Quick answer: The non-injectable alternatives Nikol uses are facial cupping, gua sha, Frownies facial patches, and a microcurrent device — natural techniques that support circulation, ease facial tension, and help soften the look of expression lines without injections. She is candid that she has done Botox and tried filler in the past but stopped in 2022 to focus on gentler, consistent care. Her message: there is no shame in either path, and consistency matters more than intensity.
Key takeaways
- Nikol is openly honest about her own Botox history — she started in her late twenties for a medical reason — and about a filler experience that did not agree with her. No gatekeeping, no shame either way.
- Facial cupping and gua sha, done over a facial oil, are her first two steps for boosting circulation and easing tension and puffiness.
- Frownies are adhesive wrinkle patches worn overnight to keep the forehead from creasing during sleep.
- A microcurrent device (she uses ZIIP) works like a guided workout for the facial muscles, following along with an app.
- Consistency beats intensity — she compares facial care to going to the gym, and notes that creams sold as "Botox in a bottle" hydrate but will not change the muscle.
Hey ladies! One of the questions I get almost every day is whether I do Botox and fillers — so in this video I am answering it honestly, then sharing the non-injectable alternatives I have been experimenting with for years. No gatekeeping and no shame either way; just what has and has not worked for me.
What Are the Best Non-Injectable Alternatives to Botox?
Nikol focuses on a handful of tools and techniques she genuinely uses at home. None of them freeze muscles the way Botox does — instead they work with circulation, facial tension, and daily habits:
- Facial cupping — small glass cups moved over the skin to encourage blood flow and lift the look of the face.
- Gua sha — a smooth-edged tool for contouring, easing tension, and encouraging lymphatic drainage.
- Frownies facial patches — adhesive patches worn overnight to keep the forehead from creasing.
- Microcurrent — a lightweight device (she uses ZIIP) that gently stimulates facial muscles like a workout.
She also leans on nourishing face oils, such as a rose facial oil, to give the tools slip. As with any new skincare step, patch-test first and check with a professional if you have a medical condition or sensitive skin.
How Do You Use Facial Cupping and Gua Sha on Mature Skin?
Facial cupping and gua sha are Nikol's first two steps, and both are done over a facial oil so the tools glide instead of dragging. Unlike body cupping, facial cups stay in constant motion — you never let them sit still — which is what keeps them from leaving marks. Proponents say the suction and massage encourage circulation and may help ease muscle tension and puffiness over time; think gradual support rather than a dramatic overnight change.
- Cleanse, then apply a facial oil with enough slip — Nikol reaches for a rose facial oil — so nothing tugs at the skin.
- Start with a glass facial cup, keeping it moving continuously from the center of the face outward, then down the neck.
- Follow with a gua sha tool, gliding along the jaw, cheekbones, and brow to contour and encourage drainage.
- Work gently down the neck, which can feel especially good if you hold TMJ tension.
- Keep pressure light and sessions short — just a few minutes is enough.
Nikol uses the Nikol Beauty Stainless Steel Gua Sha, which she designed in stainless steel so it stays cool, glides over oil, and will not shatter if you drop it the way a jade or quartz tool can.
What About Frownies Patches and Microcurrent Devices?
Frownies are adhesive wrinkle patches from a family-owned company first established in 1893. You dampen the adhesive side, smooth a patch over the lines you want to soften — often the forehead or between the brows — and leave it on overnight so the skin cannot crease into those expressions while you sleep. Nikol likes that they are inexpensive, last a long time, and are marketed as a gentle, preventative option. Patch-test first if your skin reacts easily to adhesives.
Her final step is microcurrent. She uses the ZIIP device, a lightweight tool that sends a low-level current through the skin to stimulate facial muscles — she calls it a workout for the face. It pairs with an app of guided facials (three to fifteen minutes) and conductor gels. If you have a pacemaker or any medical condition, check with a professional before trying microcurrent.
Should You Feel Pressure to Choose Botox — or Not?
This is the heart of the video. Nikol is open that she started Botox in her late twenties for a medical reason, had small amounts over the years, and tried filler in 2018 — which caused a reaction she was not happy with. She stopped Botox in 2022 to align her routine with a more natural lifestyle, but she is clear that injectables are a valid choice for anyone who wants them. What matters to her is making an informed decision without shame or gatekeeping. She also cautions against creams sold as "Botox in a bottle": they can hydrate and temporarily smooth, but they will not change the muscle the way people are led to believe.
The bottom line
There is no single right answer — whether you choose injectables or natural alternatives, the real difference-maker is consistency, a bit like showing up at the gym. If you want to build your own at-home routine, explore Nikol's tools, her best-sellers, and the rest of the face collection to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do facial massage tools really make a difference?
They won't freeze muscles the way injectables do, but Nikol finds that consistent facial cupping and gua sha over a facial oil support circulation, ease tension, and reduce puffiness, giving skin a temporarily lifted, sculpted look. Benefits build gradually with regular use rather than appearing overnight. Always glide over oil and use light pressure to avoid dragging the skin.
How often should you use gua sha and facial cupping?
Nikol suggests a few minutes most days, always over a nourishing facial oil so the tool glides instead of dragging. Keep the cup or gua sha moving rather than holding it in one spot, and use gentle pressure — you're encouraging fluid and circulation, not forcing it. Consistency matters far more than long, occasional sessions.
What are Frownies and how do you use them?
Frownies are adhesive facial patches, first sold in 1893, worn on areas like the forehead to keep the skin from creasing while you sleep. You dampen the adhesive side, smooth the patch over the lines you want to soften, and leave it overnight. Nikol positions them as a gentle, natural option; patch-test first if your skin is sensitive.
What is a microcurrent device?
A microcurrent device sends a low-level current through the skin to gently stimulate facial muscles, which Nikol describes as a workout for the face. She uses the ZIIP with its companion app and conductor gels, following guided routines from three to fifteen minutes. If you have a pacemaker or any medical condition, check with a professional before using one.
Did Nikol stop doing Botox and filler?
Yes. Nikol is candid that she started Botox in her late twenties for a medical reason, had small amounts over the years, and tried filler in 2018, which caused a reaction she wasn't happy with. She stopped Botox in 2022 to focus on more natural, consistent care. She stresses there's no shame in either choice.
Can these alternatives replace Botox?
No — Nikol is clear that cupping, gua sha, Frownies, and microcurrent don't replicate the muscle-freezing effect of injectables, and creams marketed as 'Botox in a bottle' won't either. What they can do is support healthier-looking skin through circulation, tension release, and consistency. Think of them as a different path, not an identical result.
