Let’s talk about your wrinkles. Specifically, let’s talk about how to get rid of them. By the time you reach your 30s, the chances are high that a fine line has popped up here and there, and you may have noticed that those fine lines have deepened and progressed into wrinkles as you continue to age. Is there any way to reduce wrinkles without hugely invasive surgery? At Precision MD in Elk Grove, CA, we know that one of the best wrinkle reducing treatments around is Dysport.
Wrinkle Reducer: How Does Dysport Work?
Dysport is a non-invasive injectable treatment that is used to relax the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Currently, this neurotoxin treatment is the second-most popular injectable treatment for reducing wrinkles in the world, second only to Botox, which has been around longer. However, Dysport itself has a few advantages that Botox does not, such as the fact that this treatment is ideal for mild and moderate fine lines and wrinkles, which are usually the earliest signs of aging.
So, how does this treatment work? Aside from the injections, which will be performed during a simple 30-minute appointment, the real key to your treatment lies in the chemical formula used to reduce and relax your wrinkles.
The Key Ingredient: Botulinum Toxin
The key ingredient for neurotoxin injectable treatment such as this one is botulinum toxin, which is a toxin that is derived from botulinum bacteria. Botulinum toxin has an interesting effect on the human body, particularly the muscles of the human body. When muscles are exposed to botulinum toxin, they lose their ability to receive movement messages from the brain.
This is because botulinum toxin is a neuromodulator that interrupts the communication between your muscles and your motor neurons, which are the neurons that are responsible for transmitting directions to move muscles. When a neuromodulator such as this one is injected into muscles in the face, those muscles will no longer receive directions to make facial expressions, which will relax the muscles and reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles on your skin.
Debunking Certain Myths
One of the biggest myths about neurotoxin treatments such as this one is the idea that using this treatment will mean you are no longer able to move your face. But that’s not exactly the case. Depending on the number of units used and how well you respond to the treatment, you will likely still have a certain amount of movement in your facial muscles – the degree of that movement, however, will likely be somewhat reduced.
Another popular myth is the idea that using this treatment will make you lose the feeling in your face – but that isn’t true at all. The neurons that are responsible for sensation are different than the ones that are responsible for movement, which means there will not be any numbness in your face.
The Possibility of Tolerance
One thing patients do need to be aware of is the possibility of tolerance when this treatment is used. Usually, tolerance occurs when this treatment is used consecutively for many times in a row – for this treatment, some studies suggest the neurotoxin can be used at least 10 times before tolerance occurs.
But what is tolerance? Tolerance is essentially what happens when your body’s immune system learns how to recognize the proteins that are included in the botulinum toxin formula. When tolerance happens, the results of the treatment will not be as effective as before. For this reason, some patients prefer to avoid tolerance altogether by alternating this treatment with Botox or a different neurotoxin treatment.
Calculating Units
Calculating the number of units required for your treatment is also important. Generally speaking, you will need more units of this neurotoxin than Botox because Dysport has a more diluted formula. While the dilution of this formula is what makes it ideal for mild and moderate appearance concerns, it also means that more units will be required to achieve the same results. The trade-off, however, is the fact that individual units of this treatment is cheaper than Botox.
The number of units necessary for your treatment will depend on how many areas of the face you are treating and the severity of the wrinkles there. For example, some patients require between 20 and 40 units of this treatment to address wrinkles on the forehead, while treating crows feet may only require two to five units. We will determine the ideal number of units that will produce your goal results.
What Are the Benefits of a Wrinkle Reducer?
Wrinkle reducers are hugely effective treatments that work for most everybody, regardless of skin tone, type, or even skin condition. Other benefits of this wrinkle reducer include:
Non-Invasive
Non-invasive treatments are easier to recover from and tend to have faster results, as well. One of the most attractive qualities of non-invasive treatment is the fact that there is a low risk of potential scarring from the treatment. For this treatment, in particular, there is virtually no risk of scarring given the small size of the needle used to inject the neurotoxin.
Reliable Results
The results of this treatment are reliable for each treatment, so long as tolerance is not a current risk. You can count on your body having a predictable reaction to the neurotoxin treatment each time. This treatment is also safe, as it has been approved by the FDA for several years to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the skin.
