Botulinum Therapy: One of the Most Effective Cosmetic Treatments for Facial Rejuvenation

Botulinum Therapy: One of the Most Effective Cosmetic Treatments for Facial Rejuvenation

Over the 30 years of its existence, Botox injections have been used not only to treat muscle twitching disorders, as initially discovered, but also in cosmetic dermatology. Botulinum therapy has been applied to eliminate facial expression wrinkles, crow's feet around the eyes, and slimming the face, also for TMJ. The injectable method not only smooths fine lines & wrinkles, but also helps with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), wrinkles on the forehead, neck, and décolletage, tightens facial skin, and prevents sagging. To better understand botulinum therapy, it's essential to first clarify what Botox is.

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What is "Botox" as a Procedure?

Botox has become the term for the rejuvenating injection procedure using a product containing botulinum toxin. However, various products with different origins and manufacturers can be used for beauty injections. The use of botulinum toxin has become so popular that women and men are not deterred by potential side effects, such as allergic reactions or unpredictable outcomes like drooping eyelids (ptosis).

Let’s explore what Botox is, the different types of products available, and whether the consequences of cosmetic procedures differ depending on the manufacturer and composition of the product.

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What is Botox?

Botox is a product that contains botulinum toxin type A, a potent muscle relaxant made from protein that blocks nerve-muscle transmission and relaxes muscles. The list of botulinum toxin-based products used for rejuvenation is growing every year. Let’s break down the most popular and well-known products, such as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and explore the differences between them. All of these products are certified, and any qualified cosmetologist can use them for injection procedures.

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Botox (Botox)

Botox is the original American product, one of the most widely used in the world, developed by the company Allergan (USA) as one of the first. The product has established itself as one of the most effective agents for facial rejuvenation and age-related change correction.

The composition includes purified botulinum toxin type A, human serum albumin, and sodium chloride. Due to its limited diffusion, the product achieves targeted results and is best suited for complex injection sites. A provider can precisely target the problem area due to the high concentration of botulinum toxin, which prevents it from spreading to adjacent tissues.

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‍Benefits of Botox:

• Impeccable Quality
• A time-tested product with proven efficacy based on numerous clinical trials.
• Noticeable Effect between 7-14 days 
• Botox is commonly used in several areas of the face and body to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines or to treat specific medical conditions. The most common areas where Botox is used include:
• Forehead lines: Botox can smooth out horizontal lines across the forehead.

1. Frown lines (Glabellar lines): The area between the eyebrows where vertical lines appear when you frown.
2. Crow's feet: The lines around the outer corners of the eyes, often appearing when smiling or squinting.
3. Bunny lines: The lines on the sides of the nose, often seen when scrunching up your nose.
4. Lip lines (Smoker's lines): Vertical lines around the mouth, often due to aging or repeated facial movements.
5. Neck bands: Botox can relax the muscles in the neck to reduce the appearance of "turkey neck" or vertical neck bands.
6. Jawline (Masseter muscles): Used to reduce a square jawline by relaxing the jaw muscles, often done for teeth grinding or to create a slimmer facial appearance.‍
7. Chin (Mentalis muscle): Botox can be injected into the chin to reduce the "dimpled" or "orange peel" appearance of the chin.

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Botox is also used for medical reasons, such as treating excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), chronic migraines, and muscle spasms.

• These number of units  can vary depending on the practitioner’s technique, the muscle strength of the patient, and the area treated. It's essential for a professional to assess each patient to determine the right dosage based on their specific needs.
• Local Effect
• Botox works directly on the problem area without affecting neighboring tissues.

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Disadvantages of Botox:

• High Cost
• Due to the high concentration of botulinum toxin.
• Local Reactions
• Swelling, redness, and itching may occur but usually resolve within a few days.
• Rare Allergic Reactions
• Although rare, side effects like headaches, digestive upset, or numbness can occur.
• Potential for More Serious Side Effects
• If an unqualified professional exceeds the dosage, side effects such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling, asymmetry, ptosis, or a frozen face mask appearance can occur.
• Delayed Results
• The effect typically takes 10-14 days to appear, which may be less favorable compared to other botulinum toxin products.

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Dysport (Dysport)

Dysport is a French Botox alternative that is more affordable, which is why many patients, when choosing between Botox and Dysport, prefer the latter. It delivers similar results but at a lower price point.

