Wrinkles – they’re going to happen whether you want them to or not, and for some of us, wrinkles happen a lot sooner than we would like them to. But whether it’s the first sign of a fine line or a dynamic wrinkle that seems to grow deeper every day, there are a few cosmetic treatments that can halt wrinkles in their tracks and even reverse the appearance of wrinkles. At SKNCraft in Houston, TX, one of our favorite wrinkle relaxers is Dysport, the leading alternative to Botox.
Where on the Body Can Dysport Eliminate Wrinkles?
Generally speaking, wrinkle relaxers are designed to be primarily used on the upper portions of the face, such as the forehead. But that was before anyone started to get adventurous about using Botox, and sure enough, other neurotoxins followed suit. As of today, Dysport can be used on virtually all areas of the face to eliminate wrinkles. This includes:
- Forehead wrinkles
- Glabellar lines (between the eyebrows)
- Crow’s feet
- Bunny lines
- Nasolabial folds
- Chin wrinkles
- Smile or laugh lines
- Lips
For cosmetic purposes, the use of this neurotoxin can easily smooth the appearance of mild, moderate, and severe wrinkles all over the face, which makes it one of our favorite go-to anti-aging remedies. And just like Botox, this means that this neurotoxin is one of the most versatile to tackle all of your age-related aesthetic concerns.
Some studies are also examining the efficacy of this neurotoxin being used for off-label purposes, such as for migraines, sweating, or wrinkles on other areas of the body, like the back of the hands. If you’re considering this neurotoxin for off-label use, please speak with our expert aestheticians and your medical providers.
How Does This Treatment Work?
This is a neurotoxin injectable treatment, which means it is performed by a skilled technician who injects a specialized formula into the muscles of your face. The sensation of the treatment is not unlike a regular flu shot, so there isn’t any significant discomfort from the treatment, either. With no need for incisions and virtually zero downtime, this injection is both simple and effective, and your appointments should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete.
What Is Botulinum Toxin and Why Does It Work?
Of course, beyond the small injections that will be made, the key to this treatment is the special neurotoxin in the formula. Specifically, this treatment involves the use of a purified form of botulinum toxin, which is harvested from the secretion of botulinum bacteria. And we know what you’re thinking – should you really be injecting a toxin into your body? The truth is, the purified form of botulinum toxin is very safe and poses very little risk of negative side effects.
But why does this toxin work to relax the appearance of wrinkles? The key is in the way botulinum toxin interacts with our body systems, specifically the way our nerves communicate and how our muscles move – and when our muscles can’t move, wrinkles can no longer form.
What Does Blocking Nerve Transmission Mean?
Neurotoxins, as a whole, have one goal: to block nerve transmission. What that means for you is that, once this chemical is injected into the muscles of your face, those muscles become incapable of sending or receiving motor or movement signals to the brain. A toxin that blocks nerve transmission essentially acts as a barrier between your brain telling your muscles to move and your muscles actually moving.
In other words, once the muscles in your face have been exposed to this neurotoxin, they will no longer be able to move in the way your brain is telling them to. This will stop you from inadvertently making the motions that cause wrinkles to form and deepen.
What Are Localization and Migration?
Localization and migration refer to two characteristics given to neurotoxin injectable treatments such as this one. Localization means that this chemical will not suddenly end up in your elbow or your foot; once injected, the neurotoxin stays in the general location or within the muscle that is being treated. However, all patients should be aware of some minor migration that will happen within that localized area.
Migration refers to the internal spread of the chemical, which can move up to about 3 centimeters after injection. This isn’t a significant amount of movement and may even make your results appear more natural, so minor migration within a localized area isn’t anything to worry about. Treatments such as this particular formula have a slightly thinner consistency than other neurotoxins, so the likelihood of migration is a bit greater.
Does the Treatment Cause Numbness?
Many patients assume that using a neurotoxin that blocks nerve transmission will mean that the treated area will be numb – but that’s not the case. There are two different types of nerves in the body, one for motion and one for sensation. This neurotoxin only affects the transmission of motor nerves, which means you will still be able to feel your face, even if you can’t move it as much as you normally can.
What Happens When the Treatment Breaks Down?
