How Do Neurotoxins Work to Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles?

Fine lines and wrinkles are difficult to treat with products, a healthy lifestyle, and even some of the best skincare treatments. At Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA, we offer injectable treatments that will do what your skin care regimen and healthy lifestyle can’t. We can create a customized treatment plan with one of our injectable neurotoxins to smooth your lines and wrinkles and restore youthful skin.

How Do Neurotoxins Work To Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles?

Neurotoxins are so effective at smoothing lines and wrinkles because they work at the muscular level. They block communication between the brain and muscles to prevent the nerve signals from telling the muscles to contract.

By blocking this communication, neurotoxins force the muscles to rest, so patients no longer make exaggerated expressions after treatment. Reducing facial muscular contractions also allows the skin to rest and causes lines and wrinkles to gradually fade.

Are They Safe?

Injectable neurotoxins have been used for over two decades and have been studied and proven effective for patients who want to visibly improve their skin and reduce lines and wrinkles.

Not only are they effective, but they’re FDA-approved and provide a safe wrinkle-reduction treatment option. As long as you’re not allergic to the ingredients and have realistic expectations about the treatment process and your results, these injectables will be a safe and effective option for you.

Can They Be Combined With Other Treatments?

Neuromodulators can be combined with other cosmetic treatments and injectables. They address dynamic expression lines on the upper half of the face, as opposed to dermal fillers, which target volume loss on the lower and middle half of the face. When neuromodulators and dermal fillers are administered simultaneously, they can help patients achieve several different cosmetic goals and provide the most comprehensive results.

We can also administer neuromodulators alongside other skincare treatments, but depending on which one you’re interested in, you may need to schedule it before or after your injections to avoid interfering with your results.

What Happens During a Treatment?

During a typical treatment with neuromodulators, the injector begins by cleansing and sanitizing your skin. Then, she administers the exact number of units you need to experience visible wrinkle reduction. The injection process only takes a few minutes, and once it’s over, you’ll be free to resume your normal daily activities.

Is There Downtime?

After your injections, you can return to work and resume most of your normal daily activities as long as you adhere to some important aftercare instructions. You’ll need to avoid hot environments, including, but not limited to, hot tubs, hot yoga, saunas, steam rooms, and even cooking over a hot grill or stove. Avoiding blood-thinning supplements and medications, strenuous activity, and anything that could increase your blood pressure or body temperature is also important.

We recommend that you avoid alcohol consumption before and after your treatment and keep your head elevated for at least four hours to avoid product migration. You’ll need to avoid touching the treatment site and avoid sleeping face down until the injection sites have healed. Once you undergo treatment, we’ll provide you with complete aftercare instructions.

What Can They Treat?

Neuromodulators can treat the most common dynamic wrinkles on the upper half of the face. We customize treatment plans for patients who want to address one or multiple facial areas.

Depending on the product, injectable neurotoxins can smooth lines on the forehead, crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes, and frown lines between the eyebrows. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll discuss the different treatment options and determine the right treatment plan based on your concerns and goals.

When Will I See the Results??

You’ll see visible results within the first few days of your treatment. Some patients see results as early as 24 to 48 hours after injections. For others, it may take three to seven days to see the results. Regardless, you can expect visible improvements in your skin within a week of your appointment and the best results after 30 days.

How Long Will My Results Last?

After you undergo treatment, your results will last approximately three to four months. The longevity of your results all depends on how quickly your body metabolizes the ingredients in the injectable. Some patients are slow metabolizers and will enjoy their results for up to six months. For everyone else, follow-up treatments are necessary three to four months after initial treatment.

Once you undergo your first treatment, you can watch your results and better understand how long they will last. When you regain the ability to contract your muscles and your expression and lines reappear, you’ll know it’s time for a follow-up appointment.

Can I Make My Results Last Longer?

There’s no way to change how your body processes the ingredients in a neuromodulator, but you can take steps to make your results last as long as possible. Studies show that taking a zinc supplement daily may help extend the treatment results.

Additionally, avoiding extreme exercise can extend your treatment results as those who participate in strenuous activities daily will need follow-up treatments sooner than those who only participate in moderate regular activity. Avoiding the sun can also help preserve your results, as sun exposure breaks down the ingredients in the injectables much faster.

Am I a Good Candidate?

The best candidates for this treatment are adults in good health with realistic expectations about the injection process and the results. Ideal candidates will be willing to follow all of the aftercare instructions and must understand that the results are long-lasting but also temporary.

If you want to maintain your results, you must commit to follow-up treatments every few months to maintain wrinkle-free skin. If you’re unsure whether injectable neurotoxins are right for you, we can schedule a consultation at our office to evaluate your skin in person, answer all your questions, and confirm your treatment eligibility.

Say Goodbye to Your Wrinkles

Wrinkles are inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Neurotoxins can do what other topical products and skin care treatments can’t by addressing wrinkles at the source. If you want to learn more about our available treatment options and begin this process, we can help determine whether BOTOX, XEOMIN, or Jeuveau is right for you. Contact us today at Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA, to schedule your initial consultation.