What Is BOTOX® Cosmetic? How Do Neuromodulators Work?
Over time, our facial muscles don’t really change, but our skin becomes thinner and our facial fat pads diminish. As we age, our skin creases more easily with muscle movement. BOTOX® Cosmetic prevents wrinkles because it lessens this movement, helping to prevent frown lines, smile lines, forehead furrows, and other wrinkles from forming.
When injected, these “botulinum toxins,” also known as neuromodulators, prevent nerves from talking to the muscles. The molecules block this communication so that the muscle doesn’t contract. When the muscle stops contracting, the skin stops bending.
Skin rejuvenates itself constantly. It’s always remodeling, turning over, building up, and tearing down. When the muscle no longer moves, the skin actually eliminates wrinkles on its own. When a crease no longer has a function, the skin removes the line as it regenerates.
The results of neuromodulators can be very long lasting. Even as you regain movement in the muscles, it takes time for the process to repeat itself and for the lines to reappear.
Botox® | Before and After
What’s the Difference Between BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®?
BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® work similarly. These molecules contain biologic processor proteins wrapped around the active part of the toxin. However, the proteins are different in these two molecules. They come from different strains: one from America, one from Britain. The proteins protect the toxin and to keep it working. Because these proteins affect the way the toxin works, the way the injections are measured and the way it diffuses in the skin varies.
Most patients can’t tell the difference between a BOTOX® Cosmetic injection and a Dysport® injection. Your provider will be able to walk you through the two products and can recommend the best neuromodulator for your unique skin care needs.
Why Do We Get Wrinkles?
Wrinkle relaxers provide remarkable improvement in the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead, around the eyes, and lip lines. As you age, your skin loses elasticity. The lines that appear between your brows (frown lines) and around your eyes (crow’s feet) are the result of muscle movement and the passage of time.
After years of crinkling and wrinkling, those frown lines and crow’s feet linger and become more pronounced. We encourage men and women to start low doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic before wrinkles become permanent. After wrinkles have formed, regular injection of these neuromodulators can smooth and eliminate these troublesome signs of aging.
Treatments for frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles are the most common. However, we treat other areas of the face as well. In most cases, treatment can visibly smooth and soften these wrinkles.
Beyond the Frown Lines
When most people think of cosmetic injectables like BOTOX® Cosmetic, they usually associate them with treating common facial wrinkles such as frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. But these popular neuromodulators offer many more possibilities.
These versatile treatments can be customized to address a wide range of aesthetic concerns, helping to rejuvenate and refresh multiple parts of the face and neck, including bunny lines, chin dimpling, marionette lines, masseter muscles, neck cording, and more.
Will My Face Look Frozen?
Frozen facial expressions are the result of someone who has been overmedicated. An experienced professional won’t let this happen. Your provider should recommend an amount of BOTOX® Cosmetic that reduces movement enough to eliminate lines without freezing your muscles completely.
We like to see our patients again after two weeks to evaluate their results. If a higher dose is needed, we can administer more or make notes about individual preferences for future treatments.
If you’ve hesitated to contact your dermatologist about BOTOX® Cosmetic, there’s no need to worry. An experienced professional will recommend the best injection plan for your needs and determine the appropriate dosage. If your goal is to soften lines, these treatments are designed to do exactly that.
BOTOX® Cosmetic Neuromodulator Do’s and Don’ts
DO Your Research and Ask Questions
Before you make your appointment, ask the office staff these questions so you know what to expect from treatment:
- Does this office include an on-site medical director who is a board-certified dermatologist?
- How much training has my injector had?
- Are all treatments customized per patient?
- Who performs the treatments?
Remember, dermatologists are specially trained to care for the skin and supervise skilled injectors. It’s always best to seek care from a true expert.
DO Follow Post-Treatment Instructions
- Exercise your face muscles for about two hours after treatment by smiling, frowning, scrunching your face, and raising your eyebrows.
- Do not lie down for four hours following your treatment.
- Skip your workout for the rest of the day.
DO Follow a Treatment Schedule
You’ll see the best results by staying on a regular treatment schedule. When movement begins to return, schedule your next appointment before lines fully reappear.
DO Ask: Will My Treatment Be Customized?
The degree of muscle relaxation is always up to you. Our expert injectors customize each treatment to avoid a “frozen” look while still delivering natural, refreshed results.
You’ll look like yourself—just with smoother skin and less noticeable frown lines and crow’s feet.
If you notice any irregularities at the two-week mark, we encourage you to come in for a follow-up. Small adjustments can be made, and notes will be added to refine future treatments.
Have more questions about BOTOX® Cosmetic? Contact us to schedule a consultation.