Neuromodulators
Neuromodulators at NexGen
Neuromodulators are treatments that give patients a smoother, more youthful appearance by temporarily eliminating the signs of wrinkles in the forehead, around the eyes (typically where you see crow’s feet form), and around the lips, otherwise known as frown lines.
According to the International Neuromodulation Society, neuromodulators are defined as the alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus, such as electrical stimulation or chemical agents, to specific neurological sites of the body.
You may not be familiar with the term neuromodulators, but we are fairly certain you have at least heard of Botox or other similar treatments like Xeomin or Dysport. If you are unfamiliar with how these treatments work, we’re here to help.
Botox
One of the most popular neuromodulators is Botox. Botox has been around for some time now and is tremendously popular due to its effectiveness. Botox is an injectable treatment that works to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by inducing relaxation of the facial muscles.
Botox is an FDA-cleared compound that is injected into the patient’s preferred target area. It is injected beneath the skin’s surface, where it binds to receptors in the muscle. When this occurs, it acts as a messenger by signaling to block the substance called Acetylcholine. This substance is responsible for activating muscles. When the acetylcholine is blocked, the muscles become inactive. This results in the diminished appearance of wrinkles that form from consistent muscle contractions. Since Botox works by inhibiting nerve transmission, it is in the family of neuromodulators.
Dysport
Dysport is another member of the neuromodulator family. It acts similarly to Botox, but it is made up of the compound abobotlinum toxin type A, which is a close resemblance to Botox as a botulinum toxin A. However, Dysport has a few minor differences. The first is that it has a quicker onset than Botox. Botox sometimes takes between four to seven days to see optimal results, whereas Dysport’s optimal results are seen in only two to five days. Also, it is capable of diffusing more than Botox, which means the compound spreads to a wider area. Depending on the area being treated, the ability to spread to a wider area is either a disadvantage or an advantage. Yet, Dysport still helps to smooth the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. At NexGen Health & Wellness, we can help you determine if Dysport is a better treatment option than Botox or Xeomin.
Xeomin
Another member of the neuromodulator family is Xeomin. Xeomin is like Botox and Dysport, but is from the compound incobotulinumtoxin A. It also stops nerves from contracting in the same way that Botox and Dysport works. However, Xeomin was not originally formulated as a cosmetic treatment. Instead, it treated conditions such as cervical dystonia and blepharospasm. It differs from Botox in that it is considered a pure form of the botulinum toxin type A, meaning it does not have any other substances but the compound. Some dermatologists have nicknamed it “the naked injectable.” Botox and Dysport have added proteins. This makes Xeomin less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Recently Xeomin has been FDA-cleared for cosmetic use to treat moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines, and those pesky lines that appear between the eyebrows called the 11’s.
Although all three – Xeomin, Botox, and Dysport – are botulinum toxins A and attach to the same muscle receptor, they are not interchangeable. Each varies in the amount that must be administered to achieve a specific desired result, and the length of time the effects last. All of the neuromodulators mentioned have the ability to stop involuntary muscle spasms temporarily, so beyond cosmetic purposes, they have been proven to treat migraines and even excessive underarm sweating.
Typically, all the neuromodulators work for three to six months, and there is only slight pain when the needles are injected into the targeted areas. If you have noticed that wrinkles and fine lines have appeared on your face making you feel less confident, NexGen is here to help. Please feel free to contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation with our injector specialist.