Neurotoxins are substances that have effect on the nervous system. The neurotoxins used in aesthetic medicine are typically a type of botulinum toxin, more wider known by the brand names Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin.
Neurotoxins affect the nervous system by temporarily blocking the signals between nerves and muscles. This is why when large doses of neurotoxins are administered, people may feel "frozen" and unable to move their facial muscles. The neurotoxins prevent your nervous system from being able to tell your muscles to move. This is why it is very important to assess client individual needs and goals to determine the most appropriate dosing when creating a treatment plan for neurotoxins.
In general, the effects of neurotoxins can last between 3-4 months. However, there are many things that can affect the longevity of the effect of neurotoxins, and this can vary from client to client.
Some things that can affect the longevity of the effects are:
Muscle strength - stronger muscles may have a shorter effect time than weaker ones.
Metabolism - clients with a faster metabolism may see a shorter effect.
Treatment history - clients who have been receiving treatments over a longer period of time may see an increase in longevity.
Lifestyle factors - clients who participate in regular, high intensity workouts, experience high levels of stress, and/or are very expressive may see a shorter period of effect. Having a good skincare and sun protection in place may help longevity and prevent further lines from forming.
Most complications associated with neurotoxins are mild and temporary. Most common complications include:
- Redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site
- Bruising
These complications typically resolve on their own within a few hours after being injected.
Some other complications that may have longer lasting effects, up to a few weeks, include:
- Eyelid ptosis (drooping)
- Eyebrow ptosis (spocking)
- Frozen appearance
- Facial asymmetry
- Heaviness in the injected area (most common in forehead)
It is important to complete a thorough assessment and ensure precise placement and dosing to avoid these complications.
No. Neurotoxins alone will not completely get rid of wrinkles. What neurotoxins can do is prevent dynamic lines from forming, which can also prevent the formation of new static lines. Dynamic lines are the lines that appear when we move the muscles in our face. For example, you see dynamic lines appear when you raise your eyebrows. Over time, with repeated movement, those dynamic lines can cause permanent damage to the skin, creating a static line.
Imagine that you had a piece of paper, and you folded the paper in half. You can unfold the piece of paper, but you will not be able to fully remove the line that you created with the fold, no matter how much you smooth it.
Neurotoxins are great for line prevention and can help with the smoothing of lines, but they cannot remove existing static lines completely. If your goal is to remove static lines, some options that may be of interest are platelet rich plasma therapies and good skin care routine, along with neurotoxin to prevent new lines from developing.
The effects of neurotoxins are typically being to be noticeable within 2-5 days following injection, with the full effect at around 10-14 days. We recommend that clients return for a follow up appointment at the 14 day mark to evaluate the effect and determine if any touch ups are desired.
Before your appointment, we recommend:
- avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and any other blood thinners (NSAIDs, aspirin) for at least 24 hours if appropriate (note - if you are taking prescription blood thinners do not stop without speaking to your physician)
After your appointment, we recommend:
- avoiding any blood thinners for 24 hours
- stay upright for at least 4 hours
- avoid intense exercise for at least 24 hours
- avoid touching or rubbing the area
- avoid wearing any makeup for 24 hours
Time between treatments will depend on the client. Neurotoxins tend to wear off within 3-4 months, with some clients seeing longer or shorter periods of effect. Clients who consistently treat often see a longer lasting effect. Clients who are very active, participate in high intensity workouts regularly, and/or have higher metabolism may see a shorter lasting effect and require more frequent treatment.
Neurotoxins are effective for reducing dynamic lines (movement related) and preventing formation of static lines (lines that are present at rest).
Clients who are looking to achieve a natural look, maintain natural expressions, prevent new lines from forming and reduce dynamic lines are good candidates for neurotoxins at our clinic.
You may not be a good candidate if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- are diagnosed with diabetes and your blood sugar is not controlled
- have allergies to botulinum toxin
- have an active skin condition or infection in the treatment area
- have certain neuromuscular conditions
It is always important to have a personalized consultation prior to receiving treatment to ensure that the treatment is safe and appropriate.
When you arrive to your appointment, you will be greeted by our injection nurse.
We will review your health history, discuss your goals, concerns, before and after care, potential side effects, and treatment options.
We will take photos of you before the treatment to be able to compare - these images will be uploaded to your confidential patient chart and not shared unless you sign a consent for the images to be shared.
Once we have determined that the treatment is safe, appropriate, and that your goals are achievable, we will begin the injections.
The injections will take between 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.
After care will be explained again at the end, as well as what side effects to expect. If you have questions, you can ask at any time during the appointment or by reaching out to us by email or social media.
Is there any downtime associated with the treatment?
No. After the treatment, you can go back to work if you wish. You may experience some redness, swelling, or bruising in the injection site that should subside within a few hours - days. You should avoid any high intensity exercise or exposure to heat for 24 hours and avoid laying down for at least 4 hours.
What Happens if I stop?
If you stop treatment with neurotoxins, your muscles will gradually return to normal activity and you will begin to see your dynamic lines appear when you move your facial muscles. The neurotoxins typically wear off within 3-4 months, and your natural aging process will continue as usual.
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