.” So if you’re constantly looking tired despite all the hyaluronic acid in the world, you might want to shift your focus.

Face taping: TikTok trend or real fix?

If you’ve spent any time on BeautyTok, you’ve seen face-taping. It’s exactly what it sounds like—strategic taping of the face, usually overnight, to limit muscle movement and prevent wrinkles. But does it actually work?

Arielle, who has stepped back from Botox, swears by it. “I wake up, and it looks like I have fresh Botox. It’s crazy,” she shares.

Dr. Harper doesn’t totally dismiss it, either. While it’s not a permanent solution, he acknowledges that anything that limits muscle movement and preserves your skin “bank” can be helpful. However, he reminds us that nothing—nothing—beats proper skincare and maintenance treatments like microneedling.

The microneedling revelation

If you’re looking for the most underrated treatment in aesthetics, microneedling might be it.

“Microneedling is the number one thing people regret not doing sooner,” says Harper. And yet, it’s still overshadowed by injectables and trendy skin fads.

Why is it so good? Because it stimulates collagen production, improves texture, and enhances skin over time—without the risk of looking done. Consider it your best friend if you’re serious about long-term skin health.

Don’t chase trends—find what works

The biggest mistake people make in aesthetics is getting caught up in trends rather than focusing on what actually works for their unique face.

Dr. Harper advises against treating symptoms of aging instead of the causes. “We hyperfixate on what tells us we’re aging because we don’t see the big picture in ourselves.” Translation? Just because you see a line doesn’t mean the solution is to fill it. Sometimes, it’s about addressing volume loss, skin quality, or facial structure instead.

So what should you be doing? Here’s the short list:

• Botox: Great for maintenance, but not a magic fix.
• Filler: Be strategic—temples and chin over nasolabial folds.
• Face Taping: Fun for TikTok, but not a replacement for real treatments.
• Microneedling: Criminally underrated. Do it. Yesterday.
• Skincare: Stop overloading. Less is more, and you don’t need 16 steps.

At the end of the day, looking good is about the long game, not the quick fix. So before you book that impulse appointment, ask yourself: Will this make me look good today, or ten years from now? The answer might just save your face.For more insights, listen to the full episode of Well with Arielle Lorre and take notes—because trust me, you’ll want to.