One of the major upsides of neurotoxin treatments such as this one is the fact that the body eventually metabolizes the chemical and it disappears from the body without a trace. The breakdown of your treatment will happen several weeks after your treatment appointment, and when that happens, the chemical formula will be broken down into the smallest possible form, which tends to be amino acids that make the structural proteins that are added to the formula for stabilization. Your body will then get rid of those amino acids by itself.
What Are the Advantages of Dysport?
One of the primary advantages of this treatment is how dynamic and comprehensive your overall treatment experience will be. For example, instead of needing to use multiple treatments to relax or reduce wrinkle appearance on the face, this single treatment can be used on virtually every area of the face. Other advantages of this treatment include:
Safe and Effective
This treatment has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate and severe wrinkles on the upper face, and continuing studies have shown the efficacy of this treatment on other areas of the face. FDA-approved treatments have passed rigorous safety standards and clinical trials, so you can rest assured that this treatment will be a reliable, low-risk anti-aging solution.
Additionally, because this treatment has undergone clinical trials, there are strident patient qualifications that allow you to navigate this treatment safely. For example, if you have any milk allergies or intolerances, then there is well-documented proof that you are not a good candidate for this treatment.
Excellent Results
The results of this treatment can be seen in a relatively short amount of time, with most people able to see results in as little as three or four days after treatment. The results of this treatment are also expected to last for three to four months for all patients, with the breakdown of the chemical product being gradual. Even more impressively, because of the nature of the formula, the results of this treatment appear very natural.
Preventative
Interestingly, many skin professionals view treatments such as this one to be a wrinkle prophylactic – this is because the block of nerve transmission stops new wrinkles from forming or becoming worse while the neurotoxin is still in effect. In a way, this is both an active and preventative anti-aging treatment, because it relaxes the wrinkles you currently have and protects you from wrinkles that might otherwise form from repeated facial expressions.
Easily Combined
This treatment is also easily combined with other cosmetic treatments. For example, dermal fillers are frequently used in tandem with this treatment to restore loss of volume and correct skin laxity. You can also safely use this treatment with energy-based skin resurfacing treatments, including laser technology, as well as exfoliating treatments like chemical peels, dermaplaning, and microdermabrasion. This treatment is even compatible with most facials and anti-aging skincare products.
Other Dysport FAQs
1. Is Dysport Better Than Botox?
It’s hard to say which of these neurotoxins is better than the other, as this will largely depend on your treatment goals and the condition of your skin. Some patients prefer one neurotoxin over the other, but many others don’t have a preference. You may find that this neurotoxin works better for you than Botox, particularly if you need to address mild concerns.
2. Do You Need to Worry About Tolerance?
Regardless of which neurotoxin you are using, there is always a possibility that your body will build up a tolerance over time and that the neurotoxin treatment will become less effective. The tolerance happens because your body learns how to recognize the proteins attached to the botulinum toxin, which eventually prevents the treatment from working as intended.
3. Should You Alternate Treatments?
One way to combat tolerance to neurotoxin treatments is to alternate between one or more formulas. For example, some patients have one or two Dysport treatments in a row and then switch to Botox so that the body has a lower chance of building up a tolerance.
4. How Many Units Will You Need?
The number of units you will need will depend on which areas of the face you are treating. For example, treating the forehead requires more units than treating the area around the eyes or the nose.
5. How Much Will Treatment Cost?
Although units of this treatment are less expensive than Botox, the dilution of the treatment usually means that your treatment will require more units. This means the cost of your treatment depends directly on how many areas of the face you are treating and the units each of those areas requires for optimal results.
6. Can Pregnant Women Use This Treatment?
No. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not qualified for this treatment due to the risk of unintended toxicity transferred from mother to child. Before your treatment, you will need to confirm that you are not pregnant or planning to be.
7. Who Are Good Candidates?
Many people are good candidates for this treatment, although there are a few notable exceptions. In addition to pregnant women, patients who have a known allergy to botulinum toxin or to milk products are not qualified for this treatment.
Enjoy Your Dream Appearance With Dysport!
Wrinkles may be as inevitable as the passage of time – but only to a point. With the right science behind the treatment, it’s possible to halt the visible effects of time and reverse predominant signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. If you believe the wrinkle relaxing effects of Dysport are right for you, please contact SKNCraft in Houston, TX to schedule your first appointment today!