How Do Neurotoxins Work?

In the United States, neurotoxin injections are by far the most popular form of cosmetic treatment option. These injections help millions of people reduce the appearance of wrinkles and regain a more youthful appearance. However, what makes these neurotoxin injections so prevalent? Do they work as advertised? 

You should know about neurotoxins’ role in the cosmetic industry. 

What Are Neurotoxins?

Neurotoxins are any toxins that interfere with the normal function of nerve cells. The neurotoxin utilized in cosmetic neurotoxins, administered as injectable solutions, is botulinum toxin type A. This particular botulinum toxin relaxes the muscles of the face by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the facial muscles. This results in a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles on the face that are caused by frowning, squinting, and other facial expressions.

Botulinum toxin type A is sold under various brand names, including Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin. Although these medicines originate from the botulism toxin, it is perfectly safe to take them. No matter the brand, neurotoxin treatments have become increasingly popular over the years due to the high level of patient satisfaction they provide and the excellent safety profile they exhibit.

What Type of Wrinkles Can Neurotoxins Help Address?

Adult patients of any age can satisfy by neurotoxin-type injectables, which give them a more youthful appearance and alleviate a worried expression, making them appear more rested or pleasant. 

While they certainly can address wrinkle issues, it is necessary to understand the effects that neurotoxins can and cannot have. Even though neurotoxin injections can be received at a clinic or spa, this does not mean they are suitable for smoothing out all of the lines and wrinkles on a person’s face.

Two different kinds of wrinkles can appear on the face, known as dynamic and static wrinkles.

Dynamic Wrinkles

The formation of dynamic wrinkles is caused by the movement of facial muscles, such as those used in smiling, laughing, or squinting. Both crow’s feet and forehead lines are examples of dynamic wrinkles that are extremely common. 

Dermatologists often recommend neurotoxins as a treatment for dynamic wrinkles because these chemicals can temporarily paralyze or relax the activity of the muscles. It can potentially lessen the visibility of wrinkles and restore a more youthful appearance.

Static Wrinkles

Skin elasticity and collagen loss, sun damage, or smoking are all factors that contribute to wrinkles that don’t move, often referred to as static wrinkles. You lose volume as you age, which results in thinner, drier skin and a different facial silhouette. Fillers are far more effective than Botox for treating static wrinkles. 

Rejuvenate your appearance with fillers that lift the skin, reduce wrinkles, restore volume loss, and give you a younger-looking complexion. Hyaluronic acid and other common fillers can be used to fill in wrinkles around the mouth. The best results are often obtained through neurotoxins in conjunction with dermal fillers.

Search For the Right Provider

Only medical professionals who have received proper training should administer Botox and fillers. Injections must be performed with precision to ensure patient safety. If you want to improve your look, ask your primary care physician for a referral to a specialist in the administration of neurotoxins and fillers, or look online for such a specialist. 

You should seek the service from a knowledgeable, professional provider on the topic to evaluate your objectives and select the alternatives most conducive to your state of health and way of life.

What To Expect in a Neurotoxin Procedure

Neurotoxin injections are given in a clinical setting and are non-surgical procedures. The initial stage of your treatment will consist of a consultation with your provider, during which you will have the prospect to discuss your worries and objectives.

Consultation

Your problem areas will be examined, and your provider will review your medical history during your first appointment. Even if the likelihood of major complications is low, you must discuss your medical history with your provider before receiving treatment. This is because specific allergies, skin and neurological conditions, and medications can render the neurotoxins ineffective or dangerous. 

Neurotoxin Injection Appointment

Before the procedure, you might be given a topical anesthetic to help numb the area, but many patients find this step unnecessary. This is because the injection needles used to administer the neurotoxins are extremely thin, and the injections do not go very deeply into the skin. 

Your provider will reconstitute a botulinum toxin solution and inject it into the muscle at specific points to achieve the desired effect. Most patients describe feeling pinched but not experiencing much pain while the injection is given.

After your treatment, you can return to your regular activities. However, your healthcare provider may ask you to avoid strenuous activity for the rest of that day and to keep your head elevated. The most typical adverse effects at the injection site are localized redness, swelling, and bruising. These side effects should go away on their own after a few days. 

After Treatment

Following treatment, you should not expect to see results right away. Don’t freak out too much about the fact that the treatment hasn’t worked. Depending on the patient, the product, and the treatment area, the final results of a patient’s treatment are typically visible anywhere from three to seven days after the initial treatment.

If you are a patient who has never been treated with neurotoxin before, your provider may start by injecting a lower dose and then adjust it later. This eliminates the possibility of an area being overtreated while simultaneously ensuring that the desired effects are attained.

How Long Will the Results Last?

The length that neurotoxin treatments for wrinkles are effective can vary depending on the patient, the area being treated, and the product being used. However, on average, one can expect results to last between three and six months. There is no limitation to the number of times a treatment can be administered. What’s more, dosage and approach must be modified each time appropriately.

Takeaway

Neurotoxin treatments are one of the quickest and easiest ways to address your wrinkle concerns. So, if you are interested in the treatment, contact Rediscover Aesthetics. We also provide other treatments and make newsletters so that you know your options and are well acquainted with how they work.