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What are Neuromodulators?

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Neuromodulators are just one of the many types of cosmetic services used to provide clients with  a smooth, youthful appearance. Never heard of a neuromodulator? If not, we bet you’ve heard of Botox® before, right? Botox® is one type of neuromodulator.

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Defining neuromodulation:

Neuromodulation is defined by the International Neuromodulation Society as, “The alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus, such as electrical stimulation or chemical agents, to specific neurological sites in the body.”

 

Essentially, a neuromodulator is a messenger released from a neuron that affects the transmission of the signals between neurons. This is different than a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are also messengers released from neurons, but they are released to carry a message across a specific junction, called a synapse. The neurotransmitter diffuses across this junction to affect one or sometimes two postsynaptic neurons, a muscle cell, or another effector cell. Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are all types of neuomodulators.

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What Is the difference between Botox, Dysport and Xeomin?

Botox is a drug medical providers have been using for years to treat wrinkles and facial creases. Botox is a brand name of a toxin made by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.  Botox is the term you hear most often because it was the first injectable botulinum toxin.

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Dysport and Botox are both Botulinum Toxin A but are made by different companies. Due to Dysport having less protein than Botox means that this injectable spreads over a wide range better than Botox. This allows for quicker absorption and less needle sticks for such areas like the forehead and armpits.

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Like Botox and Dysport, Xeomin is a botulinum toxin type A, Botox , Dysport and Xeomin work by the exact same mechanism, which is blocking the signals from nerves to muscles, causing the muscles to relax and wrinkles to smooth out.

The "primary difference between the products is that Botox and Dysport  have an accompanying, inactive protein, while Xeomin does not have additives," Rowe says.

Xeomin is a purified form of the neurotoxin; it's manufactured in such a way that it removes accessory proteins from the active ingredient.

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How are they used?

Reduce the appearance of face wrinkles. 

Severe underarm, hand and foot sweating (hyperhidrosis)

Flip a lip up 

Reduce a Gummy smile

Pick up a down turn mouth

Create facial slimming

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How Does they Work?

They block signals from the nerves to the muscles. The injected muscle can't contract. That makes wrinkles relax and soften.

They are most often used on forehead lines, crow's feet (lines around the eye), and frown lines. Botox won’t help with wrinkles caused by sun damage or gravity.

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How are the Procedures Done?

Getting any of these treatments takes only a few minutes. You won’t need anesthesia. The provider uses a small needle to inject Botox into specific muscles with only minor discomfort.

It generally takes 7 to 14 days to take full effect.

It’s best to avoid alcohol starting at least 1 week before the procedure. You should also stop taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications 2 weeks before treatment to help prevent bruising if ok by your medical provider. 

Avoid rubbing the injection site for 24 hours so you don’t spread the Botox to another area. It is recommended to stay upright for 4 hours after the procedure and to take a day off from exercising.

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How Long Do they last?

The effects from all three products vary from 3 to 4 months. As muscle action slowly returns, the lines and wrinkles begin to reappear and need to be treated again. The lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are shrinking.

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