Produced by Ipsen Pharma (France), Dysport contains botulinum toxin and other ingredients like albumin and lactose monohydrate.

The primary difference between Dysport and other products is that it spreads to neighboring muscle tissues, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Dysport is more diluted than Botox, so you need more units of Dysport to achieve similar results. Dysport can be used to treat various areas on the face and body. Some of the most common treatment areas include: 

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1. Forehead Lines

• Dysport can smooth horizontal lines across the forehead caused by repetitive muscle movement.

2. Frown Lines (Glabellar Lines)

• These are the lines between your eyebrows that appear when you frown. Dysport is very effective in softening these lines.

3. Crow's Feet

• The fine lines and wrinkles that form around the outer corners of your eyes when you smile or squint.

4. Brow Lift

• Dysport can be used to lift the eyebrows and give a more youthful, refreshed appearance by relaxing the muscles that pull the brows downward.

5. Bunny Lines

• These are the lines that form on the sides of the nose when you scrunch your face or laugh.

6. Neck Bands (Platysmal Bands)

• Dysport can be used to treat visible neck bands or sagging by relaxing the muscles in the neck area.

7. Jawline Contouring (Masseter Treatment)

• When injected into the masseter muscles (the muscles that help chew), Dysport can help reduce the appearance of a bulky jawline or even help with teeth grinding.

8. Chin (Dimpled Chin or "Pebble Chin")

• It can smooth out a dimpled or "orange peel" appearance on the chin caused by overactive muscles.

9. Underarm Sweat (Hyperhidrosis)

• Dysport is sometimes used off-label to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) in areas like the underarms, palms, or feet by blocking the signals that trigger sweat glands.

10. Wrinkles around the Mouth

• Dysport can also treat fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, including vertical lip lines (smoker's lines).

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Advantages of Dysport:

• Speed of Action
• Results are visible by the 3^rd or 4^th day, making it a great option for those needing fast results for a special event.
• Good Alternative for Botox Resistance
• Dysport is ideal for patients who may have developed resistance to Botox.

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Xeomin (Xeomin)

Xeomin is a popular Botox alternative in the cosmetic field, produced by Merz Pharmaceuticals (Germany). It was developed in 2008 and includes botulinum toxin type A, albumin, and sucrose.

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Advantages of Xeomin:

• High Purity
• Xeomin is highly purified, making it safer for injections and reducing the risk of allergic reactions.
• Precise Targeting
• Xeomin does not spread to surrounding tissues and is effective in treating even the finest lines, such as crow's feet, with minimal risk of ptosis.
• Minimal Side Effects
• Almost no side effects except for typical temporary reactions like swelling and redness.
• No Special Storage Requirements
• Xeomin retains its quality at room temperature.
• Fast Results
• Results are noticeable within 2-3 days, with the full effect visible in two weeks.

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Disadvantages of Xeomin:

• High Cost
• Its price reflects the product’s quality and ease of use.
• Shorter Duration
• Xeomin lasts around three months due to the lower albumin concentration compared to Botox.

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Conclusion

Patients often wonder which Botox alternative is the best and what to choose from the variety of available products. Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and other botulinum toxin-based products each have their strengths. A qualified specialist will help determine which product is best for you after a consultation and thorough examination.

The providers will assess the condition of your skin, the depth and severity of your wrinkles, listen to your preferences, and help you decide which product is most suitable for your needs. Whether you choose Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, our Nova Luna Wellness Center offers expert advice and a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve the best results while minimizing side effects.

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FAQ

Can Botox Be Injected After Dysport?

Yes, you can safely inject Botox after Dysport – it will not affect the effectiveness of the procedure.

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How Many Units of Dysport Are Equivalent to 1 Unit of Botox?

One unit of Botox is approximately equivalent to 3 units of Dysport.

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Which toxin is safe for lips?

A lip flip is a cosmetic procedure that uses botulinum toxin (such as Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin) to enhance the appearance of the lips. The treatment involves injecting small amounts of the toxin into the muscles above the upper lip to temporarily relax them. This causes the upper lip to "flip" outward, creating the illusion of a fuller, more pronounced lip without the need for dermal fillers.

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Which Botox Products Are Best for the Forehead?

Botox is most commonly used for forehead injections because it effectively smooths lines and deep wrinkles due to its high concentration of botulinum toxin in the product.

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