Old Ben Franklin was right about death and taxes, but to be sure, he forgot to add fine lines and wrinkles as the third certainty of life. But thankfully, we no longer have to throw up our hands and simply accept this inevitable rite of aging, thanks to innovative and effective anti-aging injections like BOTOX®, Dysport®, and Daxxify®.
Though they’ve been around for a while (especially BOTOX®), these highly popular cosmetic treatments are still plagued with misinformation and stereotypes that prevent some who would otherwise benefit greatly from receiving treatment. To clear the air and deepen your understanding of these highly sought after, non-surgical fine line treatments, here’s a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about Botox®, Dysport®, and Daxxify®, courtesy of our expert team of injectors at Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center.
What Are Neuromodulator Injections?
From tapping a finger on your desk to throwing a discus, every time you activate a muscle (or several), you are relying on motor nerves to quickly transmit signals from the brain to that muscle. No nerve signal, no muscle activation.
Neuromodulator injections work by interfering with this communication loop in a precisely targeted way. This allows us to relax small muscles in the face that cause wrinkles over time (aka, dynamic wrinkles). Also known as expression lines, here are some highly common examples of dynamic wrinkles:
- Bunny lines: Those that appear along the sides of your nose (like a bunny scrunching up its nose)
- Forehead lines: Repeated activity of the frontalis muscle, which primarily raises the eyebrows, causes horizontal lines to form on the forehead over time
- Crow’s feet: Squinting, smiling, and other facial expressions contribute to the gradual formation of Crow’s feet
- Laugh lines: Also known as nasolabial (“nose” + “lips”) folds, laugh lines are those that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the lips
- Frown lines: Frowning and similar expressions cause the muscles between your eyebrows to fire, which in turn contributes to the formation of fine lines in this are.
These are just a few examples of the kinds of dynamic wrinkles most commonly treated by anti-aging injections like BOTOX®, Dysport®, and Daxxify. When injected into the muscle(s) responsible for the formation of said wrinkles, these treatments completely and temporarily block communication of the nerve to that muscle. In other words, subconsciously or not, you will be unable to contract that muscle until the treatment wears off. When administered properly by an expert injector, this will diminish the appearance of wrinkles and yield a youthful and natural-looking appearance.
Introducing BOTOX, Dysport, and Daxxify
Thanks to their powerful and fast-acting effects (with no surgery and very little downtime), these three are not only among the most popular options for neuromodulator injection treatments, but cosmetic procedures in general. Though they work in similar ways, each is unique in several aspects. Here’s a brief overview of the similarities, differences, and advantages of each option.
BOTOX: The One That Started It All
To condense the (surprisingly deep) history of BOTOX®, the main ingredient (botulinum toxin) was first discovered roughly 250 years ago, later isolated and identified, and still later (1989) received its FDA approval for blepharoplasty treatment under the name “Oculinum.” Allergan bought Oculinum in 1991, changed it to BOTOX®, and here we are today.
Formulations can vary slightly, but generally, BOTOX® contains the following ingredients:
- Botulinum toxin type A
- Human albumin
- Sodium chloride
The active ingredient, botulinum toxin A, suppresses acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for activating the target muscle, allowing for fast-acting aesthetic benefits. BOTOX® is now approved for both medical and cosmetic indications, including migraines, cervical dystonia, and of course, various instances of fine lines.
BOTOX® is particularly effective for precisely treating smaller areas, whereas Dysport® may be effective for larger areas.
Dysport
Though it came later, receiving most of its FDA approvals (again, both medical and cosmetic) in the early 2000s and 2010s, Dysport® offers some advantages over BOTOX® in select applications.
One reason for the difference in effectiveness and applicability is the slight difference in formulation. Instead of onabotulinumtoxinA, which is what BOTOX® uses, Dysport® is formulated with abobotulinumtoxinA.
This subtle difference combined with minor differences in supporting ingredients give Dysport® the advantage when it comes to treatment area size. Where BOTOX® typically remains in one small area of tissue after being injected, Dysport® can spread to encompass a larger area. However, Dysport® typically works for a shorter window of time than BOTOX®. Another key distinction between the two is that Dysport® will generally produce effects in as little as 2-3 days, where BOTOX® takes roughly twice as long.
Daxxify
Finally, Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center offers Daxxify® neuromodulator injections, which come with yet another set of benefits and unique applications.
Daxxify® is made with a slightly different version of botulinum toxin as BOTOX® and Dysport®, but with some key formulation differences. Namely, Daxxify® relies on peptides (amino acid chains) to stabilize the formula, instead of human- or animal-based proteins. This offers two key advantages: longer-lasting effects and a vegan-friendly formulation.
Who Is A Good Candidate for Neuromodulator Injections?
The majority of prospective patients in reasonably good health will qualify for neuromodulator injections. It’s important only to receive the treatment, however, if you present with one or more of the issues for which it is indicated to work effectively. As mentioned, anti-aging injection treatments like BOTOX® are FDA-approved for a number of medical and cosmetic applications.
Medical Indications
- Eye conditions: Lazy eye, crossed eyes (strabismus), and twitching eyes (blepharospasm) can all be treated with neuromodulators.
