Injections of neurotoxin, Botulinum Toxin Type A, also referred to as neuromodulators or commonly known as “Botox” injections; as Botox was the first on the scene approved for cosmetic use. In the US, the name brands available for treatment are Botox, Dysport, Jeaveau, and Xeomin. Neurotoxins have long been used in medicine for non-cosmetic treatments of issues such as torticollis, migraines, urinary bladder spasticity, and blepharospasm. The neurotoxin binds to the receptors in the muscles locally where injected blocking the neurotransmitters from signaling the muscle to contract.
How it works
The medicine arrives in a glass vial with a small amount of powder inside. Your provider will take sterile saline and reconstitute this according to their preferred concentration. Most commonly today is 40 units per CC in order to minimize unwanted migration of the product. While there is much conjecture amongst injectors as to which product has a faster onset, stronger hold, and lasts longer; there are definitely perceived nuances, however, in general terms they have an onset of action of about 5-14 days and last approximately 3 months. The average national cost is approximately $13/unit and to treat an average adult face including forehead, glabella, eyes, chin, and neck bands. You are going to require between 30-75 units for a meaningful lasting treatment; depending of course the level of correction one is seeking and the anatomical size of the patient. For example, a 6’4” 250- pound male is going to require much more than a petite 5’0” female.
Your provider, which should be a properly trained and certified Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, or Physician will take your medical history and perform a brief medical exam. We screen for contraindications such as Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis, and Guillan-Barré syndrome. Asymmetries and muscular function will be noted then your skin will be cleaned and sanitized. A 30-34 gauge needle will be used to place the medicine in a meticulous fashion and sometimes bruising may occur afterward if a vessel inadvertently nicked. Beginning two weeks in advance, avoiding substances such as alcohol, fish oil, green tea, ibuprofen, aspirin, Ginko Biloba, and vitamin e will help minimize the occurrence. Post injections, I advise my patients to refrain from lying on their face, such as while getting a massage, avoid exercising for 24 hours, and skip makeup for 24 hours.
The onset of the effects of the toxin is gradual like a bell curve as is their dissipation at the end of the 3-month period.
It is noted that some people just don’t seem to have the same level of expected efficacy as the majority of the population that is treated with Botulinum Toxin. A very astute Oculoplastic Surgeon, Dr. Charles Sopakar, noted that his patients that had a zinc deficiency were having this phenomenon and that approximately 50% of people are zinc deficient. For this reason, as well as general health and immune system support, I recommend all my patients take a zinc supplement daily. Zinc supplementation extends and potentiates the effects of neurotoxin by up to 30%! This is a must to enhance your results and protect your investment.
This week’s Instagram giveaway is 20 units of neurotoxin to treat an area of your choice. To enter: Must be following @J_Derme and @SoCalMoments, like the @SoCalMoments Instagram post, and comment “rejuvenated”. The winner will be announced in the next Beauty Guru IG post.
Author Bio: Heidi Lindner has been an aesthetics expert for over 17 years specializing in all aspects of non-surgical aesthetics and plastic surgery. She is sought out for her techniques that focus on a natural-looking approach to facial balancing, restoration, and beauty optimization. Follow her on Instagram @j_derme