The amount of people looking towards preventative medicine is on the rise and the field of anti-aging is no exception. Botox and neuromodulators have quickly become a very popular treatment among all age groups for both aesthetic reasons as well as for medical treatments. When it comes to Botox and neuromodulators, the same questions continuously keep coming up. But before we clarify some of these truths, the term neuromodulator needs to be defined. A neuromodulator is a natural or medical compound that affects synaptic transmission in nerve cells by binding to receptors blocking or reducing the signal that is able to get through. There are many types of neuromodulators that are used in the medical industry with the most recognized name being Botox but other commonly used types are Xeomin and Dysport. All three are based off of the natural compound Botulinum toxin A with very little separation between each type of neuromodulator other than being made by different companies.
Neuromodulator Injections Paralyze Muscles When a neuromodulator contacts a muscle, it doesn't cause paralysis but instead causes a weakening of the muscle by reducing the signal that the muscle receives. By reducing the signal, the muscle doesn't contract as strongly as it normally would.
Botox Removes All Wrinkles Wrinkles are a natural occurring process and Botox is able to remove fine lines and reduce deeper wrinkles. If the wrinkles are static and deep, Botox may not be able to make them disappear entirely and dermal fillers may be needed instead.
Botox Is Permanent Unfortunately, this is not true. As nice as it would be to only get it done once, any neuromodulator will only last approximately 3-4 months. Muscles that are engaged more frequently, such as around the mouth, will use up the neuromodulator more quickly decreasing its time of action.
Which Neuromodulator Should I Use All neuromodulators act the same. The biggest difference is Xeomin doesn't have any additives in it decreasing the likelihood of the body forming a resistance to it. When the body starts resisting, more units are needed to get the desired results.
Neuromodulator Injections Hurt Many steps can be taken to reduce any pain felt during the injections. Ice packs are one of the best ways to naturally numb the area without added extra injections to administer anaesthetic.
Botox Makes You Look Fake When it comes to any aesthetic procedure, less is more. A little goes a long way to making your skin look youthful and vibrant, while too much can lead to the typical "fake" look. This is very important when choosing a practitioner. At Helix, we promote lower doses with the option to touch up later to get the perfect natural looking skin and appearance that you desire. Don't get pressured into doing too much at once and don't be afraid to start slow.
Can Botox Be Used For Anything Else Yes! Neuromodulators have a great track record of use for many medical conditions. Neurmodulators have been used to treat headaches, migraines, TMJ disorders, depression, acne, facial contouring, and excessive sweating. Many people find they receive a secondary benefit from the injections they receive. Overall, neuromodulators are a very safe treatment when done by a licensed practitioner who has completed extra training in the field of aesthetics. If you have any questions about whether this is a good fit for you, book in with one of our aesthetic practitioners (Dr Hatton and Dr Hennigar) for a free 15 minute consult. Our goal is for you to feel good about yourself and the treatments we provide.
As always, this post is not designed to diagnose or treat you, but instead to give you something to think about. Please book a consult with a naturopathic doctor prior to changing, starting, or stopping medications or protocols.
References
An evidence-based review of botulinum toxin (Botox) applications in non-cosmetic head and neck conditions
Ricardo Persaud - George Garas - Sanjeev Silva - Constantine Stamatoglou - Paul Chatrath - Kalpesh Patel. Pubmed. 2013.
The Therapeutic usage of botulinum toxin (Botox) in non-cosmetic head and neck conditions - An evidence based review. Saudi Pharm J. Pubmed 2017.
Botox: The Drub That's Treating Everything. http://time.com/4623409/botox-drug-treating-everything/ . Alexander Sifferlin. Time Magazine. 2017.