Wrinkle Relaxers

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Smooth Away Lines

A wrinkle relaxer, or neuromodulator, is a treatment that relaxes facial muscles to help the skin smooth out, providing an overall more youthful and refreshed look.

Unlike dermal fillers that provide volumizing effects, wrinkle relaxers do not have a direct effect on the skin itself. Still, even this slight alteration in the muscles of the face can produce striking results. The most popular neuromodulators provided by doctors today are Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin – all FDA-approved for cosmetic purposes. 

If you’re looking for wrinkle relaxers to help you look and feel younger and more vibrant, Alexus Surgery Center & Medspa has solutions for you to consider. With a quick call to our office at (888) 463-9532 or a request for a consultation online, you can get started feeling great about your skin again! 

How Neuromodulators Work 

The active ingredient in all neuromodulators is botulinum toxin. This is a byproduct of the bacteria clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin is able to relax the muscles through blocking of a neurotransmitter needed for muscular contraction, acetylcholine. Differing amounts of the neuromodulator in the muscle results in different reactions. 

Proper cosmetic use of neuromodulators leave facial muscles still able to function well, but they will relax enough to minimize dynamic wrinkles. These types of wrinkles are apparent with facial expressions, but go away once the face is simply resting. Aside from its cosmetic use, products with botulinum toxin as its main active ingredient has been FDA approved to treat migraine headaches, cervical dystonia (involuntary neck muscle contractions), facial spasms, eyelid twitching, misalignment of the eyes (strabismus), and even urinary incontinence. (1)

Which Neuromodulator Injectable is the Best?

Since wrinkle relaxers all have the same active ingredient, their formulas are similar and their differences are subtle. Botox and Dysport have different purification processes and Dysport seems to have a wider distribution, or spread, when injected into the face. (2)  This is partially due to its formulation having a larger concentration of botulinum toxin. (3) Jeuveau was approved in 2019 for cosmetic use and it has been shown to take effect faster than Botox and Dysport. Unlike other neuromodulators, Xeomin, known colloquially as the “naked injectible”, has no additional ingredients, being composed of pure botulinum toxin.

How Long Do Results Last?

Due to the slight variations in formulation between these three wrinkle relaxers, results last for varying amounts of time. The skill of the injector and your own unique anatomy and metabolism also matter.

Onset and Duration of Wrinkle Relaxers

  • Botox fully takes effect within 10 days and lasts 3-6 months 
  • Dysport takes effect within 2 to 14 days and lasts 3-5 months. 
  • Jeuveau takes effect within 2 to 7 days and lasts 4-6 months.
  • Xeomin takes effect within 3 to 4 days and lasts 3-6 months.

What Are the Benefits of Wrinkle Relaxers?

No matter what type of wrinkle relaxer you opt for, the benefits you can expect from these treatments are roughly the same: 

  • Wrinkle Reduction: Botox effectively diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, particularly those caused by repetitive muscle movements. It targets dynamic wrinkles, such as forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet, resulting in smoother and more youthful skin.
  • Smoother Skin Texture: Botox has the remarkable ability to improve skin texture and tone. By reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, it creates a smoother and more even complexion, giving the skin a youthful glow.
  • Youthful and Rejuvenated Appearance: Overall, Botox treatments provide a youthful and rejuvenated look. It helps to turn back the clock on aging, restoring a sense of confidence and self-assurance.
  • A Simple, Fast Procedure: Injectables are some of the most efficient, hassle-free facial rejuvenation sessions. Depending on their individualized plan, patients can expect to spend less than 30 minutes in the treatment room!

Personal Consultation

A personal consultation at Alexus Surgery and Medspa will help you find out if you may benefit from wrinkle relaxers. We will review your medical history, inform you on other options available, such as dermal fillers, and detail more about the procedure itself. We will formulate a customized plan that is meant to improve your unique cosmetic issues. Call our San Diego office at (888) 463-9532 or make an online request for a consultation to learn more about how wrinkle relaxers can make a drastic change in your appearance in confidence levels. 

Preparation 

To minimize your chances of bruising, you should stop taking blood thinners about 1 week before your wrinkle relaxer session. Before coming to your appointment, ensure that your face is clean and makeup-free. Your injector will further cleanse your face with alcohol to prevent the possibility of infection. 

