Cosmetic forms of botulinum neurotoxins such as Botox® and Dysport®, are often thought to be just corrective forms of treatment to temporarily reduce or eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. But, the team of Premier Surgical Plastic Surgery wants you to know that they are also good for preventive care!
The Spike in the Use of Cosmetic Neurotoxins
According to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there’s a 40 percent spike in the use of cosmetic neurotoxins in the past five years. The most remarkable finding is that more younger people are getting into it.
It turns out that many people in their 20s and 30s are choosing to use cosmetic neurotoxins to prevent formation of wrinkles. And it turns out to be incredibly effective!
Cosmetic neurotoxins – how do they work?
The word ‘neurotoxin’ may sound scary, but certain types have several uses in medicine.
Botulinum toxin (Botox), for example, consists of 7 types of neurotoxin. However, in the medical field, we only use the types A and B. Commonly known types of botulinum toxin type A injections include Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin® and Jeuveau®.
Botulinum toxin works by acting on motor neurons. It blocks the nerve signals which tell the muscles to contract. As a result, it relaxes the muscles, resulting in reduced facial wrinkles/lines. When used regularly, it’s effective in smoothing frown lines, crow’s feet, horizontal forehead creases, lip lines and bunny lines, and even for smoothing neck wrinkles/bands.
Researchers found out that cosmetic neurotoxins like Botox® aren’t just effective for ‘treating’ existing wrinkle/line formation.
Starting with these neurotoxins early on can train the facial muscles, keeping wrinkles from forming, even if the products wear off. Think of it as a marathon for your skincare. Small preventative treatments can pay off in the long run and often provide better results than corrective treatments.
Aside from Botox®, what other options are there?
Botox® may be the most popular but there are other cosmetic neurotoxins that you can choose from. Again, this includes Dysport®, Xeomin® and Jeuveau®.
When should you start getting one?
There’s really no definitive age to start it as each of us use our facial muscles differently. However, many of us have seen great results for those starting these neurotoxins in their late 20s to early/mid 30s.
What can you expect during your first treatment?
- There’s minimal discomfort from the very thin needle that is used for the injection. Any discomfort goes away right after the procedure. If you’re concerned about the discomfort, you may ask about the use of a numbing cream or icing.
- This is a very quick treatment, usually taking only about 10 to 15 minutes. However, the number of injections or the number of units may vary depending on your facial features and the extent of your wrinkles.
- As with results, you may notice results within a few days, but it can take up to 10 to 14 to see the full effect. For best and most natural results, we recommend doing this 4 to 6 times a year or every 2 to 3 months.
Still want to know more?
Dr. David Lo and nurse practitioner, Caitlyn Savage, of Premier Surgical Plastic Surgery in Knoxville offer a variety of cosmetic neurotoxin injectables to smoothen those fine lines and prevent formation of new ones. Request an appointment today by calling (865) 306-5680 or online at https://www.premiersurgical.com/dr-lo-appointment-request/.
When it comes to skincare, taking small steps right now is always better than fixing skin damages later on!