- Cervical dystonia: A condition characterized by painful spasms of the neck muscles, cervical dystonia patients often receive neuromodulator injections for significant and long-lasting symptom relief.
- Bladder dysfunction: Neuromodulators are often used to enhance bladder control in people with overactive bladder.
- General spasticity: It depends on the physiology driving the issue, as well as the severity of symptoms and other situational factors, but neuromodulators are indicated for various cases of spasticity throughout the body.
- Pain: Various chronic pain conditions involving pain related to muscle tension and/or repeated contractions can be alleviated by neuromodulator injections.
- Stomach issues: When tension in the muscles involved with digestion leads to delayed gastric emptying (and by extension, nausea, bloating, and other uncomfortable symptoms), relaxing these muscles with neuromodulators can help food pass through more efficiently and comfortably.
These are just a few among the growing number of applications associated with non-surgical neuromodulator injections. Though more evidence and clinical testing is needed, researchers are continuing to expand on the potential uses of these treatments for neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, and more.
Cosmetic Indications
As mentioned, the primary cosmetic benefit of BOTOX®, Dysport®, and Daxxify® treatments centers around wrinkle reduction, including neck bands, Crow’s feet, frown lines, and other common instances of dynamic wrinkles. But not all wrinkles are caused by repeated muscle contractions. Since neuromodulators rely on relaxing the underlying muscle to significantly decrease, they are not as effective for wrinkles unrelated to muscle activity, also known as static wrinkles.
Static wrinkles can emerge just about anywhere on the face, and are caused by a variety of factors, including sun damage, genetics, and normal aging. If in the process of seeking the appropriate treatment, you are found to have mostly static wrinkles, you will likely be recommended laser treatments, fillers, or other alternatives to neuromodulators.
Finally, while neuromodulators can reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles, anyone looking to more significantly (or even completely) eliminate them may need to rely on additional or alternative treatments.
Expectations, Health Status, and More
Even though most reasonably healthy people qualify for BOTOX®, Dysport®, and/or Daxxify® injections, there are still several health-related factors that can affect your eligibility. For example, active skin infections on or around the treatment area, various neuromuscular disorders, some medications, pregnancy or breastfeeding, bleeding issues, and various other factors can impede your ability to safely and effectively receive this treatment. Consult with our team to confidently determine your eligibility for neuromodulator injections.
Whether or not you are medically cleared for this non-surgical treatment, it’s also important to ensure that you have a clear picture of what to expect in terms of results. When administered by expert injectors like our knowledgeable team at Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center, injectables like BOTOX®, Dysport®, and Daxxify® can produce powerful, yet subtle results. But if the results don’t align with your expectations, we may need to consider other avenues as appropriate.
The Neuromodulator Treatment Process
The process for all three injectables is intuitively simple and straightforward. First, we will assess your presentation, confirm your candidacy for treatment, answer any questions you may have, and develop a treatment plan accordingly in an initial consultation appointment.
When it’s time for treatment, we will make sure you are comfortably positioned before prepping the injection site. Then, the injections are administered, typically in a series, to fully encapsulate the treatment area. Immediately after being injected, the ingredients go to work relaxing the muscle tissue and smoothing the appearance of the skin. BOTOX®, Dysport®, and Daxxify® treatments are described as causing very brief, mild to moderate discomfort that subsides soon after treatment (not unlike most other types of injections).
Once the session has concluded, you are free to return to your normal routine with no major restrictions other than refraining from exercising and lying down for four hours after treatment. Results will begin to appear within 1-4 days, depending on the treatment type, and will last from 3-6 months or longer with proper aftercare.
Neuromodulator Injectable FAQ
How quickly are the results of Botox, Dysport, and Daxxify noticeable?
Each treatment varies slightly along this metric, and in any case, details specific to your case (such as your skin type and tone, age, etc.) may affect how quickly you see results. To provide general ranges, BOTOX® typically works within 24-48 hours, Dysport® within 2-4 days, and Daxxify® within 2-3 days.
How long do the results of neuromodulator injections last?
Daxxify® typically produces longer-lasting results, followed by Dysport®, and then BOTOX®, covering a range from 3-6 months depending on metabolism, area treated, and other factors.
Does neuromodulator injection treatment hurt?
Most patients report the sensation associated with BOTOX®, Dysport®, or Daxxify® treatments as a “pinching” or “poking” feeling. Aside from routine sensitivity and mild swelling after the fact, this sensation is brief and typically does not require more than topical anesthetic to manage.
What about possible side effects?
While all three of these treatments are well-researched and FDA-approved for multiple indications, there is still a small risk of side effects associated with each. More common side effects include discomfort, skin sensitivity around the injection site, and swelling, while rare side effects include nausea, bleeding, and allergic reactions.
Experience a Subtle, Yet Striking Transformation With BOTOX®, Dysport®, and Daxxify® by Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center
We are here to make your visions of renewed beauty a reality, and will partner with you every step of the way to make sure you are confident with your care and delighted by your results.
Contact our team for a consultation today and invest in a treatment plan that will transform the way you look and feel.