Versatile Use
While the main purpose of this neurotoxin treatment is to relax wrinkles on the face, it’s only in recent years that this treatment has been approved for use on all areas of the face, not just the forehead. Just like Botox, you can use this neurotoxin injectable on virtually every zone of the face, including:
- Horizontal forehead wrinkles
- Frown lines
- Glabellar lines
- Bunny lines
- Wrinkles around the nose and mouth
- Crow’s feet
- Smile Lines
- Chin dimpling
- Lipstick lines
The fact that this treatment can be used on multiple zones of the face means that it’s potentially an all-in-one treatment to address most, if not all, of your cosmetic concerns.
Compatible Treatment
This treatment is also highly compatible with other cosmetic treatments. For example, many patients choose to pair this treatment with dermal fillers to address the loss of facial volume and other wrinkles associated with aging. This treatment can also be easily combined with superficial cosmetic treatments, such as microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, and chemical peels. Some patients even combine this treatment with laser skin rejuvenation or other advanced technology treatments.
Virtually Painless
Broadly speaking, most injectable treatments are not painful. This is partly because they are not very invasive and partly because topical numbing creams are applied to the face before the treatment injections, which ensures that you will be comfortable for the duration of your treatment. Even the aftercare portion of your treatment will not be painful, as most tenderness fades within 24 to 48 hours.
What Should You Expect From Your Treatment?
Your treatment will essentially involve a few injections made into several areas of your face to relax muscles that are creating tension in your face and causing wrinkles to form. Your treatment appointments will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete, which means they can be “lunchtime” appointments that allow you to immediately return to your normal daily activities.
Both before and after your treatment, you will need to follow certain rules to ensure that your results are as desired. For example, you will need to avoid using blood-thinning medications and supplements to lower the risk of swelling and bruising after your treatment. You will also need to avoid using certain skincare products, such as Retinols and other skin active acids. We will provide you with more detailed instructions before and after your appointment.
Results
Your results will be visible within two to three days after your appointment. The results will continue to improve over the next week as the neurotoxin settles into your skin, which means the final results of your treatment should be visible after about seven to ten days.
How Long Will Results Last?
The results of this treatment will last for about three to four months on average. While your first treatment may not last quite as long, usually subsequent treatments last for a bit longer – some patients can even enjoy results for up to five months at a time. Ultimately, how long your results last will depend on how well your body responds to the treatment, as well as whether or not the treatment has been administered to a highly mobile area of the face.
Additionally, how long your results last may depend on your age or the severity of your skin concerns. For example, mature patients may notice that the results of their treatment may not last for a full three months due to how advanced their wrinkles are, while younger patients with milder wrinkle concerns may be able to enjoy longer results.
How Can You Maintain Your Results?
Most patients should have this treatment three to four times a year to enjoy uninterrupted results. Patients have the option of alternating this treatment with another neurotoxin every three to four months or creating a different treatment timeline that meets their cosmetic treatments.
You can also maintain the results of your treatment by using the right skincare products. Ideally, your skincare products should be geared toward anti-aging concerns, which means using products that include ingredients like Retinol, B Vitamins, or hyaluronic acid. Avoiding direct sunlight will also help maintain your results, as unprotected exposure to UV rays will speed up the breakdown of your neurotoxin and also contribute to premature aging.
Are You a Good Candidate?
The vast majority of patients who want to reduce or relax the appearance of their wrinkles are good candidates for this treatment. Female patients should not be currently pregnant or breastfeeding while having this treatment. Patients also should not be allergic to certain drugs, including botulinum toxin. We can further determine your candidacy for this treatment during a consultation appointment.
Reduce Your Wrinkles With Dysport!
You may not be able to stop the aging process forever, but you can slow it down significantly. Wrinkle reducers such as Dysport are a dual-purpose treatment; in addition to reducing and smoothing the appearance of wrinkles, a neurotoxin injectable can also act as a preventative treatment and prevent wrinkles from worsening. If you’re ready to start looking younger, contact Precision MD in Elk Grove, CA to schedule your initial appointment today!
