Maintaining that silky-smooth, youthful appearance is something we all strive for. Although it is impossible to stay young forever, looking ageless is very attainable.
Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport can create a fresh-faced appearance and improve self-confidence. But which of these products is right for you? Let’s “iron out” the details and take a look!
How Do Wrinkle Relaxers Work?
Wrinkle relaxers, also known as Neuromodulators, are FDA-approved injections that relax muscles under the skin. The protein-derived injection will help the skin unfold, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
These injections aren’t only used for cosmetic procedures. The neuromodulators are also used to cure medical ailments including:
- Migraine treatment
- Forehead Lines
- Glabellar lines
- Eyebrow lifts
- Crow’s feet
- Bunny lines
- Gummy smile
- Lip lines
- Teeth grinding
- Peu D’ Orange
- Platysma Bands
- Hyperdidrosis
- Cervical dystonia
- Blepharospasms
- Strabismus
- Overactive bladder
When is the Best Time to Start Receiving Injections?
Many medical professionals advise patients to be proactive. This means receiving injections before wrinkles turn into deep folds. This plan of action could lead many patients to begin their first treatments in their 20’s or early 30’s.
The injections do not completely remove wrinkles but smooth them out. If you are proactive with treatment, it can save you down the road from developing wrinkles in the first place.
Wrinkles caused by muscle movements like a smile or laugh are known as “dynamic wrinkles.” To treat dynamic wrinkles, an injection into the desired area will temporarily paralyze the muscle. Once the injection settles, it will smooth out wrinkles for a youthful appearance.
“Static Wrinkles” are a result of reduced collagen and elasticity that naturally occurs over time. Treatment for static wrinkles may be a combination of a wrinkle relaxer and a filler.
Have your health care practitioner explain the benefits and risks of receiving injections early. He can recommend a plan of action that will best meet your desired results.
Preparing For the Appointment
Before receiving any type of wrinkle relaxing injection, talk with your health care practitioner about stopping certain medications. Muscle relaxers and blood thinners can cause excessive bleeding and bruising, hindering your healing process and altering the results.
It is wise to skip the alcohol and cigarettes for 48-hours before your treatment. This will help prevent unwanted redness and bruising at the injection sites.
Be transparent with your health care practitioner about any medications, supplements, and lifestyle activities.
Receiving Injections
The injection process should only take a few minutes. It is an outpatient procedure and is considered to be virtually pain-free.
After the injections, your health care practitioner may ask you to hang around the office for a short while. This is so he can watch for any negative reactions – especially if this is your first round of injections.
Although side effects are uncommon, review any possible reactions before receiving treatment so you know what to look for.
The most common side effect is pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. This is temporary and only needs a cold compress. Other more serious side effects like headaches, droopy eyelids, drooling, or eye dryness may require medical attention.
Botox
The most well-known wrinkle relaxing injectable is Botox. It was the first injectable botulinum toxin available on the market. Botox injections are derived from onobotulinumtoxinA, a toxin which temporarily stills a muscle.
Botox is considered safe for most patients but is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or for anyone with an allergy to cows milk. Albumin is a protein found in cow’s milk that is used in the process of making Botox. An albumin allergy could cause negative reactions and require medical attention.
In addition to cosmetic imperfections, the use of Botox has been linked to other medical treatments. Overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, excessive sweating, headaches, migraines, muscle spasms, and muscle contractions are also treated with botox injections.
There is no downtime following an appointment. Results should begin to appear in a few days and last three to four months.
Xeomin
Another popular wrinkle relaxer option on the market is Xeomin. Like Botox, Xeomin contains the neurotoxin Botulinum toxin type A. The difference in the two lies in the molecular structure.
Xeomin does not have any protein additives, which allows it to be considered a “purified structure”. This purified form helps prevent antibody resistance, yielding better results.
In addition to wrinkle and fine line treatment, Xeomin is used to treat excessive drooling, abnormal muscle contractions, and muscle spasms.
When compared to other cosmetic injections, Xeomin proved to work faster and last longer than its competitors.
Once patients receive the injection, they are able to return to normal activities. Results will appear in as little as two to three days. Results can be seen up to six months following treatment.
Dysport
Dysport is a wrinkle relaxing injection containing abobotulinumtoxinA. This purified neurotoxin type A. The difference lies in the way the injection is broken down once it is in the skin.
Dysport is composed of smaller protein molecules, which have a lesser chance of being broken down, leading to stronger results.
Although Dysport is mainly utilized to fix moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows, known as glabella wrinkles or “elevens,” it can also treat cervical dystonia and spasticity.
Some patients notice the positive effects of Dysport quicker than that of other wrinkle relaxing injections, although most see results within two to three days.
Depending on the severity of the wrinkles, Dysport can last three to five months before another injection is required. The FDA has approved up to 50 units at a time of Dysport, although 15 – 20 units are most common.
Which Wrinkle Relaxer Is Right For Me?
Each of these injections have been approved by the FDA and have proven to show great results in patients.
Some studies have shown Xeomin to last a little longer than its competitors. However, each injection is very effective in treating fine lines and wrinkles. Each person will have a different result.
Consult with an experienced health care practitioner before receiving any cosmetic injections to decide which would be the best option for you.
How Long Do Wrinkle Relaxers Last?
The impact of the injection will depend on the depth of the wrinkle and the person receiving it; however, the usual duration of the injections is three to six months. Once wrinkles return, new injections are given in the same area.
For some patients, wrinkles may appear less severe or even go away over time due to muscle shrinkage. This can be very beneficial for those who may not have the time to keep returning for appointments.
Choosing the Right Facility
Like any procedure, the location and administrator of the injection is of utmost importance. Chose a facility that is well-kept and accredited, and a health care practitioner who is experienced and board-certified.
Mind-Body Skin offers wellness services like weight management, functional medicine, wellness exams, and acute services for patients. In addition, aesthetic services like corrective medical products and non-invasive procedures like injectable wrinkle relaxers are also available.
They strive to help clients achieve their desired youthful look without major surgeries or in-patient procedures.
The Cost of Cosmetic Injections
Most insurances will not cover cosmetic injections like Xeomin, Dysport, and Botox; however, the procedures are considered to be relatively inexpensive.
The total cost of the procedure will depend on the number of units injected. This amount will depend on which wrinkle relaxer is selected, as well as the severity of the wrinkles being treated.
An experienced health care practitioner should be able to provide a solid estimate at a pre-consultation. Talk with your health care practitioner about their financial policy and see what options are available to you.
Follow-Up Appointments
Once the injections are complete, patients can expect results in a few days. Follow-up appointments every few months are encouraged and can sometimes help weaken the winkle muscles, allowing longer timespans between appointments.
If you stop receiving injections at any point, the effects of the muscle relaxer will return; however, the aging process will have been slowed down. Complete mobility of the area will return, and both static and dynamic wrinkles may develop.
Living Ageless
You don’t have to live with unwanted fine lines and facial wrinkles. Cosmetic injections like Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport are becoming more popular and more widely accepted than ever before.
Schedule a professional consultation with the knowledgeable staff at Mind Body Skin Med Spa. It is never too late to begin taking care of your skin! Take the steps today to look younger and feel more refreshed than ever before.
