What are neurotoxins and what do they do?
Neurotoxins are injectable proteins that aid in the relaxation of muscles that cause facial expression wrinkles. They work by interrupting the communication between your nerves and your muscles by temporarily paralyzing the muscles. When the muscles are relaxed, the face looks smooth.
Neurotoxins are fantastic for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles in all areas of your face and neck.
Forehead
Neurotoxins are effective in areas where the muscles tend to be overused—like the forehead area—and result in "dynamic wrinkles" (meaning wrinkles caused by facial expressions).
Eyebrows
Worry or stress lines like to creep up in that area right between your brows and make vertical divots that resemble the number 11. If you're more concerned about drooping, neurotoxins can help with that too. As we age, the muscles slowly lose their position and pull downward, injections can give the eyebrows a mini lift by relieving the pressure on the sagging muscle.
Eye Area
You know those smile lines you get near your eyes that we sometimes call crow's feet? A little injection near your temples can smooth those way faster than your eye cream. Once movement is reduced, the skin smooths out.
Nose
A lot like crow's feet, bunny lines—yup, that's what they're commonly called—form from frequently scrunching your nose and can be treated with neurotoxin injections.
Chin
Deterioration of the skin around your chin is what causes chin dimpling and tends to be more noticeable when making certain expressions. When the neurotoxin is injected the muscle tissues lock in place and smooth out the “orange-peel” look.
Lip and mouth area
Lines above the upper lip and beneath the bottom lip—often referred to as “smoker's lines" or “lipstick lines” from puckering your lips—can be treated with neurotoxins by preventing the pursing motion and allowing your skin to relax.
Neck
Prominent platysmal bands (the vertical muscles on your neck) as well as horizontal neck lines or “tech neck” can benefit from neurotoxin injections by smoothing out lines and texture.
Now there are different types of neurotoxins injectables
Each injectable is a slightly different type of neurotoxin, with distinct abilities and characteristics. Our available brands are Botox, Dysport and Jeuveau. Based on your assessment (overall smoothing, lift, wrinkles, etc.) I’ll determine which brand is best for you.
For example neurotoxins can now:
Relax frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines
Diffuse heavier crow’s feet, where you may want fewer injections
Produce a softly spreading effect for high foreheads and long necks
Stay in place, which is ideal if you don’t want the product to spread and affect nearby muscle fibers
Frequently asked questions
I’ve been working with neurotoxins for over 15 years. Here are the most frequently asked questions.
Are neurotoxins safe? The short answer: Yes. In experienced hands, these injections are considered very safe and undergo extremely rigorous safety testing in order to obtain FDA approval. That said, you should avoid neurotoxins if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have certain neuromuscular disorders such as Guillain-Barre or Myasthenia Gravis.
If I don’t like the way my Botox has turned out do I have to wait until it wears off? No! You don’t have to wait to have it corrected.
In the past I didn’t like the way Botox looked on me. Do different neurotoxins produce different results? Yes! We have alternative neurotoxins that will produce a more pleasing result.
Do you have a neurotoxin that works fast? Yes! If you need a last minute treatment we can help with that.
Should I worry about muscle atrophy? For a neurotoxin to work correctly, it must limit the activity of a given muscle or muscle group. For that limitation to be visible in terms of a wrinkle-free or slimming result, there must be some form of temporary paralyzation and, in turn, atrophy. It's only natural that the muscle inherently becomes smaller with less activity as a result of the neurotoxin — it’s expected to happen.
How long do neurotoxin injections last? Most neurotoxins last three to four months on average, with results occasionally lasting up to six months.
Know that at Medically Yours, our door is always open
Our goal is to achieve the long term results you are after, making sure you are happy with your treatments. Our technicians continue to receive educational training in order to provide you with the most current, safe, highly effective products.
Call if you’re interested in a free neurotoxin consultation to learn more.
Stacy Davidson