About Botox
Botox Cosmetic®, one of the most sought after cosmetic procedures today, is an injectable treatment that temporarily improves the appearance of moderate to severe lines and wrinkles on the face. Many wrinkles are actually creases that have been worn into the skin by making the same expression thousands of times. These “expression lines,” often called frown lines or crow’s feet, are due to the contraction of a muscle under the skin in that area. The Botox will paralyze the muscle, removing the wrinkles and smoothing out lines for a more youthful appearance.
Come in for a cosmetic consultation with a member of our dermatology team to see if Botox Cosmetic treatment is right for you.
FAQs
What is Botox Cosmetic®?
Botox Cosmetic® is the brand name of botulinum toxin type A that has been in use since 1990. Although Botox® is a toxin, there have been no serious side effects since it is used in extremely small amounts and does not spread throughout the body.
How is Botox Cosmetic® administered?
Botox Cosmetic is administered in-office by a practitioner who uses an ultra-fine needle to inject botulinum toxin type A into the glabellar (between the eyes), and/or crow’s feet, around the eyes. The treated areas are cleansed thoroughly and a cold compress is applied for a few minutes before treatment. After the injections, a cold compress is again applied to relieve any discomfort or swelling. Patients are advised to keep their head level for up to 6 hours after treatment. You will see optimal results 3 to 7 days after treatment.
Where can Botox Cosmetic® be injected?
The most common areas to receive Botox Cosmetic® are the frown lines between the eyebrows, the horizontal frown lines, and the crow’s feet.
Does the injection hurt?
When Botox Cosmetic® is injected there is an initial minor sting for a few seconds. Once the injection is complete, there is usually no discomfort.
How long does a Botox Cosmetic® treatment last?
Each treatment usually lasts 3 to 5 months, at which time another treatment is required. After several treatments, the effects of Botox Cosmetic® may begin to last longer, sometimes up to 6 to 8 months. Come in for a cosmetic consultation with a member of our dermatology team to see if Botox Cosmetic treatment is right for you.
About Dysport
The clinically proven wrinkle remover, Dysport® promises a natural look. Dysport® treatment temporarily improves the look of your moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows in a way that suits your style. Dysport® is clinically demonstrated up to 4 months†
In 3 clinical studies of people whose between the brow frown lines were rated “moderate” or “severe” by a doctor before their treatment with Dysport:
30 days after treatment, a majority of patients treated with Dysport (55%, 52% and 60% in each of the 3 studies vs. 0% of patients treated with placebo) and their doctors both thought their frown lines improved by at least 2 grades to a rating of “none” or “mild” at maximum frown
30 days after treatment, the majority of patients treated with Dysport (88%, 85% and 86% in each of the 3 studies vs. 4%, 4% and 0%, respectively, of patients treated with placebo) had their frown lines rated by a doctor as “none” or “mild” with at least a 1-grade improvement at maximum frown
30 days after treatment, the majority of patients treated with Dysport (74%, 79% and 82% in each of the 3 studies vs. 9%, 1% and 2%, respectively, of patients treated with placebo) rated their own frown lines as “none” or “mild” with at least a 1-grade improvement at maximum frown
FAQs
What to Expect After Dysport Treatment?
After your Dysport® injections you can typically expect to have a bit of temporary swelling at the injection sites. Transient bruising is not uncommon (we have several techniques to try to minimize this). Slight tenderness may also occur and occasionally a mild transient headache may occur.
What Other Areas Can Dysport® Be Used For?
Originally approved for treating the frown lines between the eyebrows (called glabellar frown lines or sometimes called “eleven lines” since they look like “11″), Dysport® is widely used for other anatomic sites such as crow’s feet and forehead lines. You will need to discuss these off label indications and treatment areas with your injector as well as whether Dysport® is both cosmetically indicated and also that there are no medical issues which would make you an unsuitable candidate for Dysport® before you are injected. So please be sure to give an accurate answer to any questions about your goals for treatment cosmetically as well as answering any questions about your medical history during your pre injection consultation and medical evaluation. Many cosmetic dermatologists use Dysport® for certain areas around the mouth; however, there are significant pros and cons.
