What Are Neurotoxins?

Neurotoxins are injectable treatments that temporarily decrease the movement of your facial muscles. You probably know them best as wrinkle relaxers. Although that is their most popular application, it is far from the only one. Neurotoxins can also be used for a brow lift, lip flip, jawline slimming and several other cosmetic treatments, as well as for a handful of therapeutic purposes.

They are the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the United States and around the world for good reason. The injections are quick and effective, with a long track record of safety. In the right hands, they produce beautifully natural results. 

How Do Neurotoxins Work?

Every time you make an expression, your muscles contract to move the elements of your face in the appropriate way. Those contractions pull on the skin overlying the activated muscles, and in certain areas, they create creases.

When you're younger, your skin bounces back and the creases smooth out as soon as you stop making the expression. But as you get older, and you make the same expressions over and over again, the repeated contractions start leaving lines behind even when your face is relaxed.

Neurotoxins work by temporarily blocking the nerve signal that tells a muscle to contract. Without the signal, the muscle stays relaxed and the overlying skin remains smooth. The effect lasts roughly three to four months before the nerve activity gradually returns to normal.

What Neurotoxins Are Available at LivSkin in Minnetonka and Excelsior?

We carry two FDA-approved neurotoxin products at LivSkin MedSpa: Botox® and Dysport®. Both use botulinum toxin type A as their active ingredient, but their formulations are slightly different.

Botox®

Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is the most well-known neurotoxin. It received FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2002 and has over two decades of clinical data behind it. Currently, it is FDA-approved for:

• Forehead lines
• Glabellar lines (vertical frown lines or "11s") 
• Lateral canthal lines (crow's feet)
• Platysma bands (vertical bands connecting the jaw and neck)

Most patients begin to see results within five to seven days, with full effects visible at about two weeks. Results typically last three to four months.

Dysport®

Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) was FDA-approved in 2009 for the treatment of frown lines. It has a different molecular structure than Botox® that causes it to spread more after injection. This quality can make Dysport® a good choice for larger treatment areas, like the forehead, while Botox® may be better suited for smaller areas.

Some patients feel their results are noticeable a bit sooner with Dysport® (sometimes as early as two to three days). Full results still peak around two weeks, and Dysport® also lasts around three to four months for most people.

What Is the Difference Between Neurotoxins and Fillers?

Neurotoxins and dermal fillers are the two most popular types of cosmetic injectables. They are both used to reduce signs of aging, but they target different concerns.

Neurotoxins treat dynamic wrinkles, the lines that form from repeated facial expressions. You are most likely to see these lines in your upper face. Neurotoxins address them by relaxing the muscles underneath.

Fillers treat volume loss and static wrinkles, the lines that are visible while your face is at rest. Think nasolabial folds or marionette lines. Fillers minimize the appearance of these creases by literally filling in the area underneath them.

Neurotoxins and fillers are complementary, not interchangeable. You may benefit from both, especially if you're hoping to address concerns in multiple areas of your face at once.

Am I a Good Candidate for Botox® or Dysport®?

Most healthy adults are good candidates for neurotoxin injections. Some patients start in their 20s or early 30s as a preventative measure. Others begin later, when their expression lines are more prominent. There is no right answer, except to come in when you feel you are ready to explore your options.

Your Nurse Injection Specialist will help you determine which neurotoxin (or combination of both) is the best fit for you. Many experienced injectors use Dysport® and Botox® strategically, choosing based on the treatment area and the result they're looking for, as well as your preferences and prior experiences.

You may not be a candidate at this time if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a neuromuscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis, have an active skin infection in the treatment area, or are allergic to any ingredients in Botox® or Dysport®. You will start with a complimentary consultation with a Nurse Injection Specialist to confirm that neurotoxins are a safe and appropriate option for you.

What to Expect From Your Tox Treatment at LivSkin

Consultation

You will meet with a Nurse Injection Specialist before any treatment is administered. During your consultation, you will discuss the kind of results you are hoping for and your provider will determine whether neurotoxins are right for you. If the answer is yes, you will receive a personalized injection plan.

In many cases, the injections can directly follow the consultation. This appointment will be longer than any subsequent appointments that can proceed straight to the injections.

Treatment

Botox® and Dysport® are quick and convenient. Most patients need 30 minutes or less in the treatment room. Your Nurse Injection Specialist may apply a topical anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the injections.

Once your skin is prepped, your provider will administer the injections using a fine needle. You may feel a slight pinch, but most patients handle the sensations well, and this part is over quickly.

Recovery

You can return to nearly all normal activities right away. You may experience some redness, bruising or sensitivity at the injection sites, but overall, neurotoxins have minimal side effects and rare serious complications.

Our team is reachable after your sessions if any questions or concerns arise. Please don't hesitate to contact us.

What Kind of Results Can Neurotoxins Achieve?

Neurotoxins have a gradual onset. Most patients begin to notice their lines starting to soften within three to five days, with Dysport® sometimes kicking in a day or two earlier than Botox®. 

Full results appear at about the two-week mark. At this point, the treated areas will look smoother, but you should still be able to move your face naturally. A good injector knows how to soften wrinkles without removing expression.  

Results from Botox® and Dysport® last three to four months on average. With ongoing treatment, many regular neurotoxin patients find their results begin to last a bit longer between sessions. The treated muscles gradually lose some of their strength from consistent relaxation.  

Book Botox® or Dysport® Injections at LivSkin MedSpa in Minnetonka & Excelsior

If you are interested in learning more about neurotoxins or our other injectable treatments, your next step is to schedule a consultation with one of the Nurse Injection Specialists at our two locations in southeastern Minnesota.

Call LivSkin MedSpa at 952-236-1112 (Minnetonka) or 952-679-6538 (Excelsior), or book your appointment online.