Botox, which is one type of neuromodulator has been approved by the FDA since 1989 which means it has been around longer than 30 years! Its scientific name short for Botulinum toxin, is a popular cosmetic treatment that temporarily reduces wrinkles and fine lines by paralyzing facial muscles. Its target areas are the frown line, crow’s feet, and forehead. Injected into targeted areas, Botox prevents muscle contractions that cause wrinkles, thus resulting in more relaxed looks. Although dosage of the Botox is recommended by drug makers, the actual dosage is dependent on the individual.
For instance, man requires more Botox. Why? It is because they tend to have more and stronger muscles. This means more Botox to relax that specific muscle. However, everyone is different as to how much movement one wants. Most of my patients want to natural and subtle look. This means, most of my patients tend to be on lower doses of Botox. Results of Botox are typically noticeable within a few days and can last for several months. However, if you are new to Botox, it might take up to 14 days for the body to recognize Botox and start to slow down muscle movement. Beyond its cosmetic applications, Botox also has medical uses, such as treating migraines, excessive sweating, and muscle spasms such as cerebral palsy.
Below are pictures of two of my clients before and after receiving Botox. One wears stress on her forehead and the other wears it on her frown line. Regardless of where the stress resides, the result is a stern, angry look. With a little bit of Botox, clients can achieve relaxed and natural-looking results.
There are a few different types of neuromodulators in the market. They are all approved by the FDA. These are Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau and lastly Daxxyfi. They are all slightly different in terms of molecular size and how they are made. However, they behave similarly. MC Modern Skin carries two types of neuromodulators: Botox and Dysport. This is due to patient preference. Some patients prefer Dysport because it tends to kick in slightly sooner due to its smaller molecular size. Others are like Botox and its reliability.
So what are some negative aspects of neuromodulators? If given too much, some people can look “plastic” like Real Housewives. Other negative things such as drops in eyes, spoke brows, heaviness on the forehead, and headache can happen. Although all these things should be cautioned, they are temporary, fortunately.
I’ve been a nurse for 30 years and have been administering Botox for 7 years! I work hard with clients to give them a natural look and stay within their budget. While generally safe, Botox should be administered by qualified professionals to ensure desired outcomes such as a natural look and safety.
