What is a Neurotoxin?
If you’ve been researching ways to refresh your look or tackle those stubborn fine lines and wrinkles, you may have come across the term “neurotoxin or neuromodulator.” But what exactly is that, and how does it work?
The Basics
A neurotoxin, or neuromodulator, is a type of injectable treatment that temporarily relaxes targeted muscles in your face. This relaxation helps soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions like smiling, frowning, or squinting. The most well-known neurotoxins are Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, and Jeuveau®.
How Does It Work?
Neurotoxins work by blocking signals between nerves and muscles. When the signal is interrupted, the muscle relaxes, reducing the ability to form wrinkles. Think of it as hitting the pause button on expression lines while allowing your face to look natural and still expressive. Neurotoxins will not alter the way you look, they will aim to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
What Can Neurotoxins Treat?
Commonly Treated Areas
Bunny Lines: Fine lines on the sides of the nose caused by scrunching.
Chin Dimpling: Uneven or “orange peel” texture caused by muscle contraction.
Crow's Feet: Wrinkles around the outer corners of the eyes when smiling big.
Eyebrow Lift: To create a more lifted and youthful brow appearance.
Forehead Lines: Horizontal lines caused by raising the eyebrows.
Frown Lines (Glabellar Lines): Vertical, "11" lines between the eyebrows caused by frowning.
Gummy Smile: Receding Upper Lip with a more apparent appearance of the gums when smiling big.
Jawline (Masseters): To slim down the jawline, or to alleviate teeth clenching & grinding (bruxism).
Lip Lines: Vertical lines around the mouth caused by puckering.
Neck (Platysmal Bands): Visible neck bands caused by the natural aging process.
Some people also use neurotoxins to help with medical concerns like migraines, excessive sweating, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching.
What to Expect
The treatment is quick and relatively painless—most appointments take about 15-30 minutes. Results typically start to show within 7 days. Optimal results show within 7-14 days, and can last 3-5 months, depending on the patient.
Is It Safe?
Neurotoxins are very safe when administered by a licensed and experienced provider. At Uplift Skin and Body MedSpa, we prioritize your safety and customize each patients’ results.
Neurotoxins were first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1989 for the treatment of certain medical conditions, such as eye muscle disorders.
For cosmetic use, the FDA approved Botox in 2002 & Dysport in 2009 for temporarily reducing the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines (glabellar lines) between the eyebrows. Since then, additional approvals have been granted for other cosmetic and therapeutic uses.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re curious about how neurotoxins can enhance your confidence and help you look refreshed, our team at Uplift Skin and Body MedSpa is here to guide you. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward a rejuvenated you!
BEFORE & AFTER NEUROTOXIN