Injectable Procedure 

Wrinkle relaxers are simple injections, but the technique used is strategic. The highly experienced injectors at Alexus Surgery Center and Medspa are well-equipped to handle your specific needs with extensive knowledge of facial anatomy. 

Before your injections are administered, your injector will note the wrinkled locations they will target. Once all of the treatment areas are determined, your injector will inject slowly so that the formula does not migrate to areas outside the treatment zone. Depending on the location, the severity of the wrinkles, and the strength of the specific facial muscle targeted, varying amounts will be used at varying depths within the skin.

To treat crow’s feet, your injector will administer the wrinkle relaxer within the orbicularis oculi. For frown lines between the eyebrows, they will inject a series of muscles called the glabellar complex. These are depressor muscles, meaning that when they contract, they push downwards. When a wrinkle relaxer is applied to these types of muscles, they relax and allow the skin to lift upwards. For forehead wrinkles, your injector will administer small amounts of the relaxer into the frontalis muscle. The frontalis is an elevator muscle, so injectors are careful to not over-inject and cause the forehead and brows to move downwards. The entire procedure only takes around 20 minutes and doesn’t require downtime from your daily activities. 

Recovery 

The recovery from wrinkle relaxers is quite simple. After injections, patients should avoid lying down for 4 to 6 hours so that the medication does not migrate to other locations in the face. Patients should avoid touching their face, showering, and exercising for at least 24 hours. Beyond this, keeping up with a doctor-approved skincare regimen and using sunscreen will help keep your skin looking young and refreshed.

Cost of Wrinkle Relaxers in San Diego

The cost of your treatment will depend on the number of injections you receive, the number of vials used, and which wrinkle relaxer you decide on. After your personal consultation and an evaluation of your skin, we will be able to determine an estimate. For those who may be interested in long-term wrinkle relaxer or dermal filler treatment, we offer annual memberships. 

Book your consultation with our experienced staff by calling (888) 463-9532 or by completing a simple inquiry form on our website.

FAQ

What is the difference between wrinkle relaxers and dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers treat different signs of aging. Dermal fillers are designed to fill out hollow areas and volumize while providing more structural support to the skin. Dermal fillers have active ingredients that allow the skin to boost its production of connective proteins. Meanwhile, wrinkle relaxers only modify the muscle beneath the skin; they block the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in order to stop muscle contraction and relax the skin overlying it. Wrinkles cannot form when there is no muscle movement to generate it. 

Does Botox work as a wrinkle prevention treatment? 

Getting frequent Botox treatments can prevent the formation of dynamic wrinkles, which are wrinkles that form when you make facial expressions.

Do wrinkle relaxers prevent facial expressions?

With an experienced injector and the right amount of wrinkle relaxer, your facial expressions shouldn’t be too limited. Still, in order to prevent the formation of static wrinkles, there will be some minor effects to your facial mobility. Most patients find that they are still able to be as expressive as they want to be. 

Can wrinkle relaxers damage your facial muscles? 

Wrinkle relaxers inhibit muscular contractions, but they will not cause long-term damage. They are temporary treatments with ingredients that the body can easily metabolize after a few months. 

How long have neuromodulators been researched?

Research on botulinum toxin for the medical treatment of cross eyes (strabismus) began in the late 1960s. By 1989, it was FDA approved for the treatment of eyelid twitching and strabismus. By the early 90s, solid research had emerged that botulinum toxin could be used to treat wrinkles. By 2002, the FDA had approved the first cosmetic neuromodulator, Botox. 

References 

  1. Padda IS, Tadi P. Botulinum Toxin. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557387/#:~:text=Botulinum%20toxin%20is%20a%20medication 
  2. Walker TJ, Dayan SH. Comparison and overview of currently available neurotoxins. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. 2014;7(2):31-39. Accessed August 18, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3935649/#:~:text=Dysport%C2%AE%2FReloxin%C2%AE%2FAzzalure%C2%AE.&text=It%20was%20approved%20by%20the 
  3. Shtefan V, Fletcher J, Duclos OA. Causes of Botulinum Toxin Treatment Failure. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2022;Volume 15:1045-1049. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s363321