What are Neurotoxins, and How Do They Work?

Did you know that one of the most effective treatments for wrinkles and fine lines involves the use of toxins? That’s right, one of the most popular treatment options for these signs of aging is called neurotoxins.

What are neurotoxins, and how do they work? Are they safe for me both in the short and long run? We will answer the many questions surrounding neurotoxins in this post.

Neurotoxins – What are They?

Neurotoxins are artificial or naturally occurring compounds that harm, kill, or impair the central or peripheral nervous systems’ ability to function. Neurotoxins can harm glia, axons, or neurons, leading to demyelination or the loss of specific nuclei or axonal tracts.

Neurotoxins, by themselves, can be extremely dangerous – they can even be fatal. But in the field of medical aesthetics, neurotoxins can serve anti-aging purposes.

The primary neurotoxin used in medical aesthetics is botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin is one of the most dangerous biological substances and is sometimes known as the “wonder poison.” The bacterium Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming rod frequently found on plants, in soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of animals, produces botulinum toxin.

Adults can temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines with neurotoxins (Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin) administered in-office. The results are a better-looking you due to the absence of noticeable wrinkles.

People love Botox and other wrinkle-fighting neurotoxins; there were approximately 4.5 million neurotoxin operations in 2016. This operation is the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure in the United States.

The Different Brands of Neurotoxins

There are several brands of neurotoxins. These brands use neurotoxins at various concentrations, giving them varying results.

Botox is the only neurotoxin cosmetic approved by the FDA for making moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles in adults.

Adults who prefer a natural appearance can soften moderate to severe frown lines between the brows using Dysport, a fast-acting, long-lasting prescription injectable. Without altering how the rest of your face looks or moves.

Botulinum toxin type A, a protein isolated from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is present in Xeomin. It is a clever toxin with a double-filtered formula that eliminates extra proteins, ensuring that you receive only what is required for softer frown lines, treatment after treatment.

How Neurotoxins Work

A potent neurotoxin, botulinum toxin prevents acetylcholine from being released at the neuromuscular junction. Small amounts of botulinum toxin injected into particular hyperactive muscles calm those muscles locally, smoothing the surrounding skin and minimizing wrinkles. By temporarily paralyzing the muscle and preventing the contractions that cause wrinkles to form, neurotoxins reduce the appearance of fine lines.

The Neurotoxin Procedure

Injecting neurotoxins only takes a short while. There is no need for anesthetic. Neurotoxin is injected with a tiny needle into particular muscles, causing minimal discomfort.

The full effects often take 7 to 14 days to manifest. It is highly advisable to refrain from drinking at least one week before the surgery. To reduce the risk of bruising, you should cease taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs two weeks before the treatment.

For 24 hours, refrain from scratching the injection site to prevent spreading the neurotoxic to other areas. In addition, your doctor could advise that you take a day off from exercise and remain upright for 4 hours after the doses.

The Effects of Neurotoxins

It’s critical to comprehend potential advancements and to set reasonable goals. After treatment, visible improvements should appear in one to two days. A neurotoxin injection typically has a total effect for up to four months.

Neurotoxin’s effects will last for three to six months. As muscle activity progressively returns, lines and wrinkles resurface and demand further care. 

The more you get neurotoxin injections, the better the results of the subsequent operations will be. The more you use neurotoxins, the more the muscles will weaken and shrink; lines and wrinkles become less evident. The effects of neurotoxins are cumulative.

Following a neurotoxin injection, you can experience a few short-term side effects. These might consist of the following:

• Bruising. The most frequent adverse effect, which will pass, is this.
• Headaches. These are often infrequent and pass in 24 to 48 hours.
• Eyelid sagging Only a tiny fraction of people experience this, which generally goes away in three weeks. Don’t rub the area that has received the neurotoxin because that usually causes the neurotoxin to move beyond the targeted treatment site.
• Drooling or a crooked smile
• Dry eyes or a lot of crying
• Little discomfort or swelling near the injection site
• Flu-like symptoms or a generalized feeling of sickness
• Uneasy stomach
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness in the treated area

The Benefits of Neurotoxins

The benefits of neurotoxins include the following:

• A brief treatment of 10-15 minutes that causes little to no discomfort
• Decreases the visibility of wrinkles
• Gives a more youthful and revitalized appearance
• Gives heavy brows and a forehead a lifted appearance.
• Stops the worsening of wrinkles and lines
• FDA-approved and supported by science

How to Prepare for Neurotoxin Injections

Neurotoxin injection is a non-invasive, in-office procedure. There is little preparation needed.

Before your procedure, you should discuss your medical history, allergies, and current medical issues with your treatment provider. A registered nurse, a qualified doctor, or a physician assistant should be in charge of your care. Working with professionals ensures you get the most out of the treatment with as few unwanted hiccups as possible.

Before the process, you should wash the treatment area and remove your makeup. You may also need to avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin to lower the chance of bruising. A consultation with professionals will clarify what you need to do during the days leading up to your neurotoxin injections.

Where to Get Neurotoxin Injections?

The best way to get neurotoxin injections is by working with professionals. You can avoid the extreme risks of the treatment while enjoying the full extent of the treatment’s benefits if you work with professionals from the consultation to the recovery stage. Contact SeaMist MedSpa at 401-782-2400 or [email protected] for inquiries.