Dysport® can also be used for treating certain types of neck lines (the rope like vertical lines on the middle of the neck). Some cosmetic dermatologists and surgeons like to treat various areas around the mouth – although some side effects such as difficulty drinking through a soda straw, difficulty using snorkel/scuba equipment and some other undesirable changes in facial expression are more common even in experienced injector’s hands and so the decision to treat in the area around the mouth requires informed and thoughtful consideration (the fine lines of the upper lip are more commonly treated).
What Are Other Forms of Dysport®?
Other neuromodulators available in the United States for cosmetic use and even more are in use overseas. Some of these will likely become approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in the USA in the near future. The other popular forms currently approved in the USA are called Botox® and Xeomin®. They in most ways appear to act very similarly to Dysport®.
Dysport® has been designated abobotulinumtoxin A, Botox® is named onabotulinumtoxin A and Xeomin® is called incobotulinumtoxin A by the FDA in order to indicate there are very small chemical differences in these two forms of the drug. It is important to appreciate that the number of units of Botox® and Xeomin® does not equal the same number of units of Dysport® and thus a conversion factor must be used by the injecting physician or nurse when changing between Xeomin® or Botox® and Dysport®.
About Xeomin®
Xeomin® (incobotulinum toxin) is a prescription medicine which is used to soften or reduce the appearance of moderate to severe lines and wrinkles. Typically it is used on what are termed “lines of facial expression” or “lines of motion” or “dynamic lines”. Commonly patients desire to diminish what they perceive to be a “tired” or an “angry” or an “aging” appearance, although in some cases it is possible to also give a bit of a “lift” to the eyebrow or forehead area as well.
Xeomin® is considered a neuromodulator and it works by blocking nerve signals to the muscles on which the Xeomin® attaches. This causes those muscles to not contract or move for a period of time during which the appearance of these wrinkles or lines is typically significantly diminished. After a period of time – typically three to five months (although your results may vary and be shorter or rarely longer) this effect disappears and the nerve impulses will once again cause the muscles to contract. Retreatment is then required to block the muscle contraction again (although in some cases the muscles may weaken from disuse and the lines that these muscles produce may not appear as severe or deep).
FAQs
How Do Xeomin Treatments Work?
Xeomin® treatments are injected using a tiny needle into the muscles by a physician or skilled nurse injector. There is both a technical component to this treatment (the dose, where to inject, how much to inject, etc.), and there is also an artistic component so that the results obtained are both the most natural possible and also last as long as possible. While some patients prefer the “frozen” look with no movement, we prefer to create a more natural look however we can tailor your treatment to your preferences.
What areas is Xeomin typically used for?
Originally approved for treating the frown lines between the eyebrows (called glabellar frown lines or sometimes called “eleven lines” since they look like “11″), Xeomin® is widely used for other anatomic sites such as crow’s feet and forehead lines. You will need to discuss these off label indications and treatment areas with your injector as well as whether Xeomin® is both cosmetically indicated and also that there are no medical issues which would make you an unsuitable candidate for Xeomin® before you are injected. So please be sure to give an accurate answer to any questions about your goals for treatment cosmetically as well as answering any questions about your medical history during your pre injection consultation and medical evaluation. Many cosmetic dermatologists use Xeomin® for certain areas around the mouth; however, there are significant pros and cons.
Xeomin® can also be used for treating certain types of neck lines (the rope like vertical lines on the middle of the neck). Some cosmetic dermatologists and surgeons like to treat various areas around the mouth – although some side effects such as difficulty drinking through a soda straw, difficulty using snorkel/scuba equipment and some other undesirable changes in facial expression are more common even in experienced injector’s hands and so the decision to treat in the area around the mouth requires informed and thoughtful consideration (the fine lines of the upper lip are more commonly treated).
What to expect after treatment?
After your Xeomin® injections you can typically expect to have a bit of temporary swelling at the injection sites. Transient bruising is not uncommon (we have several techniques to try to minimize this). Slight tenderness may also occur and occasionally a mild transient headache may occur.
Visit Chevy Chase Cosmetic & Dermatology Center
Our team provides thoughtful, expert care for all your skin health needs. We are proud to offer the most advanced general and cosmetic dermatology services in the greater Washington D.C. area. Your best skin awaits.